2025 is here! Time always seems to go by so quickly. 2024 is in the books and we have a clean slate for 2025.

The beginning of the year is a good time to reflect on the previous year - What went well? What didn’t go so well? And why? It’s a good idea to write down your thoughts and process.

According to one totally rad web search, the most common New Year’s resolutions include:

• Exercise more
• Lose weight
• Get organized
• Learn a new skill or hobby
• Live life to the fullest
• Save more money
• Quit smoking
• Spend more time with family and friends
• Travel more
• Read more

Studies show that 88% of those who make new year’s resolutions give up within the first 2 weeks, and 95% within the first month! Those aren’t very good statistics. The second Friday of January is actually known as “Quitters Day!”

Here are a few tips that have kept others from succumbing to the overwhelming tendency to quit:

• Be specific: Avoid vague goals like "eat healthier” and instead aim for "eat a serving of vegetables with every meal."
• Set measurable targets: Quantify your goals so you can track progress, like "exercise 30 minutes, 3 times a week."
• Make it achievable: Don't set yourself up for failure with unrealistic expectations.
• Stay relevant: Choose goals that align with your values and priorities.
• Set deadlines: Give yourself a timeframe to achieve your goals.
• Write it down: The act of writing your resolutions helps solidify them in your mind.
• Identify obstacles: Think about what might hinder your progress and plan how to overcome them.
• Break it down: Divide your larger goal into smaller, manageable steps.
• Find an accountability partner: Share your goals with a friend or family member who can support and encourage you.

It’s great to have new beginnings. We get a new start every morning, every week, every month, and every year. But the year is most significant.  We can make 2025 our best year yet! If we choose to.

Sandy K Workman
SK Director of Brand Development