Rutherford County, TN - The start of this New Year is a perfect opportunity to set new goals and plan your personal and professional growth, challenging yourself to try something new or give up something old. While it’s easy to make big New Year’s resolutions, how you set your goals is the key to life-changing results and long-term success.

The reality is that of the 41 percent of adults in America who set New Year’s resolutions every year, a staggering 91 percent don’t follow through on their goals. Unfortunately, most people actually throw in the towel on their New Year’s resolutions by January 12th.

Setting effective resolutions and sticking with them is a challenge. However, you can maximize your chances of success with a well-structured plan. New Year’s resolutions provide a way to set goals for the year and improve your life. Common resolutions include spending more time with family, quitting smoking or drinking, and losing weight.

To be more successful with those resolutions, make your goals clear and achievable. For example, instead of a general goal like "lose weight," set a specific goal such as "exercise three times a week."

Taking up a hobby can be a great way to break old habits and implement lifestyle changes. Reading is also a smart way to gain success.

We also need to help others. You can volunteer at a local charity, organize a community clean-up event, or mentor someone.

And always remember to get enough sleep. Proper rest can help you avoid health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

As we head into the New Year, put your goals in writing. This simple act makes your plans more concrete. Consider these top resolutions for America: (1) Eat better, (2) Exercise more, and (3) Save money.

The beginning of a new year presents the perfect opportunity to launch new habits. While some may not stick, there’s no harm in trying!

Need some inspiration? Read books by classic "positive motivation authors" including Norman Vincent Peale, Napoleon Hill, Stephen Covey, Robert Schuller, and others.

After the holiday season, many have had the chance to reconnect with family and friends they don’t usually spend time with. Why not carry that energy into the next year by resolving to strengthen your relationships? As travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, many are taking this opportunity.

Put more positivity into your life. Incorporate uplifting thoughts from motivational books, alongside healthier food choices and regular exercise, and try to surround yourself with positive people.

Again, make achieving your goals more tangible—put them in writing! Copy this article and refer to it regularly.

Submit your resolution ideas to us through email HERE, or through our anonymous “contact” form. Anonymously, WGNS will share a few of the New Year’s resolutions that listeners share with us! No names, emails or identifying information will be given out. We’ll tell you about the submissions we receive, no matter how normal, how bizarre or how interesting those goals are  -  WGNS will tell you all about them during the week of New Year's (week of Dec. 30, 2024 - Jan. 3, 2025).