“I’m cutting out sugar for a year.”

“I’m going to the gym five days a week, every week.”

“I’m going to pay off all my credit card debt.”

“I’m going to ask for help when I need it.”

Have you ever made New Year’s resolutions like these — and failed to keep them? If so, you’re not alone. And it’s not your fault. From improving your overall health and well-being to reaching out for the support you need, achieving the resolutions above would be almost impossible for anyone to keep, because they are broad, expansive statements that signify huge change with no real path to get there.

In his best-selling book, Atomic Habits, James Clear describes the problem with this approach this way: “Success is the product of daily habits — not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.” In other words, it’s easy to make a big declaration. But without a plan to get there, it’s unlikely that true change will stick.

Instead, Clear suggests that the best way to achieve change is to build daily habits that move you closer to your goal.
So how does that make a difference in the kinds of New Year’s resolutions we make?

4 Steps To Create Sustainable Change All Year Long

Rather than shooting for the moon — and missing — try a different approach for your resolutions this year. By changing the way you think about your goals, you can also change the outcomes. Marion County Hospital District has a wide range of resources to help you each step of the way.

 

Set specific, achievable goals

“I’m going to pay off all my credit card debt” is a good goal, but it doesn’t tell you what to do to make it happen. If you’re hoping to create better financial habits this year, try starting with a more specific, achievable goal. Extra tip: MCHD’s Community Home Project provides financial education workshops to help you improve your financial well-being and achieve your goals.

For example:

  • I’m going to pay off $200 of credit card debt each month.
  • I’m going to pay off my Visa card by April 1.
  • I’m going to pay $100 on my credit card bills each paycheck.

These goals are more achievable because they say exactly what action you plan to take and when you will do it. It’s much easier to stay accountable to goals like these over time.

 

Create a realistic plan

Having a clear plan is the key to achieving any goal, and New Year’s resolutions are no different. If your resolution is to lose weight this year, don’t just pick a number and treat it like a pass/fail assignment. Instead, identify specific healthy changes you can make on a daily basis. Extra tip: MCHD’s Active Marion Project (AMP) offers free personal and workplace wellness support and diabetes education classes for eligible Marion County residents.

For example, you could write down a series of actions you plan to take:

  • Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
  • Find a walking buddy and walk 3-4 days a week.
  • Cook dinner at home at least five nights each week.
  • Make a healthy lunch to take to work instead of eating out.
  • Remove unhealthy snacks from the house.

With clearly laid out steps, it’s much easier to feel successful. You know what you’re committing to, and you know you’re making healthy changes even if the scale doesn’t move right away.

 

Track your progress

One of the best ways to ensure success is to track your progress daily. Keeping an exercise journal or using a calorie-tracking app can help you stay in tune with the daily choices you make. If things start to get off track, you’ll notice immediately and be able to quickly make a course correction. Extra tip: It’s free to download the Active Marion Project 2 app to track your steps, earn rewards, and join a team to build support.

Find appropriate support
Social support is another important way to remain committed to your change. This is one of the key ideas behind the 12-step program’s approach to addiction recovery. Whether you are resolving to eliminate unhealthy behaviors or develop new, healthy behaviors – or both – having supportive people around you can make all the difference in your success. Extra tip: It’s always a good idea to reach out and get the support you need. Check out Beacon Point services you might be able to use like behavioral healthcare when you need someone to listen.

 

Make 2025 Your Year To Achieve Healthy Change

By breaking New Year’s resolutions down into specific daily actions and surrounding yourself with supportive people, you can transform those lofty goals into achievable reality. And you don’t have to do it alone.

At MCHD, we’re here to help you every step of the way. We offer personal and workplace wellness support, community classes, fitness challenges, fitness and nutrition support for schools, behavioral health services, and family assistance services to help you reach your goals. Visit https://mchdt.org/ to learn how we can help you build sustainable healthy habits this year.