We’ve all set a goal, gotten all hyped up about it, and then…nothing. It’s gone within a few days or weeks. It happens mainly on New Year’s. Unfortunately, by February or mid-January, all your plans to achieve your goals come to an end.
Studies say that only about 8% of people actually stick to their New Year’s resolutions or big personal goals. Eight percent!
I was curious to know what the 8% did differently. How were they following through while the rest of us were falling off? It was indeed not just willpower. Then, what was it?
As I investigated it more deeply, I learned it was about more intelligent systems, clearer priorities, and realistic expectations. Here’s what I’ve learned from the 8% and how I used their methods to stick to my own goals.
1. They focus on the identity shift
When I was at the beginning of my writing journey, I realized I was chasing the wrong goal.
It was to gain massive followers. However, things changed when I shifted my priority of gaining followers to simply understanding what a writer does. I asked myself, “What would a writer do today?” The answer: sit down and write. I must do that every day instead of chasing a goal to increase my followers.
That tiny shift — from outcome to identity — changes everything. When your goal is tied to who you are, not just what you want, it becomes a part of your daily life.
“The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity. It’s one thing to say I’m the type of person who wants this. It’s something very different to say I’m the type of person who is this.”
— James Clear, Atomic Habits.
2. They are specific
The 8% don’t mess around with vague vibes like “I want to get fit” or “I’ll save more money.” Nope, they’re the type to say, “I’m going to run 3 miles every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 a.m.” or “I’ll put $200 into my savings account every paycheck.”
See how precise their goals are? Specificity is their superpower. It’s like giving your brain a GPS instead of just pointing it toward “somewhere over there.”
I once went to a supermarket without knowing what I wanted to get. That’s because I had to wait for a friend. I unconsciously walked around the place without a specific goal, losing track of my purpose in being at the mart. I learned that it becomes more challenging when you aren’t specific about a goal.
3. They keep it simple
Big goals are intimidating. “Lose 50 pounds” or “Write a novel” sounds like climbing Everest in flip-flops. The 8% don’t do that to themselves.
Instead, they break it down into little wins — like “lose 1 pound this week” or “write 300 words today.” It’s less overwhelming, and every step feels like a high-five from the universe.
One of my biggest mistakes was setting overwhelming goals. “Write 2,000 words a day” sounds cool until life happens. I’d miss a day, feel like a failure, and give up. Now, I aim for “500 words a day.” It’s ridiculously doable — even on busy days. And that small daily action compounds into big results.
The 8% don’t rely on motivation. They build systems that are easy to operate, even when they don’t feel highly motivated.
4. They track progress
What gets measured gets managed.
I started tracking my writing streak in a simple Google Sheet. Every day I wrote, I’d mark an X. That little streak motivated me more than any quote or goal ever could.
I do that with my other habits too.
When you can see your progress, it reinforces your identity and builds momentum.
5. They create accountability
When I first started blogging a few years ago, I wanted to publish at least two articles every week. Some weeks were easy, while other weeks were brutal. I couldn’t even publish one article.
I knew I had to do something about it, so I asked my cousin to track the number of articles I published every week. I told him I’d publish an article every Sunday and Wednesday, and if he didn’t see a post from me, I’d give him $100. I never missed a post and published the most articles in the following two months.
The 8% use accountability to stay consistent. It could be a friend, an online community, or even social media. When someone is watching, you show up.
6. They plan for failures
Things can go wrong quickly. Sometimes, you plan something, and it goes the other way.
You must be prepared to overcome the challenge instead of being sad about it and dismissing your goal entirely.
The 8% know that things won’t go perfectly every time. They are aware of the fact that obstacles are inevitable. So, they plan for it. For instance, they won’t react negatively and take it as a temporary setback to their plan. They’ve got a Plan B baked into their goal, like “If I miss my morning run, I’ll do a 20-minute walk after dinner.”
The secret is not to avoid failure but to bounce back quickly.
7. They celebrate small wins
It is crucial to be grateful for what you achieve, no matter how small.
You’ll feel burned out if you wait until the big goal is complete to celebrate.
The 8% are aware of the importance of small wins. They’re doing a happy dance. Wrote 300 words today? They’re treating themselves to a coffee. It’s not about arrogance; it’s about keeping the momentum going.
I remember when I treated myself to a delicious dinner after writing five days in a row. That mini-reward made the process feel joyful — not just like a grind.
Final thought: How to be the 8%?
It’s not easy to achieve your goals just by developing discipline. However, when you design your environment, simplify your process, and become a person who naturally follows through, achieving any goal becomes easy.
You also need to accept that failure is part of the process. It’s crucial to get back up and keep going. If your plan doesn’t work, try something else. Never stop!
Build your identity around your goal. Stop relying on your willpower and start taking action to see real change.
Today, I’m writing consistently, reaching my goals, and (most importantly) enjoying the journey.
And you can too.
Start small. Start today. Be the 8%.
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