#30 - Happy New Year!
Dec 26, 2023
In this episode, I talk about New Year's Eve plans, New Year’s Eve for single people, and THE midnight kiss. I also talk about setting resolutions and share what mine are for 2024.
How to Set New Year's Resolutions That Actually Stick: A Realistic Guide for Your 20s
Originally shared on the Guyset podcast - a guy's guide to what should be talked about
Why Most Resolutions Fail (And How to Avoid the Trap)
New Year's resolutions get a bad rap, and honestly, they deserve it. Most people set these massive, life-changing goals on January 1st, only to abandon them by mid-February. But the problem isn't with resolutions themselves - it's with how we set them.
Take the Pressure Off New Year's Eve First
Before we dive into resolutions, let's address the elephant in the room: New Year's Eve itself. The pressure we put on this one night is ridiculous. Everyone expects to have the most amazing plans, the perfect kiss at midnight, and the most epic celebration ever.
Here's the truth: it's just another night. This year it falls on a Sunday, which should make it even more obvious that it's not worth stressing over. If you don't have grand plans, don't force them. Have a few friends over, watch the ball drop on TV, and enjoy a low-key evening. You'll wake up Monday morning refreshed instead of hungover, and you can actually enjoy your day off.
The Real Value of New Year's: A Fresh Start Mindset
What I love about New Year's isn't the party - it's the opportunity for reflection and reset. There's something powerful about having a clear marker between one year and the next. It gives you a chance to:
Look back on what you accomplished
Identify what you want to change
Set intentions for the year ahead
Create momentum for positive changes
My Resolution Success Story
When I was 13 or 14, I decided to cut soda completely from my diet as my New Year's resolution. I had my last sip at midnight on New Year's Eve and went cold turkey. I lost significant weight and kept that resolution for the entire year.
That experience taught me that resolutions can work - but only when they're approached correctly.
The Setup-for-Failure Trap
The biggest mistake people make is setting resolutions that are practically guaranteed to fail:
"I'll go to the gym every single day"
"I'll learn French fluently this year"
"I'll journal every day without exception"
These aren't resolutions - they're recipes for disappointment. When you inevitably miss a day or don't see dramatic progress immediately, you feel like a failure and give up entirely.
The Mel Robbins Assessment Method
This year, I discovered a game-changing approach from Mel Robbins: before setting goals, you need to understand where you currently are. I did an honest assessment of different life areas:
Relationships (friends and dating)
Money management
Health and fitness
Career development
Sleep quality
Overall happiness
For each category, I rated myself 1-5, wrote down why I felt that way, and identified what could improve. This gave me a realistic foundation for setting meaningful goals.
My 2024 Resolutions (The Realistic Version)
Based on my assessment, here are my actual resolutions - notice how they're specific but achievable:
1. Stop Scrolling My Phone in Bed
Instead of trying to "get to bed earlier every night" (unrealistic), I'm focusing on one specific habit that directly impacts my sleep quality. This is something I can control regardless of when I actually get to bed.
2. Work on My Posture
I noticed in photos that I look like I'm constantly slouching. Instead of saying "have perfect posture always," I'm going to make tick marks in my notes app whenever I catch myself slouching. This creates awareness without perfectionist pressure.
3. Learn to Type Properly
Embarrassing admission: I'm 23 and still type with two fingers. This feels stupid in professional settings. Instead of "become a typing expert," I'm committing to taking typing lessons a few times per week.
4. Go on More Dates
Rather than setting a specific number, I'm simply committing to saying yes more often when opportunities arise and being more proactive about meeting people.
The Key Principles for Resolution Success
Start Small and Build
Don't try to overhaul your entire life at once. Pick one or two specific habits you can realistically change. Small, consistent changes compound over time.
Focus on Actions, Not Outcomes
Instead of "lose 20 pounds," try "go to the gym twice a week." Instead of "find a girlfriend," try "go on one date per month." You control the actions, not always the outcomes.
Build in Flexibility
Life happens. Instead of "every single day," try "most days" or "3-4 times per week." This prevents the all-or-nothing mentality that kills resolutions.
Track What Matters
Whether it's tick marks for posture or checking off gym sessions, find a simple way to monitor your progress. This creates accountability without being overwhelming.
The Truth About Instant Transformation
Here's what nobody tells you about New Year's resolutions: you can start them any time. The calendar change doesn't magically give you superpowers. The same things that will help you succeed on January 1st will help you succeed on March 15th or August 3rd.
The new year is just a convenient psychological marker. Use it if it motivates you, but don't treat it like it's your only chance at change.
When You Inevitably Slip Up
Because you will. Even with realistic goals, you'll have days when you don't follow through. Here's what to do:
Don't catastrophize: Missing one day doesn't ruin everything
Get back on track immediately: Don't wait until next Monday or next month
Adjust if needed: If your goal truly isn't working, modify it rather than abandoning it
Remember why you started: Reconnect with your original motivation
The Long Game
Real change happens gradually, through consistent small actions over time. The person who goes to the gym twice a week for the entire year will see better results than someone who goes every day for two weeks and then burns out.
Your resolutions should feel challenging but achievable. They should push you slightly outside your comfort zone without setting you up for immediate failure.
Your Resolution Action Plan
Assess where you are now in different life areas
Pick 1-2 specific areas that would most impact your overall wellbeing
Identify small, actionable changes you can make consistently
Create a simple tracking system to monitor progress
Start today - don't wait for January 1st if you're reading this later
The Bottom Line
New Year's resolutions work when they're realistic, specific, and sustainable. Stop setting yourself up for failure with unrealistic expectations. Start with small changes you can actually stick to.
The goal isn't to become a completely different person overnight. It's to become a slightly better version of yourself, one small habit at a time.
Josh shares more insights about goal-setting, habit formation, and practical self-improvement on the Guyset podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday, with bonus episodes on Thursdays starting in 2024.
Ready to set resolutions that stick? Start by honestly assessing where you are now, then choose one small habit you can realistically change. The best resolution is the one you'll actually keep.
Thank you so much for listening this year! Next year is gonna be bigger and better... Subscribe. follow, and like the podcast, give this episode 5 stars, and leave a review! Click HERE to connect with Guyset on Instagram, HERE to connect with Guyset on TikTok, HERE to check out Guyset.com, and HERE to watch the full episode on YouTube. You can reach me on Instagram DMs HERE or email josh@guyset.com. See you next Tuesday in the new year!
