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How coaching can help you keep New Year’s resolutions

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New Year’s resolutions have been around in some form since 2000 B.C., and the tradition continues to thrive today. While resolutions often start with enthusiasm, the statistics reveal how difficult it is to follow through. According to Insideout Mastery:

  • 38.5% of US adults set New Year’s resolutions every year.
  • 59% of young adults (18–34) are the largest demographic to set these goals.
  • 48% want to exercise more, making it the most popular resolution. The top three resolutions are all health-related, but investing in professional and personal growth matters, too.
  • 23% quit in the first week, and only 36% make it past the first month.
  • Ultimately, only 9% successfully achieve their New Year’s resolutions.

This data underscores a sobering reality: The majority of people (61.5%) don’t make resolutions at all, and of those who do, only a small percentage stick with them. Why, then, do so many of us continue to make these commitments to ourselves, only to feel disappointment when we fail?

The answer lies in the allure of transformation—the desire to start fresh and become the best version of ourselves. However, setting intentions is only the first step. The real challenge lies in sustaining the effort, adapting to obstacles, and maintaining motivation over time. If your goal is to find a new career and you aren’t successful with the first role you apply for, you may need encouragement to stay committed. This is where coaching can play a transformative role.

What is coaching?

Coaching is a thought partnership—a pairing of equals—designed to help people unlock their potential and achieve their goals. Unlike advice-giving or mentoring, coaching focuses on empowering individuals to discover solutions within themselves. It’s about fostering self-awareness, building confidence, and creating actionable steps to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

How coaching helps you keep resolutions

Coaching can significantly improve your chances of keeping New Year’s resolutions by offering:

1. Accountability

One of the main reasons resolutions fail is the lack of external accountability. When you work with a coach, you have someone to help you stay on track. Coaches hold space for you to reflect on your progress, revisit your commitments, and identify obstacles. They don’t let you off the hook, creating accountability with compassion and encouragement.

2. Clarity and focus

Resolutions often fail because they’re too vague or unrealistic. For instance, “I want to get fit” is a common goal, but it lacks specificity. A coach helps you break down your resolution into clear, actionable, and measurable steps. Instead of aiming for “getting fit,” your goal might become:

  • Walk 10,000 steps daily.
  • Exercise for 30 minutes, five times a week.
  • Track progress using a fitness app.

With clarity comes focus, and with focus comes progress.

3. Overcoming barriers

Life happens. Unexpected challenges or self-sabotaging habits often derail resolutions. Coaches help you identify and address these barriers before they become roadblocks. Whether it’s procrastination, negative self-talk, imposter syndrome, or fear of failure, coaching equips you with tools to navigate challenges and stay resilient.

4. Celebrating progress

People often abandon their resolutions because they focus only on the end goal and forget to celebrate small wins along the way. A coach helps you acknowledge your progress, however small, reinforcing your motivation and commitment.

5. Tailored strategies

Every individual is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. Coaching offers personalized strategies that align with your values, lifestyle, and goals. This tailored approach ensures that the changes you make are sustainable and meaningful.

Why invest in coaching for resolutions?

While not all coaches act as strict accountability partners, they excel at creating a safe and supportive environment where you can explore what truly matters to you. They help you discover innovative ways to challenge yourself and improve. By committing to a coaching partnership, you’re investing in more than just achieving a single resolution—you’re cultivating skills and habits that can lead to lasting personal growth.

Imagine looking back at the end of the year and seeing not a list of unfulfilled promises, but tangible progress in areas that matter most to you. That’s the power of coaching.

Whether you are part of the 38.5% who sets resolutions—or the 61.5% who avoids them—consider partnering with a coach. This could be the year you finally break through barriers, achieve your goals, and become part of the 9% who succeed.

At Humanidei, we offer coaching for individuals and teams, through group dynamics, one-on-one coaching, and even cohort coaching. As an International Coaching Federation-certified coach, I specialize in helping credit union professionals unlock their potential and achieve their best selves. If you’re curious about how coaching can support your personal or professional goals, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to explore how coaching might benefit you!

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