The History of New Year’s Resolutions
It is estimated that 100 million people in the U.S. conjure up the “new year new me” mentality as January reveals itself and the calendar flips over to the new year. The tradition of New Year’s resolutions stretches back thousands of years, steeped in sacred rituals and solemn promises. Over 4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians pledged to their gods to repay debts and return borrowed items as part of their March celebration, marking the planting of new crops. These promises were not mere words—they were sacred vows to ensure favor and prosperity.
Centuries later, in ancient Rome, Julius Caesar’s monumental calendar reform established January 1st as the start of the new year. Romans began offering sacrifices to Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and transitions and made earnest promises to live virtuously, reflecting on the past while stepping into the future with intention.
By the Middle Ages, the practice transformed into a deeply spiritual exercise. People reflected on their shortcomings and resolved to improve themselves, guided by their faith. Resolutions were more than aspirations; they were commitments infused with purpose and reverence.
Fast forward to today, and the sacred weight of resolutions has all but vanished. Despite their hopeful beginnings, modern resolutions often crumble under the pressure of fleeting motivation and distractions. A staggering 80% of people abandon their resolutions by February, leaving behind broken promises in favor of old habits.
What was once a solemn tradition of accountability has become a fleeting gesture—will this year be different? This post will talk about the mindset needed to fulfill your goals, what it takes to stay ahead of 95% of people, and will give practical tips that will help and benefit you in completing your goals for the rest of your life. The final section of this blog will introduce the New Year's Warrior Challenge: “Warrior Challenge 365.”
Mindset
When you set a New Year’s resolution, you’re acknowledging that something in your life isn’t where you want it to be. It’s a signal that you want change. But for that change to happen, your resolution can’t just be a passing thought in the back of your mind—it needs to become a commitment. It’s a promise you make to yourself, and keeping it requires a mindset of action and accountability.
Think about it: if you’ve made a resolution, it means you’re not satisfied with something. Maybe you want to be healthier, more successful, or more organized. Whatever it is, the only way to make it happen is to take action. Change doesn’t come from wishing or waiting; it comes from doing. To stick to your resolution, you need to treat it like a serious promise—not something you’ll get to “if you have time,” but something that matters as much as any commitment you’d make to someone else. Would you break a promise you made to a friend or family? Then why break the promises you make to yourself?
This shift in mindset is powerful. When you see your resolution as an opportunity to improve your life and honor yourself, it becomes more than just a goal—it’s a mission. You don’t have to be perfect every day, but you do need to keep showing up. Progress comes from consistent effort, even when it feels hard or inconvenient.
Success starts in your mind. If you’re serious about making a change, remind yourself daily why it matters. Keep your resolution front and center, and approach it with the determination it deserves. With the right mindset, you can transform your goals into reality.
Staying Ahead of 95% of People
It’s truly not hard to stay ahead of 95% of people. Most people fail simply because they don’t follow through. They make promises to themselves, talk about their goals, and dream of change, but when it’s time to put in the work, they fall back into old habits. If you want to stand out, all you have to do is do what you say you’ll do. Show up for yourself consistently, and you’ll already be miles ahead.
The truth is that most people prioritize comfort over progress. They seek coziness and convenience, choosing the easy path rather than the one that leads to growth. But here’s the thing: nothing truly good or meaningful ever came from staying in your comfort zone. Hard work, dedication, and discomfort are what forge success. It’s in the moments when you push through difficulty, when you step into the unknown, and when you refuse to quit, that real transformation happens.
This doesn’t mean you have to burn yourself out or be perfect every single day. It’s about having the mindset to embrace challenges and show up even when it’s inconvenient. When others are sleeping in, you’re getting started. When they’re making excuses, you’re taking action. It’s not about being extraordinary—it’s about being consistent when others give up.
Think of it like a race: most people stop at the first sign of discomfort, but if you keep going, even at a steady pace, you’ll pass them all. The gap between failure and success is smaller than you think, and it’s bridged by effort and persistence.
In a world that’s obsessed with comfort, be the person who thrives in discomfort. Commit to working hard, showing up, and pushing through. You’ll not only stay ahead of 95% of people—you’ll create a life you’re proud of.
Tips for Achieving Your New Year Goals
Achieving your New Year’s resolutions starts with having a clear plan and breaking your goals into smaller, manageable steps. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to improve your chances is to write your goals down. Studies show that simply writing down your goals increases the likelihood of success by 42%. Kind of a bargain, right? Keeping your goals visible—whether in a journal, on a sticky note, or in your phone—reminds you daily of what you’re working toward and keeps you accountable.
A major reason people fail is that they set goals that are too big and overwhelming. If your goal is to lose 50 pounds this year, break that goal into smaller, more achievable targets. For example, focus on losing 13 pounds each quarter, which is far easier to track and measure. Then, break it down even further into weekly objectives, like losing 1–2 pounds per week. This approach keeps you focused on immediate progress rather than getting lost in the enormity of the big picture.
To stay on track, create a routine for checking in with yourself. Choose a day, like Sunday, to review your progress. Reflect on what went well that week, what didn’t, and what adjustments you can make moving forward. Set a recurring reminder on your phone to ensure this becomes a habit. These weekly check-ins not only keep your goals top of mind but also allow you to celebrate small wins and course-correct as needed.
It’s also crucial to pair your goals with actionable plans. For example, if your resolution is to save $5,000 this year, figure out how much you need to save each month and each week. Identify specific actions to get there, like cutting back on unnecessary expenses, meal prepping instead of eating out, or setting up an automatic savings transfer. The clearer your plan, the easier it is to stick to it.
Tracking your progress is another game-changer. Whether you use a journal, an app, or a simple spreadsheet, consistently recording what you’ve accomplished gives you a sense of momentum and keeps you motivated. Progress, no matter how small, builds confidence and pushes you closer to your goal. BONUS TIP: Lay out your objectives in a To-Do List. Checking a box or crossing out a task gives a hit of dopamine, increasing your motivation to check off more items.
Ultimately, achieving your resolutions isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency. By writing down your goals, breaking them into smaller steps, checking in weekly, and tracking your progress, you can create a system that makes success not just possible but inevitable. Take it one step at a time, and watch how far you can go.
Warrior Challenge 365: One Year, One Habit at a Time
The Warrior Challenge 365 is a transformative, year-long challenge designed to help you build better habits and become the best version of yourself. The challenge is structured into four quarters, each containing three focused months. Each month targets a specific theme: Foundations, Health and Fitness, and Education and Exploration, ensuring a well-rounded approach to personal growth. As you progress, the intensity of these habits increases, allowing you to grow steadily without feeling overwhelmed.
In the first month of each quarter, you’ll focus on creating strong routines and reducing distractions to lay a solid foundation for success. The second month emphasizes health and fitness, with goals like increasing physical activity, hydration, and nutrition. The third-month shifts to education and exploration, encouraging you to expand your knowledge, learn new skills, and try new hobbies. As the quarters advance, habits stack and grow more challenging—for example, a short workout in Quarter 1 becomes a longer, more intense session in Quarter 2, and basic reading evolves into completing chapters or books.
This progressive structure ensures that you’re constantly building on your successes, fostering discipline, and achieving mastery by the end of the year. Whether your goal is improved health, greater focus, or expanding your knowledge, the Warrior Challenge 365 provides the framework for consistent growth and lasting transformation. If you decide to take on the Warrior Challenge 365, post your first new habit on social media with the hashtag #warriorchallenge365
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