Happy New Year! How to turn your New Year's resolutions into achievable steps in 2026

Good intentions don't have to be big

Many people start the year with big plans. But those plans are often too vague or too ambitious. This makes it difficult to stick to them and you become disappointed more quickly.

Instead of one big goal, it's better to take small steps. That way, you'll stay motivated and see results faster.

For example:

• Not: "I want to live healthier."
• Well: "I'm going to take two short walks this week."

Small goals provide peace of mind and confidence.

Many good intentions are actually very familiar.

Many good intentions are actually very familiar.

When you look at lists of New Year's resolutions, you see the same themes coming up again and again. Many people want to do the following in the new year:

• Get more exercise
• Better money management
• Experience less stress
• Learning something new

These are not crazy or unrealistic wishes. In fact, they are very understandable goals. But they can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving people unsure of where to start.

It helps to break these resolutions down into smaller steps and translate them into something you can do today or this month.

From good intentions to small steps

You can turn a big resolution into a small, achievable action. That makes it easier to get started and stick with it.

For example:

Get more exercise

Take a short walk every day.

Better money management

List your fixed expenses.

Less stress

Schedule one moment of rest each week.

Learning something new

Orient yourself on a course or training program.

That way, everything stays organized. And if you don't manage to finish it all at once? Then you can just pick it up again later.

Set your goals close by

A good cause is something you can do now or in the near future. Not something for "sometime later." Ask yourself these questions:

• What can I do this month?
• What fits my life right now?
• What doesn't take too much energy for me?

By keeping your goals close, you increase the chance that you will actually achieve them.

Four small successes (that's more important than you think)

Many people focus primarily on what has not yet been achieved. But focusing on what has been achieved helps you move forward.

Here are four small successes you can celebrate this year:

1. You take the first step

Have you thought about what you want? Or made a plan? That's already a success.

2. Keep it simple

You choose one small goal instead of ten big ones. That's realistic and helps you persevere.

3. You ask for help or information

Asking for help is not a weakness, but a sign that you are taking good care of yourself.

4. You look ahead with confidence

Even if you don't know exactly where you want to go yet, it's still valuable to be working on it.

The new year is a good time to reflect

The first few weeks of January are often a little quieter. This is a good time to look back on the past year, think about what you want to keep doing, and decide what you want to change. Not because you have to, but because it can help you start the year with more peace of mind and direction.

Are you a temporary worker? If so, Doorzaam, as a "fund for temporary workers," is happy to help you achieve your health and development goals. Apply for reimbursement for a training course you would like to take, or start one of our "Budget Coaching" or "Less Stress, More Energy" programs . We wish you a healthy, safe, and happy New Year.