How To Hack Yourself

The best New Year’s resolutions you can make

Resolutions that actually work, according to a decision scientist

Happy almost-2023! Chances are that you’re contemplating making some New Year’s resolutions, so let’s get you set up for success with a few resolutions that will unlock the best version of you.

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#1 — Resolve to stop borrowing resolutions

Different people are different, so what works for you might not be what works for anyone else.

Understanding this is the single biggest step you can take in the direction of success. That’s precisely why I’m not going to do the standard guru thing of suggesting you copy my exact wellness plan after proving to you that I have a stack of credentials (I do) and I’m in shape (I am). My plan fits me, but you need a plan that fits you.

Quit borrowing other people’s resolutions

Whenever you’re tempted to copy your favorite celeb’s latest health plan, take a moment to think about some potential reasons that person is able to stick with it (assuming they are) which you might not know about. Do they have a private chef who prevents them from making food decisions? Do they secretly loooove cabbage? Is their job less stressful than yours? And so on.

If you’re following someone else’s plan and you’re struggling to stick with it, don’t beat yourself up.

Pretty soon, you’ll see a stack of reasons not to trust that their approach will fit you. Good. The sooner we crush your belief in hope and magic, the sooner you can get on track to self-improvement. Don’t resolve to stick to someone else’s plan, but do feel free to test-drive their approach (if it’s medically sane) to see if you learn anything about yourself in the process.

Make this your new goal: not to stick with a plan, but to learn something about yourself by trying…