New Year, New Goals? Here’s How to Actually Make Them Stick

January is goal-setting season, but let’s face it—most resolutions don’t survive past February. The issue isn’t that your goals are too ambitious; it’s that they aren’t set up for success. And here’s the thing: creating goals that stick is a skill, not a stroke of luck.

When you set a goal, your brain’s executive function skills jump into action. Planning, prioritizing, and breaking that big dream into small, doable steps all depend on the prefrontal cortex. But if the goal feels overwhelming or unclear, your brain might just give up before you even start.

That’s why we created bonus tools like the Goal Brainstorming worksheet and the SMART Goals framework that come with our executive function calendar bundle. They walk you through every step of creating clear, actionable goals that you’re excited to tackle.

Happy 2025!

Here’s the cheat code:

• Start by writing down everything you want to achieve — no filtering, no editing.

• Then, pick a couple of goals to turn into SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

• Finally, build tiny, daily routines that align with your goals. Want to read more books this year? Set a timer for 15 minutes every day and call it “reading time.” Over time, these small habits stack up into big wins.

Remember, goal-setting isn’t about being perfect; it’s about creating a roadmap to where you want to go. So grab those worksheets, dream big, and start the year with intention!