January 15, 2026 — As the new year unfolds, many find themselves grappling with the challenge of sticking to their New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s improving fitness, eating healthier, or managing finances better, the struggle to maintain these goals is a common experience. According to research from Australian price comparison site Finder, only 8 percent of Australians are likely to achieve their resolutions, with January 12 often marking the day when most resolutions are abandoned.
The primary culprit behind this trend? Unrealistic expectations. “We often set New Year’s resolutions based on who we want to be, not where we realistically are right now,” explains Sarah Megginson, a personal finance expert at Finder. “Resolutions fail when we aim for perfection instead of progress.” Megginson advocates for setting smaller, more attainable goals. “Whether your focus is health, travel, or finances, lasting progress rarely comes from drastic overhauls. It’s built through small, realistic actions that fit into your everyday life.”
The Rise of Alternative Goal-Setting Methods
This approach aligns with a growing trend among social media content creators who promote alternative ways to set goals. From journaling and theme-setting to creating vision boards, these methods have gained significant popularity online, amassing over 1.6 million examples on TikTok and hundreds of thousands on Instagram.
Another goal-setting trend gaining traction is the use of habit trackers. These tools, which can be as simple as a checklist on paper or as sophisticated as a mobile app, help individuals record whether they’ve performed specific behaviors each day. Dr. Ben Singh, a research fellow in Population and Digital Health from the University of South Australia, describes them as a way to make behaviors more visible and measurable. “Habit trackers turn something automatic and fuzzy into something concrete and measurable,” he notes.
Understanding Habits and Their Impact
Habits, often misunderstood as merely ‘bad’ behaviors like smoking or swearing, are actually more nuanced. “A habit is a learned behavior that becomes automatic through repetition,” says Dr. Scott Pedersen, senior lecturer and director of the UTAS HABIT Laboratory at the University of Tasmania. Recognizing and understanding our habits is crucial, as they can significantly impact our well-being, either positively or negatively.
Pedersen explains, “Habits can be considered good or bad depending on their outcomes. Good habits support health and productivity, such as exercising regularly, brushing your teeth, or planning your day. Bad habits undermine these areas, such as smoking, excessive screen time, or skipping meals.” Habit trackers can be instrumental in reinforcing good habits through positive feedback and highlighting triggers for bad habits. “They support goal achievement by showing incremental progress,” Pedersen adds.
Choosing the Right Habit Tracker
For those interested in adopting habit trackers, the choice between digital and paper formats can be significant. Digital apps like Habitica, Streaks, Productive, Loop Habit Tracker, and Habitify offer features such as reminders and visual summaries of progress. However, they can also become overwhelming or get lost among other notifications. Meanwhile, paper trackers, such as journals or calendars, offer simplicity and customization but rely more on memory and consistency.
Dr. Singh emphasizes that the most important factor is choosing a tracker that you will consistently use. “Consistency matters more than the format,” he advises.
Getting Started with Habit Tracking
Wellbeing and communication coach Gareth Robinson advises starting with just one or two habits to track, ensuring they align with personal goals. “Choosing the wrong ‘good’ habits is a mistake some people make,” he warns. Robinson suggests asking yourself a series of questions to ensure your new habits align with who you want to become.
He also emphasizes the importance of making each habit specific and easy to measure. For instance, opt for “a 10-minute walk” rather than a vague “exercise” goal. Regularly reviewing your goals is crucial for making necessary adjustments.
Ultimately, Dr. Singh encourages approaching habit tracking with self-compassion. “Approach habit tracking with self-compassion; lasting change comes from curiosity and progress, not punishment.”
As the year progresses, embracing these goal-setting trends could be the key to not only achieving resolutions but also fostering long-term personal growth and well-being.
