ILLUSTRATION BY RUTH MACAPAGAL
Why do most resolutions fail? And what practical tools can you use to ensure that yours will succeed — both personally and professionally? Every January, countless business leaders alike set ambitious New Year resolutions, brimming with optimism and the promise of a fresh start. Yet, by February, most of these resolutions are left abandoned.
For instance, a study from The Ohio State University notes that 23 percent of people quit their resolutions by the end of the first week, and 43 percent by the end of January. Additionally, Baylor College of Medicine reports that 88 percent of individuals fail to maintain their resolutions within the first two weeks. Overall, it’s estimated that only about 9 percent of Americans successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions—from my global experience, it is not much different in other countries.
This phenomenon isn’t confined to personal goals— business leaders often find themselves similarly derailed, whether in pursuit of personal growth or professional objectives. For CEOs and business owner-operators, staying on course with resolutions isn’t just a matter of personal discipline.
It’s about setting the tone for their teams, driving organizational alignment and ensuring sustainable progress. The stakes are higher, and so is the need to get it right. As a leader, your ability to stay on track doesn’t just impact you—it sets the course for your team and business to thrive.
Why resolutions fail
The reasons behind resolution failure are surprisingly consistent across personal and professional contexts:
- Lack of clarity: Vague goals like “be healthier” or “grow the business” lack actionable specifics.
- No accountability: Without someone or something holding you accountable, it’s easy to let commitments slide.
- Failure to measure progress: What gets measured, gets done. Many resolutions fail because there’s no consistent tracking mechanism.
- Unrealistic expectations: Overly ambitious goals can lead to burnout or frustration when immediate results aren’t achieved.
- Competing priorities: Daily demands and unexpected challenges often push long-term resolutions to the back burner.
How to ensure your resolutions stick
The good news? With the right approach, you can break the cycle of failed resolutions. Here are actionable strategies to ensure your personal and professional goals stay on track:
1. Define clear, specific goals.
I will never forget a Brazilian entrepreneur who asked me and my team to support his company. When I asked him, “what are your goals for the next one to two years?,” he replied, “I want to grow.” I answered, “That is not a goal; that is a wish.”
Instead of vague objectives, set ‘SMART’ goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. For instance, instead of saying, “grow,” aim for, “Grow first quarter revenue by 15 percent through improved customer retention and upselling.” Be even more specific than that – as much as you possibly can.
2. Create accountability systems
On a personal level, accountability is a game-changer. Partner with someone who will hold you to your commitments—this could be a trusted colleague, mentor, or even a professional coach. For example, business leader Indra Nooyi credited her mentor’s tough love for keeping her focused on her long-term goals throughout her career.
3. Measure what matters
Establish clear metrics and review them weekly. Are you on track or off track? Tools like scorecards, KPIs (key performance indicators) and regular check-ins can ensure you’re consistently evaluating progress. Take a cue from Jeff Weiner, former CEO of LinkedIn, who prioritized weekly metrics to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
4. Break goals into smaller milestones
Large goals can feel overwhelming. Break them into manageable steps with short-term deadlines. For example, if your resolution is to improve team engagement, start with one initiative, like conducting a pulse survey within the first month.
5. Anticipate roadblocks and plan for them
Life and business are unpredictable. Identify potential challenges in advance and create contingency plans. For instance, if you anticipate a busy travel schedule, block out specific times for personal goals, like fitness or family, to ensure they don’t get sidelined.
6. Build habits, not just goals
Resolutions often fail because they’re treated as one-time efforts instead of ongoing practices. Make sure you use the power of small, consistent actions. This might mean setting aside 10 minutes each day for strategic thinking or reading to foster professional growth.
Real-world examples of resilience
Some of the most successful leaders employ these strategies to stay on course. Here’s how they do it:
1. Melanie Perkins: Emphasizing small wins
Canva’s CEO, Melanie Perkins, encourages her team to celebrate small milestones along the way to big achievements. For personal resolutions, she applies the same principle by breaking goals into tiny, manageable steps that can be celebrated to maintain motivation.
2. Tim Cook: Prioritizing discipline and daily habits
Apple CEO Tim Cook is known for his discipline, starting his day at 4:30 a.m. to focus on fitness and emails before heading to work. By embedding his personal and professional priorities into his daily routine, Cook avoids the typical pitfalls of falling off track.
3. Howard Schultz: Building resolutions around core values
The former Starbucks CEO grounds his resolutions in his personal values, such as community and sustainability. By linking his goals to something deeply meaningful, Schultz ensures his resolutions are not only impactful but also easier to commit to long-term.
4. Sara Blakely: The founder of Spanx credits much of her success to writing down her goals daily. This practice keeps her focused and ensures that her resolutions don’t fade with time.
5. Mary Barra: Consistency and regular check-ins
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, has emphasized the importance of consistency. She maintains regular strategy reviews to ensure that her teamwork aligns with overarching goals. This habit keeps the organization agile and responsive, especially in the fast-evolving automotive industry.
6. Bill Gates: Measuring what matters
Gates famously tracks his personal and professional progress through regular reviews. Every year, he takes a “Think Week,” during which he reflects on his past goals and measures their success. By prioritizing data-driven results, Gates ensures that his resolutions are realistic and impactful.
Your three to thrive: Key takeaways for success
- Set SMART goals and track progress weekly. Break them down into actionable steps and milestones.
- Leverage accountability. Find someone who will push you to stay the course, whether personally or professionally.
- Build habits that align with your goals. Small, consistent actions will outlast any burst of January motivation.
READ: More ‘Profit Push’
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Tom Oliver, a “global management guru” (Bloomberg), is the chair of The Tom Oliver Group, the trusted advisor and counselor to many of the world’s most influential family businesses, medium-sized enterprises, market leaders and global conglomerates. For more information and inquiries: www.TomOliverGroup.com or email Tom.Oliver@inquirer.com.ph.