Good Life Project The Unresolution: Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail & What Works Instead
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Jan 1, 2026 Discover why traditional New Year’s resolutions often fail and how a kinder approach can lead to real change. Learn about the Unresolution concept, which prioritizes direction and compassionate experiments over rigid goals. Jonathan Fields emphasizes that personal growth doesn’t have to be about perfection. He encourages regular reflections on what works and the value of unfinished projects. Quitting thoughtfully is reframed as a wise choice, making growth feel more attainable and enjoyable.
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Resolutions Are The Wrong Tool
- The traditional New Year resolution is a brittle, all-or-nothing contract with a future self.
- Jonathan Fields proposes the 'unresolution': a gentler container for real human lives that treats goals as experiments.
Pick A Direction Not A Dictate
- Choose a direction (compass heading) rather than a rigid dictate or finish line.
- Phrase it as a movement (e.g., move toward vitality) so you can adapt how to pursue it.
Run Small Time-Bound Experiments
- Run time-bound, modest experiments instead of making absolute edicts about behavior.
- Treat experiments as data-gathering opportunities, then adjust rather than judge yourself.