As we head into 2026, are you making any New Year’s resolutions? Have you made them in the past? If so, how did they turn out? Can you name one resolution that you have made in the past that you are still keeping today? If you are the type of person that makes that special pledge at the stroke of midnight and for some reason it is forgotten a week later, you are not alone. There are studies that show only 10% of all resolutions are kept the following year. Many people give up the first month and the second Friday in January as often called “Quitters Day”. The key question is, why? Psychologists and Sociologists would have a field day with that one, but I would like to chime in and offer my two cents worth.
The key reason I feel many resolutions fail is that they are made on a whim. They are not given the attention they deserve. They fall under the category of herd mentality and a form of social peer pressure where everyone is making a resolution, and you feel compelled to do as well. I think it is a great idea to quit smoking or to go to the gym three times a week, but why did you feel the sense of urgency to make that promise to yourself on January 1st. Why didn’t you start it yesterday, last week, or 3 months ago? It means more coming from within on your terms and timelines.
Don’t get me wrong I am not suggesting to disregard the whole notion of a New Year’s resolution. This might be the actual time you turned the page and started moving your life in a positive direction. But if you would really like to succeed with this pledge here are some suggestions.
First, put it in writing. It is a commitment to yourself that you are serious. Write out your goal, and how you are going to do it. Put your plan into effect immediately and make it a habit. Second, put reminders in your phone. A constant notification every week to yourself to keep you on track and that you are doing what needs to be done. Third, have someone close to you be your support person to remind you about your promise. This can be your spouse, your children or close friend. Sometimes you can deceive yourself, but it is much harder to look like a failure to those close to you.
Lastly do quarterly reviews. At the end of March, June, and September look back at what you have been doing. Reevaluate what is working and what is not and take corrective action. Finally next December 31 do a year end review and fine tune your resolution for next year.
I will be doing all of this with twopercentgoal.com. My goal is to double my money each year by making two percent per week with swing trading activities. I will review what is working and what is not and fine tune my strategies accordingly. This is my pledge to myself. It is not only my New Year’s resolution but how I choose to live my life each day for 2026. To see how we do it, watch this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/h_bEBhW8MbM
I wish you peace, prosperity and good health for 2026.
Cheers,
Al