Setting a New Year’s resolution seems to be easy. Anyone can say they will eat healthily, work out or volunteer more, but so many of us struggle to achieve these goals every year. American culture is based on pressure; New Year’s sales are heavily advertised and the start of a new decade means starting fresh. The new year signals change, but also brings disappointment when everyday life stays remains unchanged. 

Achieving goals or resolutions is easily attainable and worth the effort as long as it is pursued in the proper way. 

Some may argue that setting a resolution is pointless, considering they may fail anyway. The people who make this claim are not acquainted with the proper way to set these goals. January Worst explains the proper way to set goals; it is best to start small, have a buddy, keep it simple, and celebrate small victories.

Luckily, failure common among most resolution setters. “About 80 percent of all New Year’s Resolutions are broken by Jan. 31. If that resolution had something to do with health and fitness (working out, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc.), 90 percent will be history by Jan. 15, Resolutions: Tradition of Failure claims. The article adds another shocking statistic, “By the end of the year, less than 5 percent of people will have persevered with their resolutions intact.”

Senior Rhieley Mulder is familiar with the discouraging feeling of a failed resolution and has set them every year since she was young, “My goal is usually to eat healthier. I do well at first, but sometimes when you’re rushing for dinner, it’s easy to just go get fast food.” 

In fact, certain gyms are establishing new policies to ensure that people achieve their goals. Blink Fitness implements setting small goals such as running for five minutes or making a great playlist to exercise to. Their movement is called #ResolutionHappy. “The gym will have paper shredders throughout as members are encouraged to shred their unrealistic resolutions and start the year with easy-to-reach, confidence-boosting goals,” Blink confirmed with confidence toward its approach.

Clearly, setting large, unattainable goals results in disappointment. In order to succeed when setting New Year’s resolutions, start small and celebrate small victories. Now, thanks to places like Blink Fitness, and goal setting tips, New Year’s resolutions are easier than ever to achieve.