As the clock counts down to 2026, millions across the UK will be preparing their annual pledges for self-improvement. Yet research suggests a stark reality: only about half of New Year's resolutions survive past January, with few lasting a lifetime.
Experts in positive psychology and literature are now advocating for a clever, counter-intuitive strategy to break this cycle of disappointment. They call it the 'old year's resolution'.
Why Traditional New Year's Resolutions Often Fail
According to psychologists, the conventional approach to resolutions is fraught with psychological pitfalls. The pressure of a definitive start date on 1 January can create a fear of failure, turning a stumble into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Furthermore, when progress feels too slow, many people simply abandon their efforts altogether.
This is where the old year's resolution offers a distinct advantage. Instead of waiting for the new year to begin, you start your intended change in the final days of December. This period acts as a low-stakes rehearsal, a dry run where mistakes are not only expected but welcomed as part of the learning process.
"If you've ever rehearsed for a play or played scrimmages, you've used this kind of low-stakes practice to prepare for the real thing," note the experts. This mindset, supported by the work of psychologist Carol Dweck, encourages viewing failure as a natural step toward mastery rather than a sign of incapability.
Benjamin Franklin's Timeless Strategy for Self-Improvement
The concept draws inspiration from one of history's most famous self-improvement pioneers, Benjamin Franklin. Long before achieving fame, Franklin embarked on what he called his "bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection." He focused on mastering 13 virtues, including temperance, frugality, and humility.
Critically, Franklin did not attempt everything at once. He likened his method to a gardener who "works on one of the beds at a time," concentrating on a single virtue before moving to the next. He meticulously tracked his progress in a book, noting his frequent slip-ups without letting them deter him.
"I was surpris'd to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined; but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish," Franklin wrote in his autobiography. His approach reframed self-improvement as a long-term 'project' without a rigid deadline, a perspective that allowed him to persist for years.
How to Implement Your Own Old Year's Resolution
To adopt this method, begin by identifying a change you wish to make, such as eating healthier, exercising more, or saving money. Start enacting this change immediately, before 1 January 2026. Track your successes, celebrating small wins in line with habit expert B.J. Fogg's research.
The key is to remove the pressure. Any misstep in December is merely practice, building your confidence and resilience for the official 'start' of your resolution. This helps avoid 'learned helplessness'—the feeling that failure is inevitable and effort is pointless.
Franklin himself admitted he never reached perfection, but concluded the endeavour made him "a better and a happier man." By starting your project in the old year and viewing self-improvement as an ongoing process, you can sidestep the common pitfalls and create lasting, positive change.
The article was authored by Mark Canada, Chancellor and Professor of English, and Christina Downey, Professor of Psychology, both at Indiana University. It was originally published on Monday 29 December 2025 in The Conversation.
