It’s the beginning of a new year. I figured I could reach out to you to say something math-y, but instead I thought I would share what’s really on my mind.
Yesterday, I saw this commercial for an Apple watch that struck me. It said that most people quit their New Year’s resolutions by the second Friday in January. It even has a name – “Quitter’s Day.”
While this did not surprise me at all, it got me thinking.
My first thought was, “Yeah, that’s certainly true for me every year since I can remember!” While I think I was able to pull off a little more stamina than the second week of January, I’m also remembering that “go to the gym” hasn’t been checked off today’s to-do list, and I’ve got three really good reasons why it may not happen.
And then my second thought was, “But, why?”
Why do we resolve to make changes and then fail at the follow-through?
I mean, I’m sure the vast majority of these resolutions are good things...
So, why do most people seem to fail at keeping their New Year’s Resolutions?
I’m sure a lot has to do with the actual resolutions we’re making.
We’re setting ourselves up for failure with big blanket statements like, “I’m not overdoing it on chocolate ever again” and unrealistic goals such as “I’m going to exercise every single day for two hours” and unattainable hopes like “I’m going to be chipper and sweet to every single soul I encounter in 2025!”
No wonder our resolutions fizzle so fast! Crazy resolutions rarely work.
But, we don’t fail at everything, right? We all have success stories of goals achieved. So, what’s the difference?
Honestly, I think it has more to do with how we make our resolutions.
I didn’t just wake up one early January morning, jump out of bed and resolve to record 4000+ math videos in the next 60 days. That’s not how this thing we call Nicole the Math Lady came to be.
Instead, I recognized a need, made a plan, made adjustments as needed and got it done. Of course, that is a very simplified explanation of a five-year long process. 😉
But, it was a giant goal and I did make it happen!
So, what if I applied that same process to other things? Would my success rate hold true for other things, both big and small?
And, that’s what I mean by resolutions reimagined.
Think of some sort of success in your life. Something you’ve accomplished. Something you had to work hard for. Something you resolved to do…and did.
The “what” doesn’t matter here. It’s the how.
No matter what it was, think on it for a bit and see if there are ways you can apply what you did to another goal. Even if the goals are vastly different, the person getting it done is the same person. So, how can she replicate her past success?
For me, it’ll be how can I reimagine my goal of eating healthy and losing 50 lbs…for good. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve resolved to do this. One year I even made it all the way through the end of March, but then I got off track and spent the rest of the year trying to find my way back. I’m thinking there is something I can pull from how I started Nicole the Math Lady and apply it to my health.
How about you? What resolution will you reimagine?
Leave a comment and let me know. It would be nice to know that there are a few other people “in process” just like me.
Looking forward to a great, goal-meeting 2025!
– Nicole
You are such a wonderful inspiration and individual-may God continue to Bless you!
Thank you. I receive that!!
You got this Mrs. Nicole! I do not have a resolution yet…but you have just made me want to do one!
Well alright then!
What an encouraging word! And yes, you’re not alone! I have goals that have been on my vision board year after year and others that I have accomplished; some big, some small. It is good to remember the how (and also the why). Thanks for all that you do in making math fun for my son! We are blessed to have found Nicole the Math Lady!
Thank you for allowing me into your home and it’s my pleasure!
I appreciate this. A reminder that I can look back on past successes and follow that pattern for future success.
In fitness we call them SMARTGoals
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time Bound
Thinking of losing 50lbs can be daunting, but thinking of losing 1lb a week is totally doable.
Just like thinking of starting a dance company is overwhelming, but starting one class is doable
Alright…let me know when that first class is!
Thank you Nicole for the news and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you as well!
Thank you Nicole!!!! 😀
You’re most welcome!
Happy 2025 to all!!!
also what you said is very inspiring and I am feeling reinvigorated to Actually do no sweets this year
Nooo sweets?…you are better than me. I’ll send you good energy to make that happen.
That is very encouraging! hope ya’ll finish your goals! (if you have one).👍
Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you
You’re welcome!
This is such a good motivation to complete all my goals for 2025! Thank you Nicole!💕
You’re welcome!
My “goal” for this year is to consistently celebrate the wins each day that are pushing me further toward my health goal. So it’s really a lot more goals embedded in there, but I just have to write down what I did (which makes me want to have something to write down at least 1-3 things each day.” I’ve found that putting that in little steps and pointing out my “wins” is helpful!l
Great inspiration, thank you!
I love it! It gets us sensitized to all the things that we are doing right!
That was very inspiring and I agree that most quit their New Year’s resolutions most of the time in school or church they have us make these goals. I just do them because I have too but now that encouraged me to make new year goals and actually follow them because they can benefit us in so many ways!
Thank you for that inspiring message!😃👏
That’s right…you goals are just for you! Now that’s powerful.