Stop Shaming, Start Aiming...a Case for New Year's Resolutions
KiKi L'Italien
Executive VP of Marketing & Community Engagement | CEO & Editor-in-Chief of Association Chat | Speaker on Technology, Community, and Trust
Some people I admire love to make fun of New Year's resolutions every year, and honestly, it breaks my heart a little. ?? Why the hate for something so full of possibility and hope?
I see the posts, and here’s the deal:
You’re right—making goals just once a year isn’t as good as setting them along the way. BUT HEAR ME OUT—YOU CAN DO BOTH. Actually, you should.
Yes, setting goals throughout the year is better than just once a year. But using January 1st as a starting line doesn’t cancel out the rest of the year. It just adds structure and a spark of momentum!
Scrolling through online debates, it’s easy to see why some people roll their eyes at New Year’s resolutions. Posts like 'I Do Not Believe in the New Year’s Resolution' by Najaf Imran or the ever-popular Reddit threads ask questions like, ‘Why wait for a specific day to make goals?’
Sure, the Gregorian calendar is arbitrary, but it’s the same one we use to schedule everything else—birthdays, taco nights, and dentist appointments. Why not let it double as a checkpoint for growth and fresh ideas?
And here’s the truth: milestones like New Year’s aren’t just arbitrary—they’re functional. They create structure, a sense of renewal, and the momentum you need to tackle big goals.
The real magic happens when you combine annual reflection with continuous goal-setting throughout the year.
Need a little help setting your goals? Here are my 3 best tips from someone who loves setting goals (yes, even at year-end):
1. Actually Give a Damn
If you’re not invested, you won’t stick with it.
Example: I’ve been saying for years that I want to learn to juggle. But truth be told, I just…don’t care that much. So guess what? ZERO progress. Not on my list for 2025.
Instead, focus on the things you’re excited about. It makes all the difference.
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2. Be Specific and Crystal Clear
What does 'get in shape' even mean? A triangle? A hexagon? Having the calves of a wealthy 1700s landowner? The key is to get specific—clarity beats vagueness every time.
For me: I want 10,000 subscribers to the free Association Chat Magazine (shameless plug—it launched in August 2024! Subscribe here!) by the end of 2025. I’ll know I’ve nailed it when I hit that magic number.
Clarity = better accountability. For yourself and others.
3. Take Daily Action
Daily action keeps your goals alive and kicking. No more "Oh yeah, I forgot about that goal from January…" halfway through the year.
Even small steps count. Progress is progress!
So that's it!
I'm KiKi L'Italien, your resolution-loving, planner-hoarding advocate for goal-setting that actually works. You’ll usually find me surrounded by notebooks or talking about how associations can change the world.
If this article resonated with you, here’s how we can keep the conversation going:
1?? What’s your #1 goal for 2025? Drop it in the comments—I’ll cheer you on and might even throw in a tip or two!
2?? Connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram where I’m always sharing practical advice on personal and professional growth. (Well, on Instagram you'll also get just random pictures of daily life...just so you know.)
3?? Kick off 2025 with clarity and momentum! Join our free workshop on Tuesday, January 7th at 2 PM ET: From Resolutions to Results: A 2025 Game Plan for Association Leaders. Perfect for association professionals looking to set goals that actually stick.
Once again, I’m KiKi L’Italien. Let’s check out 2025 together—one goal (and planner) at a time!
Leadership Advisor and Career Strategist on a Mission to Make Work "Work" for You
1 个月Love this KiKi - I agree that the new year is the opportunity for a fresh start and to set new intentions - every year I pick a word that guides the year. This year it’s about presence and being fully present for the people and communities that matter most - like the association chat community!
Love your post. As you note, we're all a little different and some of us love us a little goal-setting process and some of us don't. There's more than one "right way" of living intentionally. I love setting, and revisiting regularly, new year's goals. And your three tips are super helpful in actually reaching them - 1: you need to be deeply invested and excited about your goals (after all, they're yours!) by identifying what you really care about and not just what you "should" care about; 2: you need to be clear about what progress, and not just the final outcome looks like - you can string along your goals for a long, long time; 3: and finally, take action - sometimes any action is better than no action - consistent action for me is how I chunk down my goals and make them manageable and equally important to me, enjoyable. Kiki, thank you for always being generous in your words and your actions - your goal of bringing so much value to our association community is perfectly clear.
Thanks KiKi L'Italien! Agreed! And my twist on the NYR is the 'word for the year'. Each year, when I look back, it amazes me how much the word frames my experiences and feelings. Maybe it's a self-fulfilling awareness... maybe its fate and kizmet conspiring... not sure and it doesn't matter. The word seems to make an impact. Thanks for promoting the NYR and naming it!
With you ??
Chief Communications Officer | AI Enthusiast | Empathetic Leader
2 个月Love this so much, KiKi! I love planning. I like the freshness of a new year (and there's so much energy around growth). We might as well go with it! Professionally, my goal is to build on my 2024 momentum of speaking, teaching, and training associations and their members on AI adoption and engagement. Associations stand to benefit so much from these tools!