Come January 1st many people set New Years Resolutions. Studies show that by mid-February those resolutions are abandoned.
Research shows that new years resolutions often lead to something known as False Hope Syndrome. False hope syndrome is the unfulfilled expectations of self-change. We set a resolution. We believe we will commit to it and follow through. We believe we will experience great change. We may even start strong.
As we begin we have a false sense that change will happen immediately. We don't see the pounds fall off. We don't feel more rested after going to bed earlier. We sneak and eat an unhealthy snack and feel like a failure. We have a false hope that change happens quick and will make us happy right away.
And when we feel we have failed, we give up.
Instead of creating a large, abstract, long, and seemingly impossible resolution, let's goal set.
Goal setting has been found to foster social connection.
Setting a goal triggers the release of dopamine.
Goals give us purpose and motivation (intrinsic motivation).
Goals give the fresh start effect. The fresh start effect motivates individuals to pursue aspirational goals.
The best way to goal set it to make the goal clear and specific.
To help our students (and ourselves) goal set for 2026 I am attaching a worksheet you can utilize. The picture below is an example.
By using one word we have a simple and strait forward goal.
This activity helps explore a word, the meaning of the word, and why that word is being picked. This activity creates depth and understanding. When this activity is done as group we then create the social connection.
Below is a link to the my word of 2026 page. I have also linked a page that has a list of character traits, which could be used to help with finding a word. You could use that page or work as a class to compile a list of your own words that could become the years focus.
What is your word of the year?
