New Year’s resolutions - as well as any other resolution we make throughout the year - rarely fail because of a lack of motivation.

They fail because, more often than not, they are not designed to succeed.

During the hoilday season, somewhere between Christmas cookies and New Year’s Eve champagne, many of us fall into the same annual pattern.

Much of that reflection is triggered by our most recent experiences: too much food, perhaps too much alcohol — maybe even too much family. Other thoughts are sparked by conversations and familiar questions:

Whatever the trigger, this is the time of year when many of us start sentences with:

In short, we genuinely want to be a better version of ourselves.

And when the clock strikes midnight, fireworks explode, glasses clink, and the promise of a clean slate feels irresistible. In that euphoric moment, we confidently declare an ambitious goal.

And yet — most resolutions last a few weeks at best.

But why is that?

If we’re making a promise to ourselves, shouldn’t that be the easiest promise to keep?Or is it, paradoxically, the easiest one to break — because it only affects us?

In a nutshell, it’s because we rarely give enough thought to what it actually takes to make change succeed.

The real problem with New Year’s resolutions is not the goal itself.

The goal is usually perfectly reasonable.

What we underestimate is the effort, structure, and behavioral change required to achieve it.

Whether it’s quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, exercising more, or even reading The Minimum Viable Product newsletter regularly — most resolutions are fueled by a burst of motivation; fueled by alcohol and emotions.

Motivation is helpful. But motivation is not a strategy.

A strategy is required because most resolutions demand a change to our daily routines — and sometimes a fundamental shift in deeply ingrained habits.

And if we don’t understand which behaviors need to change or which new ones must be adopted, we start with a significant handicap.

And if nothing changes in your calendar, your routines, or your environment, nothing will look different in March — no matter how good the intention was in January.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to ensure whatever you choose as a resolution has a high probability of success:

If someone asks you on New Year’s Eve what your resolution is and you haven’t thought about it, it’s better to say “I need to think about that” than to blurt something out.

There are few things worse than committing to something you can’t keep.

If you decide to make a New Year’s resolution, do it like a scout: be prepared.

Set aside time before the New Year to think through what you want to change — and what would actually have to change for you to follow through.

Want to work out more?

When will you do it? Where? At home or at a gym? Is the gym on your way, or does it require a detour? Every bit of friction matters.

When I turned 49, I decided I wanted to be in the best shape of my life before turning 50. Motivation wasn’t the issue — time was.

Between work and family life, regular workouts barely fit into my schedule. So instead of setting a vague fitness goal, I redesigned my routine.

The only realistic option was to start earlier. That meant getting up at 5 a.m., twice a week, to work out.

I consciously decided that this trade-off was worth it.

And if you find yourself thinking, “I don’t have the time or energy to even think this through,” then be honest with yourself: it may not be the right moment to change. That honesty alone is progress.

Whatever you decide to change — choose one thing.

Creating a single new habit is already difficult. Changing multiple habits at once is nearly impossible. (Unless you belong to the IMF.)

Once the habit is established, you can always build on it. There’s no need to wait for the next New Year.

Start small and progress gradually. A 20-minute workout is far more sustainable than jumping straight into two-hour sessions.

The smaller the change, the greater the chance it survives reality.

Consistency beats intensity — every time.

If it’s not scheduled, it’s optional.

And if it’s optional, it will disappear.

This sounds trivial, but it’s remarkably effective — especially for work-related resolutions. A calendar entry turns intention into commitment.

Meaningful outcomes are not visible after a few days or weeks.

If you only measure results, frustration is inevitable.

Instead, measure consistency:

If you can tick those boxes, you are already making progress — and believe me when I say the desired outcome will come sooner than you may have imagined.

If your resolution starts with “This year I’ll try…”, you may already be in trouble.

As a wise, green philosopher once said:

Lasting change requires commitment — and commitment is strongest when the behavior becomes part of how you see yourself.

Want to drink less alcohol, or stop smoking?

You should feel comfortable explaining why you’re not having a drink or joining someone for a smoke — without having to apologize.

If you can’t identify with the new behavior, it may simply not be the right goal.

No matter what you decide to change, remember this: life happens.

You will miss a workout. You will break the routine. That’s normal.

Don’t punish yourself. Just return to the system.

Even better, think ahead about how to compensate when disruptions occur.

For me, that meant always choosing stairs over elevators or escalators — regardless of luggage or inconvenience. Since then, I only take an elevator when absolutely necessary- even at Munich Airport’s Terminal 2 satellite terminal.

Real change doesn’t come from bold declarations made on New Year’s Eve.

It comes from small, boring, repeatable actions executed on an average Tuesday in March.

Or put differently:

Don’t just make a New Year’s resolution.

Design a system you’re willing to run when motivation is gone.

That’s where real change starts.

and so the adventure begins …

If you’ve managed to make a change stick, I’d be interested in what worked for you.

And whether you’re looking for more tips or struggling to get started — feel free to reach out. I’m happy to offer a short, free coaching conversation.

This piece focuses on how to design a New Year’s resolution that has a realistic chance of sticking - but it leaves some important questions open:

These questions touch on how habits are formed, how identity is reinforced, and why systems quietly outperform willpower.

In the New Year we’ll look more closely at what happens after January — when routines reassert themselves, pressure returns, and the fireworks are long gone.