--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People come up with resolutions that…" description: "\"People come up with resolutions that don’t reflect what matters most to them, and that makes them almost guaranteed to fail.\" — Kelly McGonigal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/kelly-mcgonigal-20652_christmas_people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don_2422590.jpg" --- # People come up with resolutions that don’t reflect what… ![“People come up with resolutions that don’t reflect what matters most to them, and that makes them almost guaranteed to fail.” quote by Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/kelly-mcgonigal-20652_christmas_people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don_2422590.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/kelly-mcgonigal-20652_christmas_people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don_2422590.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/kelly-mcgonigal-20652_christmas_people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don_2422590.jpg) > “People come up with resolutions that don’t reflect what matters most to them, and that makes them almost guaranteed to fail.” [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Resolutions misaligned with personal values are likely to fail. **In simple terms:** Set goals that matter to you. Key Takeaway Align goals with values. Themes self-improvement goal setting psychology Mood motivational introspective Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - personal planning - coaching - habit formation - performance reviews Key Concepts behavioral economics motivation Questions to Reflect On - What values drive your biggest goals? - How can you test if a resolution reflects true priorities? A Different Perspective People often ignore deeper motivations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Resolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolution/) [Resolutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolutions/) ## Related quotes > [I have a bad history with resolutions! I don't think I have kept up even one of them so far. Once, I promised to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nivin-pauly/i-have-a-bad-history-with-resolutions-i-don-t-think-i-have-kept-up/) [Nivin Pauly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nivin-pauly/) > [I do have a lot of resolutions, but I don't really make them at New Year's much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-griffin/i-do-have-a-lot-of-resolutions-but-i-don-t-really-make-them-at-new/) [Blake Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-griffin/) > [If you try you may fail, if you don't try you're guaranteed to fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/if-you-try-you-may-fail-if-you-don-t-try-you-re-guaranteed-to-fail/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [I love when me and my friends don't know how to make something - there's that risk of failure, which should be there. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-jonze/i-love-when-me-and-my-friends-don-t-know-how-to-make-something-there/) [Spike Jonze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-jonze/) > [In a world that's changing so quickly, you're guaranteed to fail if you don't take any risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/in-a-world-that-s-changing-so-quickly-you-re-guaranteed-to-fail-if/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [“If you mix a negative attitude with chaos and sprinkle a little inconsistency over the top, you are almost guaranteed to fail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-sorrels/if-you-mix-a-negative-attitude-with-chaos-and-sprinkle-a-little/) [Shannon Sorrels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-sorrels/) > [I think we have to be active in teaching our children, and teaching each other. We have to be active about kindness and about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-matthews/i-think-we-have-to-be-active-in-teaching-our-children-and-teaching/) [Dave Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-matthews/) > [I never really have any major resolutions. I do try to be a good person, to be a good mom, to be a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-klum/i-never-really-have-any-major-resolutions-i-do-try-to-be-a-good/) [Heidi Klum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-klum/) > [Within 7 days, 75% of people will have given up on their New Year's resolutions; that's tomorrow. Evaluate yourself. Don't be one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/within-7-days-75-of-people-will-have-given-up-on-their-new-year-s/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [She made a firm resolution, one of the resolutions she was making almost daily these days. No more sleepovers, no more writing poetry, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/she-made-a-firm-resolution-one-of-the-resolutions-she-was-making/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [I dont make resolutions, because resolutions seem so ephemeral and transient to go away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-k-smith/i-dont-make-resolutions-because-resolutions-seem-so-ephemeral-and/) [Ian K. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-k-smith/) > [The U.S. - the idea that the U.S. has introduced and imposed principles of international law, that's hardly even a joke. The United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-u-s-the-idea-that-the-u-s-has-introduced-and-imposed-principles/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I resolve never to make any resolutions because all resolutions are restrictions for the future. All resolutions are imprisonments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/i-resolve-never-to-make-any-resolutions-because-all-resolutions-are/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [“To make 2013 (or any other)your year, keep it simple: 1) Count your blessings first 2) Whatever you did last year, Do it better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo/to-make-2013-or-any-other-your-year-keep-it-simple-1-count-your/) [Pablo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo/) > [There is a fatality about good resolutions – that they are always made too late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/there-is-a-fatality-about-good-resolutions-that-they-are-always-made/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## More by Kelly McGonigal > [“Although dieting is a long standing American pastime, as a method of losing weight it stinks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/although-dieting-is-a-long-standing-american-pastime-as-a-method-of/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“you’re going to abandon in a week, and there’s no scientific consensus about how much exercise you need to do. A 2010 analysis”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/you-re-going-to-abandon-in-a-week-and-there-s-no-scientific-consensus/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [Chasing meaning is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/chasing-meaning-is-better-for-your-health-than-trying-to-avoid/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [Go after what it is that creates meaning in your life and then trust yourself to handle the stress that follows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/go-after-what-it-is-that-creates-meaning-in-your-life-and-then-trust/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“Ask your brain to do math every day, and it gets better at math. Ask your brain to worry, and it gets better at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/ask-your-brain-to-do-math-every-day-and-it-gets-better-at-math-ask/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [The is a secret for greater self-control, the science points to one thing: the power of paying attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/the-is-a-secret-for-greater-self-control-the-science-points-to-one/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [For most of us, the classic test of willpower is resisting temptation, whether the temptress is a doughnut, a cigarette, a clearance sale, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/for-most-of-us-the-classic-test-of-willpower-is-resisting-temptation/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“Stress and meaning are inextricably linked. You don’t stress out about things you don’t care about, and you can’t create a meaningful life without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/stress-and-meaning-are-inextricably-linked-you-don-t-stress-out-about/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“Meditation is not about getting rid of all your thoughts; it’s learning not to get so lost in them that you forget what your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/meditation-is-not-about-getting-rid-of-all-your-thoughts-it-s/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [The development of willpower -I will, I won't and I want- may define what it means to be human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/the-development-of-willpower-i-will-i-won-t-and-i-want-may-define/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [When your mind is preoccupied, your impulses—not your long-term goals—will guide your choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/when-your-mind-is-preoccupied-your-impulses-not-your-long-term-goals/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“Though our survival system doesn’t always work to our advantage, it is a mistake to think we should conquer the primitive self completely.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/though-our-survival-system-doesn-t-always-work-to-our-advantage-it-is/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“is easiest. Consider a smoker who wants to quit. She needs to recognize the first sign of a craving, and where it’s likely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/is-easiest-consider-a-smoker-who-wants-to-quit-she-needs-to-recognize/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“Research shows that people who think they have the most willpower are actually the most likely to lose control when tempted.1 For example, smokers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/research-shows-that-people-who-think-they-have-the-most-willpower-are/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“Case in point: Warnings on cigarette packages can increase a smoker’s urge to light up. A 2009 study found that death warnings trigger stress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/case-in-point-warnings-on-cigarette-packages-can-increase-a-smoker-s/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) [Explore all 30 Kelly McGonigal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) ## More Christmas quotes > [The notion of a non-religious Christmas is ridiculous. But so is the insistence on the part of Christians that politicians and retailers carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/the-notion-of-a-non-religious-christmas-is-ridiculous-but-so-is-the/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-manning/i-once-bought-my-kids-a-set-of-batteries-for-christmas-with-a-note-on/) [Bernard Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-manning/) > [May you have the spirit of Christmas which is Peace, the gladness of Christmas which is Hope, and the Heart of Christmas which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-you-have-the-spirit-of-christmas-which-is-peace-the-gladness-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To my future children; you will know the true meaning of Christmas just not you get gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-my-future-children-you-will-know-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No sane local official who has hung up an empty stocking over the municipal fireplace is going to shoot Santa Claus just before a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-smith/no-sane-local-official-who-has-hung-up-an-empty-stocking-over-the/) [Al Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-smith/) > [A new heart for a New Year, always!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/a-new-heart-for-a-new-year-always/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Santa Claus has nothing to do with it," the latke said. "Christmas and Hanukah are completely different things." "But different things can often blend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/santa-claus-has-nothing-to-do-with-it-the-latke-said-christmas-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For Christmas one year I bought my son a BB gun. He bought me a t-shirt with a bulls eye on the back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/for-christmas-one-year-i-bought-my-son-a-bb-gun-he-bought-me-a-t/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [“Why did he hesitate? He finally admitted to himself that he was like an American child who was almost completely certain about Santa Claus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/why-did-he-hesitate-he-finally-admitted-to-himself-that-he-was-like/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [There seems a magic in the very name of Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/there-seems-a-magic-in-the-very-name-of-christmas/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Heaven? Floating about with everyone you ever knew for eternity? Me family does me 'ed in after one day at xmas, I'd rather be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/heaven-floating-about-with-everyone-you-ever-knew-for-eternity-me/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [Like everyone in his right mind, I feared Santa Claus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/like-everyone-in-his-right-mind-i-feared-santa-claus/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [“I stopped keeping an eye out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve because, when I was five, my mother told me that Santa was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/i-stopped-keeping-an-eye-out-for-santa-claus-on-christmas-eve-because/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [On Hanukkah, the first dark night, Light yourself a candle bright. I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/) [Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/) [Browse all 5,100 Christmas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People come up with resolutions that don’t reflect what matters most to them, and that makes them almost guaranteed to fail.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kelly McGonigal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don-t-reflect-what-matters-most/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christmas" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don-t-reflect-what-matters-most/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/kelly-mcgonigal-20652_christmas_people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don_2422590.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/kelly-mcgonigal-20652_christmas_people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don_2422590.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/kelly-mcgonigal-20652_christmas_people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don_2422590.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People come up with resolutions that don’t reflect what matters most to them, and that makes them almost…” — Kelly McGonigal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kelly McGonigal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "People come up with resolutions that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don-t-reflect-what-matters-most/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/people-come-up-with-resolutions-that-don-t-reflect-what-matters-most/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```