How to Make Resolutions That Actually Help

Hey everyone!

As we enter the new year I expect some of you will be making writing-based resolutions. I have a friend who takes a very strong anti-resolution position. His argument goes something like this: many people don’t actually follow through on their resolutions. Most, in fact, give up after two months or so. Instead of setting yourself up for disappointment, just skip the whole thing.

This all seems accurate, and yet, I love New Year’s resolutions. I like having a specific moment to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Here are some things I’ve found to be useful to avoid that mid-February resolution abandonment.

Don’t Make Resolutions You Can’t Control

Don’t put the completion of your resolution in someone else’s hands. This will only lead to frustration if you worked hard and still didn’t get what you wanted. Instead, look at what actionable steps you can definitely take and let that be your victory. Don’t resolve to sell a script; resolve to share a script. Don’t resolve to win a contest; resolve to enter the contest. Don’t resolve to get a job; resolve to make new contacts. You can still have some lofty goal in mind, but focusing on the things you can control will let you appreciate your efforts instead of bemoaning your losses.

Make Your Resolutions Small

You’re not trying to set impossible goals that would shock and amaze your friends; you’re trying to set goals that will lead to a change you want. Make them achievable! If you have a big goal, break it into smaller resolutions. “Write three pages a week” feels do-able. “Write 150 pages before the end of the year” feels like a daunting feat that you definitely can’t do today, but could maybe do tomorrow. Or the day after. Or next month for sure.

Aim for Habits Instead of Achievements

Big achievements are great, and feel special, but good habits are much more durable. Let’s say you write a page a day. At a certain point it’ll just feel like “a thing you do,” like brushing your teeth or feeding your pet. And it’s much easier to keep a small habit going than make big achievements year after year. A page per day. A sketch per week. Thirty minutes for writing regardless of output. A resolution with a built in engine is more likely to keep running after the year is over.

Set Quantitative, Not Qualitative Goals

Qualitative goals are too squishy. Settle for writing “a script” instead of “a good script” because how do you define “good.” Focusing on quality is also a great way to stop work from happening. Quantitative goals are measurable, trackable, and achievable.

Allow for Readjustments and Half-Victories

You’re doing this for yourself. If you resolved to write a sketch every week, but can only write one per month… make that your new resolution. Writing one sketch per month is better than abandoning the whole resolution. Let yourself appreciate and maintain the progress you have and can make, even if it’s not to the extreme you wanted.

Reward Success and Brush Off Failure

Setbacks will happen. It’s not a big deal as long as small lapses don’t derail your whole resolution. Positive reinforcement is more valuable than negative. And sure, the resolution will likely be its own reward… but go ahead and but a reward on top of that reward. Don’t make it something you’re denying yourself; choose a treat that you normally wouldn’t consider. The slightly more expensive whiskey. A massage you wouldn’t usually splurge on. A little day trip. Some way to commemorate your success once you’ve grasped it. And if you don’t find success… there’s always next year.