Following Through on New Year’s Resolutions

As a new year begins, many of us make ambitious resolutions for personal and professional growth. Yet, by February, it’s all too common to feel your motivation fading. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone! 

Following through on New Year’s resolutions is possible and the good news is that with a few actionable strategies, you can stay focused and committed to your professional goals throughout the year. Here are four habits to take to maintain to make this your most productive and growth-filled year yet.

Four Habits to Form to Follow through on New Year’s Resolutions

Clarify your Resolutions! The first step to staying motivated is to clearly define what you want to achieve. Instead of setting vague resolutions like “advance my career,” let’s dive in a little bit deeper about why and how you want to advance your career. Be specific! For example, “Complete a certification in digital marketing by June” or “Master Excel to improve my efficiency at work.” When your goals are specific and measurable, they feel more attainable and you can find more resources that help you follow through on New Year’s resolutions.

Pro Tip: Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. Accomplishing smaller milestones gives you a sense of progress and keeps you motivated to keep going.

Create a Road Map. Once your goals are clear, map out a plan to achieve them. A well-structured roadmap includes timelines, resources, and deadlines to measure progress and professional growth. For example, if you are aiming to learn a new skill, what would be your timeline and resource for doing so? Are there certain resources like online courses or certifications that have certain schedules and deadlines to follow?

Pro Tip: Make sure you are updating your roadmap as you move through your smaller milestones. Take note of how close you are to reaching larger goals and what if anything needs to pivot in order for success to happen. Most of us know that growth isn’t linear, so neither should you think your new year resolutions will progress in a straight line. Allow the roadmap to be adjusted!

Stay Accountable; accountability can make all the difference when it comes to following through on New Year’s resolutions, and goals in general. Share your resolutions with a friend or trusted mentor who can check in on your progress. There are plenty of ways to connect with likeminded professionals to stay accountable, too!

Pro Tip: You might find a lot of success in documenting your professional journey. Use a journal, app, or spreadsheet to track wins and reflect on challenges. Check this list out: 23 Apps That Will Keep You Accountable! The post even categorizes the apps that prioritizes goal setting, wellness, and learning. 

Celebrate the small wins! Motivation thrives on positive encouragement. Every time you hit a milestone, take the moment to celebrate yourself no matter how small the success. Whether it’s submitting a new job application, finishing a module in an online course, or completing your first project using a new skill, these victories build the momentum to encourage yourself to keep achieving success towards your new year resolutions and larger goals.

Common Reasons Resolutions Fail

Many resolutions fail because they are too vague, overly ambitious, or lack a clear plan for implementation. People often set goals without considering the time, effort, or resources required, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm or frustration and ultimately abandoning the goal altogether. Another common pitfall is setting resolutions based on external pressures or trends, rather than personal values, which can result in a lack of genuine commitment. 

Exercise: Set a timer for 5 minutes and write down all your possible resolutions for the new year. Are they broad? Can you realistically achieve them within the year? Do you have a clear plan for how to achieve each one? Do your resolutions really fit your personal growth desires or are you just using the ones people around you say you should? 

Challenges and setbacks are inevitable. Instead of letting them derail progress and distract you from your larger goals, reframe challenges as opportunities to assess what went wrong and how you can adjust to the redirection. Take the time to reconnect with why you set these goals for yourself in the first place. Why do you want to grow professionally? Whether it’s financial stability, personal fulfillment, career advancement or changes, keeping your “why” front and center of your mind can reignite motivation and drive. 

Exercise: Write down your “why” of waiting to achieve a certain New Year’s resolution and place it somewhere you will see it every day—on your desk, your mirror, or even as the background of your phone.

Resources to Help You Stay on Track

Sometimes following through on New Year’s resolutions requires external support, not just willpower. Investment in the right tools, resources, or professional development opportunities can make all the difference in staying motivated and achieving your goals. At Digital Workshop Center, we understand the importance of equipping individuals with the resources they need to succeed.

Our flexible, online certificate programs are designed to fit into busy schedules, making it accessible to pursue new skills and advance your career. From beginner-friendly classes to advanced certifications, we have something for everyone, no matter where you are in your professional journey. We also offer a free professional growth webinar series; This series is a wide collection of valuable resources to our prospective and current students. Through engagement with our expert panels, our webinars help you focus on developing your professional identity and gain more confidence in your skills and abilities. Check out the YouTube playlist: DWC’s Professional Growth Webinar Series 

Following through on New Year’s resolutions doesn’t have to be daunting and investing in yourself now can lead to long-term motivation and success. Ready to upskill in the New Year? Explore our programs here or schedule a 15 minute one-on-one with one of our student advisors here. Let’s make those New Year’s resolutions a reality!