Why Only 7% Keep Their New Year’s Goals (And How to Join Them in 2026)
This will determine whether you join the 7% who ACTUALLY follow through on their new year's goals (spoiler: it’s not your willpower)
👉 The effort required to plan your next task
The more it takes to start working on your goal, the less likely it is to get done.
Why Your Calendar Is Your Secret Weapon
Your calendar does something most productivity tools can't: it forces you to confront reality.
When you time-block a task, you immediately see whether it actually fits into your day. You can't pretend you'll "find time later." This pre-commitment eliminates the overwhelm that stops most people before they begin.
Here are three ways to use your calendar to help you prioritize effectively.
Method 1: Set it and forget it.
Create recurring events and follow them dutifully, adjusting only when something urgent comes up. The more recurrences, the easier it is to say no to distractions. But beware: adapting your schedule as priorities change also becomes more cumbersome if you overuse this method.
Best for: People who crave structure and consistency.
The catch: If your priorities shift, you'll have a rigid schedule that no longer serves you. Use this for your non-negotiables, but don't overdo it.
Method 2: Readjust in batch
Create a weekly recurring event to adjust your schedule based on new priorities. Rather than completing individual tasks, use this time to clarify whether each is still relevant. Then time block each of the week’s tasks. Reserving time for planning neutralizes the dangers of the first method by ensuring your small actions are always congruent with your big goals.
Best for: People who need structure but also flexibility.
The benefit: You get the clarity of Method 1 with built-in adaptability. Your daily actions stay aligned with your evolving priorities.
Method 3: Readjust constantly.
AI schedulers like Reclaim and Motion prompt you to label each task’s priority. They then look at your schedule and find the optimal time for the task, rearranging others as needed. These apps will save you lots of clicks and pondering, but they’ll still require some setup, maintenance, and $
Best for: People managing complex, changing workloads.
The trade-off: These apps cost money ($10-20/month) and require initial setup. But they eliminate hundreds of micro-decisions each week.
The Bottom Line
Find the right trade-off between planning and acting based on your tendencies. If you’re prone to procrasti-planning, focus on setting up something quick and iterating. If you’re more likely to bury your head in the sand without ever reassessing priorities, focus on making time for big-picture planning (#2)
Turning into the type of person who follows through on their promises is really hard, but your calendar can make it a little easier by helping you reconcile your available time with your desired outcome.