Did you know only about 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions each year?
Another surprising figure: 75% of those who set resolutions are still following them after the first week — which means 25% give up that quickly.
Most people don’t get very far with their yearly goals, but that doesn’t mean you have to be part of that majority.
Before you dismiss resolutions entirely, consider this statistic: people who explicitly make resolutions are roughly 10 times more likely to reach their goals than those who don’t. That’s why setting clear, written goals matters — it significantly increases your odds of success.
So let’s make this a great year. Whether your aim is to pay off debt, save more, increase your income, travel more, improve your health, or pursue any other meaningful target, a clear approach will help you follow through.
Below are practical strategies to help you achieve your yearly goals, along with my own goals for the coming year.
Make sure your goal is SMART
Have you heard of SMART goals? Defining goals with this framework makes them far more actionable and realistic.
A SMART goal should be:
- Specific – What exactly do you want to accomplish? Avoid vague statements; clarify what success looks like and why it matters to you.
- Measurable – How will you track progress? Choose clear indicators so you can see whether you’re on track.
- Attainable – Is the goal achievable given your current circumstances and resources?
- Relevant/Realistic – Does the goal align with your priorities? Is it worth the effort?
- Time-bound – When will you achieve it? Set a deadline to create urgency and focus.
Write down your yearly goals
Writing down your goals is a critical step. If you don’t record or regularly review your goals, they can easily slip from memory and lose importance.
Try methods that keep your goals visible and top of mind, such as:
- Starting a blog or journal to document progress;
- Creating a vision board with images and phrases that represent your goals;
- Putting Post-it notes in places you frequent to remind yourself daily;
- Using phone reminders or calendar alerts to prompt action and reflection.
Create a plan to reach your goal
Once you have a clear goal, design a plan that lays out the steps needed to get there. Without a plan, efforts can become unfocused and inefficient.
A useful plan details the sequence of actions, timelines, milestones, what success looks like at each step, and how you’ll measure progress. The more specific and realistic the plan, the easier it will be to follow through.
Keep track of your progress and adjust as needed
Regularly reviewing your progress helps maintain motivation and reveals whether you need to change course. Depending on the goal, you might check in daily, weekly, or monthly.
Tracking progress shows you where you stand, highlights small wins, and uncovers areas that need adjustment. If you find you’re falling behind, tweak your plan: break tasks into smaller steps, reallocate time, or revise expectations to stay moving forward.
Note: if you’re focused on finances, consider using tools that help you consolidate accounts and monitor investments and retirement savings — a clear view of your finances makes planning and adjustments much easier.
Next year’s goals
- Get at least two months ahead on content for my blog. I want to build a buffer of well-researched posts so I’m not rushing when bigger projects arrive.
- Grow the blog and reach more readers. I aim to increase reader engagement, expand reach, and provide more useful content to help others improve their finances and lifestyles.
- Be active every day. Whether it’s a short walk or a long hike, I want daily movement to stay healthy and energized — especially important when living in a small space where sitting for long stretches is tempting.
- Enjoy full-time RV living. We’re planning to put things in storage and live in our RV for the foreseeable future. I’m excited to embrace the adventure and make the most of our first full year on the road.
Below are some favorite photos from the past year. They remind me why goals matter: to create the life you want and make memories along the way.
What are your New Year’s resolutions and yearly goals for this year?