Resetting 2026 Goals

Remember last December, when everything seemed possible in 2026? Sure: You could pick up a new training certificate, finish that project, and send out some job applications—while logging early miles for that early-summer marathon. And do all of it before the end of January. How are those goals going?

If you’re falling behind on your 2026 resolutions, you’re not alone: Forty-one percent of goal-setters already have some goals dead in the water by the end of January, according to Pew Research. “People tend to be optimistic,” says psychologist Kendra Marion, vice president for global assessment services at Korn Ferry. “When making resolutions, they often fail to grasp the complexity.” The question, of course, is what to do now. Experts say that February is the perfect time to retune. Here’s how:

Embrace the calendar mismatch.

Think about it: Early January is not a good time to launch new goals. It’s dark and cold, and many of us are fighting the hunkering-down urge known as “wintering” (also the topic of a popular book by Katherine May). Later in the season is likely a better time for new initiatives. “February 1st may well be a good day to start,” says business psychologist James Bywater, senior client partner at Korn Ferry.

Address the root cause.

Many New Year’s resolutions fail because people haven’t identified the underlying challenges preventing them from addressing, much less achieving, them. For example, why have you not finished that project? Perhaps other commitments are interfering, or you simply don’t have the energy. Recognizing the root cause is critical, says Marion.

Reframe your goal.

A study of 1,066 Swedes and their resolutions found that avoidance goals, like “don’t let emails pile up,” were less successful (47%) than proactive goals (59%), such as “attend ten training sessions” or “acquire three new clients.” Simply put, we’re wired to do things, not not do things.

Break the goal into smaller chunks.

You’ve heard this before—but here’s the pièce de résistance: Attach a realistic timeline to each mini-goal, says Marion. Many goals fail simply because someone thinks they can do something in 10 hours (like writing a chapter) that really takes 100 hours. Timing is, as they say, everything.

Know your ‘why.’

“Figure out the ‘why’ behind the goal,” says Marion. What will achieving this goal provide you? Perhaps you’re seeking less stress, or a useful hiring credential, or a long-awaited accomplishment. Write it down, and post it somewhere visible, to remind yourself why this is important, advises Marion.

Be patient.

Now that you’ve got your new goals in mind for February and beyond, it’s time to be patient. “It’s easy to give up when we don’t see immediate results,” says Marion. Outcomes take time, and for the next while, it’s just a matter of staying the course. 

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