How To Make 2026 New Year Resolutions Stick

Before you lock in your 2026 goals, make this one swap—because the research is clear: outcome-based goals don’t work nearly as well as process-based goals.

A recent meta-analysis (a study of studies) shows that goals like “get promoted,” “lose 20 pounds,” or “write a book” often fall apart the moment it’s time to execute. Why? Because outcomes are partly outside your control. But process goals—the habits, systems, and streaks you can actually do—perform far more consistently.

So here’s the simple shift:
✅ Keep the outcome for direction
✅ Commit to the process for results

Examples:
Instead of: “Write a book”
Try: “Write 500 words every weekday.”

Instead of: “Increase sales revenue by 20%”
Try: “Make 5 extra calls per day + send 2 more proposals.”

Because the best goals are the ones you can schedule. If you can’t put it on your calendar, it’s not a goal—it’s a wish.

Try this: Comment your 2026 outcome goal and I’ll help you convert it into a process goal.

//ABOUT DAVID
One of the world’s leading business thinkers, David Burkus’ forward-thinking ideas and bestselling books are helping leaders and teams do their best work ever.

He is the best-selling author of four books about business and leadership. His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into dozens of languages. His insights on leadership and teamwork have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, USAToday, Fast Company, the Financial Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, CNN, the BBC, NPR, and CBS This Morning. Since 2017, Burkus has been ranked as one of the world’s top business thought leaders by Thinkers50. As a sought-after international speaker, his TED Talk has been viewed over 2 million times. He’s worked with leaders from organizations across all industries including Google, Stryker, Fidelity, Viacom, and even the US Naval Academy.

A former business school professor, Burkus holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology from the University of Oklahoma, and a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University.

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