Why Resolutions Don’t Work
And the One Word That Can Change Everything in 2026
Every December, we’re asked the same question:
“What’s your New Year’s resolution?”
And every year, many of us answer with good intentions and quiet skepticism.
Exercise more.
Work less.
Be more present.
Finally get balance right.
Yet by February, most resolutions fade. Not because we don’t care, but because resolutions often demand perfection, not sustainability.
They ask us to do more, instead of inviting us to live differently.
That’s why, as we head into 2026, I’m not choosing a resolution.
I’m choosing a word.
Why Resolutions Fail (and It’s Not a Discipline Problem)
Resolutions tend to fail for a few predictable reasons:
They’re rigid.
They’re outcome-focused instead of value-driven.
They rely on motivation instead of alignment.
And perhaps most importantly, they don’t account for real life.
As a mental health therapist and someone who works closely with leaders and helping professionals, I see this pattern every year. We set goals without changing the systems, boundaries, or expectations that caused burnout in the first place.
So when life inevitably gets busy: work deadlines, family needs, emotional labor; the resolution becomes another thing we feel like we’re failing at.
That’s not growth.
That’s pressure dressed up as progress.
A Different Approach: Choosing a Word
Instead of asking “What do I want to fix about myself?”
Choosing a word asks something far more powerful:
“How do I want to live this year?”
A word becomes a filter.
A compass.
A grounding point you can return to, especially when life gets noisy.
It doesn’t demand perfection.
It invites intention.
And it meets you exactly where you are.
My Word for 2026: Intentional
This year, my word is Intentional.
Not because it sounds nice.
But because it reflects a very real realization.
Recently, I sat down and did a Givers and Drainers list—something I often encourage clients and teams to do.
On one side: the people, commitments, habits, and environments that energize me, align with my values, and support the life I want to live.
On the other: the things that quietly deplete me—overcommitment, blurred boundaries, saying yes out of obligation, giving energy without replenishment.
What became clear wasn’t that I was doing too much.
It was that I wasn’t always being intentional with where my time and energy were going.
Intentional isn’t about control.
It’s about choice.
What Living Intentionally Actually Looks Like
Intentional living isn’t flashy.
It’s often quiet and uncomfortable.
And it shows up in small, daily decisions.
It looks like:
Saying no sooner, instead of resentfully later
Scheduling rest with the same importance as meetings
Choosing fewer priorities—and honoring them deeply
Letting go of what drains you, even when it’s familiar
Intentionality asks us to slow down long enough to notice:
Is this aligned with the life I’m trying to build—or just the life I’ve been maintaining?
Intentionality at Work
For leaders and professionals, intentionality is especially powerful.
It shows up in how you lead meetings.
How you set expectations.
How you model boundaries for your team.
Intentional leaders don’t just manage tasks.
They manage energy, culture, and sustainability.
They understand that burnout doesn’t come from caring too much—it comes from caring without structure, support, or clarity.
When leaders lead intentionally:
Teams feel safer
Communication improves
Retention strengthens
Culture becomes something people feel, not just talk about
Intentionality at Home
Intentionality matters just as much outside of work.
It’s choosing presence over productivity.
Connection over constant motion.
Alignment over approval.
It’s recognizing that time is finite—and energy even more so.
And that protecting both isn’t selfish.
It’s necessary.
How to Choose Your Word for 2026
If you’re considering this approach, here’s a simple reflection to guide you:
Ask yourself:
What drained me most in 2025?
What gave me energy?
Where did I feel most aligned?
Where did I feel stretched thin or disconnected?
Your word doesn’t need to impress anyone.
It needs to support you.
Some examples:
Grounded
Spacious
Aligned
Brave
Sustainable
Connected
Your word should feel like an exhale—not another expectation.
Let Your Word Be a Practice, Not a Performance
The beauty of choosing a word is that you don’t have to get it right every day.
You simply return to it.
When making a decision, ask:
Is this intentional?
When you feel overwhelmed, ask:
What would intentional look like right now?
Over time, those small check-ins create meaningful change.
A Gentle Invitation Into 2026
As the year comes to a close, my hope for you isn’t that you overhaul your life.
It’s that you approach the next season with clarity, compassion, and choice.
Resolutions try to change behavior.
Intentionality changes how you live.
And that’s where sustainable growth begins.
Here’s to a well-worked life—
One lived with purpose, presence, and intention.
