New Year’s Resolutions and Parkinson’s Law: Why Small Goals Work

It’s that time of year again when everyone is making New Year’s resolutions. But here’s the thing: don’t make one. Seriously, save yourself the stress.

Odds are you won’t follow through with your resolution. Why? Because of Parkinson’s Law, which states that "Work expands to fill the available time". In other words, if you give yourself 12 months to reach a goal, you’ll put it off until it’s too late.

Think back to when you were in school. When a project was due in a week, you didn’t start until the last minute. That’s Parkinson’s Law in action. And it applies to New Year’s resolutions, too.

The Solution: Small, Manageable Goals

Instead of a big resolution like “lose 20 pounds,” try setting smaller, achievable goals. For example, start by eating more vegetables at every meal for two weeks. Once you’ve done that, add another small goal, like exercising 30 minutes, four times a week.

By breaking your goal into smaller steps, you’ll build momentum and make real progress, without the pressure of a huge, year-long deadline.

Get Started Today

This year, skip the big resolution and go for small, achievable goals. Break them down into steps, and you’ll see how much you can accomplish.

Need help getting started? Book your free consultation with us here. Let’s make 2025 a year of success—one small goal at a time!