‘Who’, not ‘Do’: 2024 Resolution Overhaul

This year I’m changing the way I approach new year’s resolutions.

I am rather notorious for setting myself expansive, well-intentioned and organised resolutions and goals for myself, every New Year. And then, within a few months, I either forget about them, or have lost the routine, habit or motivation. 

So, to combat this problem this year, I’m going to be shifting the question slightly: from What do I want to do this year? to Who do I want to become this year?

Its very easy to give up on a new routine or habit when it starts to feel like something you just have to do. But orientating your goals around shaping who you’re becoming, makes the task a stepping stone to achieving something greater than the task itself. The task becomes a building block in the structure of the person you want to be. 

I want to become a fitter person - I therefore workout and eat better.

I want to become a more successful person - I therefore organise my life better and fight procrastination.

These habits and tasks become checkpoints in the journey to becoming the person I want to be. I’m not motivated too well by ‘I want to work out four times a week because that was my new year’s resolution’. I’m much more motivated by ‘I want to work out four times a week because I want to become a fitter, stronger, healthier person’. 

So, if you find yourself constantly fighting an uphill battle to actually complete your new year’s resolutions, maybe shifting the question will help you out.