Now that we are well into February, how are you progressing with your resolutions? Are you still on track, or have they already been abandoned?  

Industry News February 20, 2025
NATA team

Despite the enthusiasm many of us feel when setting resolutions, sticking to them can be challenging.   

  • Research from the University of Scranton indicates that only 8% of people achieve their resolutions, while other estimates suggest a success rate of around 20%.   
  • Global research by Strava identifies January 12 as the date when individuals are most likely to abandon their resolutions.   

Here are some tips to revive your resolutions or improve the likelihood of achieving them.   

  • Using SMART goals: Make sure your goals meet the SMART criteria. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time-framed. Instead of a vague aim like “lose weight,” a SMART goal would say “reduce body weight by 10kgs by 31 December 2025.”   
  • Be consistent: Perfection isn’t necessary. If you falter, focus on resuming your efforts promptly rather than dwelling on setbacks. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. 
  • Take it one step at a time: Break larger goals into manageable steps. For instance, if you’re new to budgeting, start by tracking your expenses before moving on to more complex financial planning. Small steps lead to big results. 
  • Use lag and lead measures to track: Monitoring progress is crucial in achieving goals. According to Franklin Covey, a lag measure indicates the success of a goal after it has been achieved, while a lead measure predicts the likelihood of achieving the goal.  
    • Lag Measures: These are in the past, outcome-based, and reflect the end results. For example, kilograms lost each week or number of junk food meals eaten.  
    • Lead Measures: These are predictive actions that influence lag measures. For example, 10,000 steps per day, 2000kcal food intake per day, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times per week. 
    • Focusing on lead measures allows for real-time adjustments and proactive behaviour which increase the chances of achieving the desired lag measures. By concentrating on controllable activities (lead measures), you can directly impact the outcomes (lag measures).  

NATA Education’s Leading Teams course can help you set SMART goals and track your success using lag and lead measures.  

By setting clear, realistic goals and implementing consistent, manageable steps, you can significantly enhance your chances of successfully achieving your New Year’s resolutions in 2025.