What It Really Takes to Follow Through on Your Goals in 2026, According to Experts

There’s a reason most people pick January 1 to start something new. A new year feels like a clean slate, and setting a goal with a full year ahead of you creates a rush of optimism. You can almost taste the outcome before you start. Unfortunately, optimism fades fast. “Studies show that 88 percent of people who set New Year resolutions fail them within the first two weeks,” Dr. Asim Shah, professor and executive vice chair of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Services at Baylor College of Medicine, says.