Eat healthier, workout more, get better grades, the list goes on. With 2024 on the horizon, take some time to think back to January 2023 and the resolutions you made.

Did you keep them? Can you even remember them?

If you answered no to both of these questions, you’re not alone. 43% of Americans are likely to quit their resolutions by the end of January, and 75% of students who responded to an Instagram survey said they didn’t keep their 2023 resolutions. Before you start on resolutions for 2024, try these tips.

Set the right goals

Set approach-oriented goals instead of avoidance-oriented goals. Approach-oriented goals, focused on self-improvement, provide positive motivation for change, which can be more long-term and self-fulfilling. Avoidance-oriented goals, on the other hand, avoid negative outcomes and can become tiring to maintain. These goals can be suitable for short-term goals, such as avoiding sugary food for a month, but are unfit for long-term resolutions and can lead to burnout. People with approach-oriented goals are more likely to meet their resolutions than those with avoidance-oriented goals.

Quality over quantity

Don’t set too many resolutions, at least not in January. Having more goals doesn’t mean more growth, and trying to do too much will prevent you from doing anything. Make a list of all the goals you want to achieve. Then, circle the three most important ones and cross out the rest. Focus on meeting these three goals this upcoming year. And when you meet them, you can add a new goal. This way, you’ll be able to close out 2024 knowing you made real growth.

Break down goals

Make your resolutions convenient for you. The smaller the changes you need to make, the more likely you are to stay on track toward the end goal. Divide big goals into smaller chunks. For example, take improving fitness: the top resolution of 2024. Staying active can be broken into choosing stairs over elevators and escalators, taking longer routes in school or walking instead of lying in bed at home. Smaller changes like these make reaching bigger goals easier.

Anticipate challenges

You’re human, so it’s inevitable that you’ll face struggles while maintaining your goals. While making plans for the new year, expect setbacks. Anticipate the challenges you’ll face for your resolutions and create a backup plan. Don’t be too hard on yourself for missing a workout or eating unhealthy either. The point of New Year’s resolutions is that you’re committed to change and making steps toward self-improvement, not perfection.