The Polymath’s Guide to Crushing Your 2025 Goals

Why 91% of People Fail Resolutions (And How to Be the 9%)

Dec 23, 2024

91% of people fail their New Year’s resolutions. Shocking, right?

But you don’t have to be one of them.

Hi, I’m Collin. I’m a CS + Music student at Yale. Over the past few years, I’ve helped thousands of people crush their goals.

Through my YouTube videos, I’ve heard many incredible success stories:

A college student who went from failing to graduating top of their class.
A busy entrepreneur who started working out consistently and lost 30 pounds.
A software engineer who learned a new programming language in just 3 months.

Now, I want to help YOU achieve your biggest goals in 2025.

Let’s talk about why so many New Year’s resolutions fail and how you win.

The Problem: Why 91% Fail Their Resolutions

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, only 9% of people successfully stick to their goals.

Here’s why most resolutions fail:

1. The Goals Are Too Vague

"I want to get fit."
"I want to save money."
"I want to be happier."

These sound great, but they’re not specific. Your brain doesn’t know what to do with them.

2. No System, Just Willpower

Most people think motivation is enough. Pish posh. It’s not.

Willpower is like a battery, it drains. Without a system in place, you’re relying on sheer force of will, which leads to burnout.

3. All-or-Nothing Mindset

Miss one gym session? "Might as well skip the rest of the week."
Eat one cookie? "Guess the diet’s over."

This perfectionist mindset kills progress.

The Solution: How to Actually Stick to Your Resolutions

The good news? There’s a better way. Let me show you step-by-step.

Step 1: Get Specific

Vague goals are useless. You need clear, actionable targets.

Examples:

Instead of "I want to get fit," say: "I’ll work out for 30 minutes, 3 times a week."
Instead of "I want to learn a new skill," say: "I’ll practice piano for 10 minutes every night”
Instead of "I want to read more," say: "I’ll read 20 pages of non-fiction every morning”

Specific goals make it clear what to do and when.

Step 2: Build a System

Motivation is overrated. What you need is a system.

As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says:

"You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."

Here’s how to build one:

Habit Stacking: Attach your new habit to an existing one. For example, after brushing your teeth, do 10 push-ups.
Track Your Progress: Use apps like Notion to log your daily wins.
Create Accountability: Share your goals with a friend or join a group.

Step 3: Embrace Imperfection

You will mess up. It’s inevitable.

The key is to not let one mistake derail your progress.

Research shows that people who are kind to themselves after a setback are more likely to get back on track.

Pro Tip: Follow the "2-day rule."

Miss one day? No problem.
Just don’t miss two in a row.

Secret Bonus Tip: Shape Your Identity

The best way to stick to a resolution? Make it part of who you are.

Don’t just say, "I want to read more." Say, "I’m a reader."
Don’t just say, "I want to get fit." Say, "I’m the type of guy who loves working out”.

When your goals align with your identity, they feel natural.

The Payoff

When you approach resolutions the right way, you won’t just hit your goals—you’ll build momentum in every area of your life.

And that’s the secret:

Resolutions aren’t just about the goal. They’re about becoming the kind of person who succeeds.

The Easiest Way to Crush Your Goals in 2025

Staying consistent and achieving your goals it’s easier with a community of like minded people who hold you accountable. That’s why, if you’re serious about crushing your goals, I’ve got something for you.

I’m creating an exclusive community for the most dedicated people who want to take their results to the next level.

This group will be a space to: