New Years Resolutions and the Power of Accountability

It’s January. The tinsel is back in the loft, you’ve sworn you’ll never eat another mince pie (until at least next December), and you’ve invested in a brand-new WHSmiths planner. Maybe you even splashed out on one with inspirational quotes and colour-coded tabs. This year, you tell yourself, you’ll be organised, disciplined and definitely not bribing yourself with Hobnobs to get through the afternoon slump.

Fast-forward to the second week of January. The planner is propping up a wobbly coffee table, the gym bag hasn’t left the hallway, and you’re back to dunking digestives while watching reruns of The Great British Bake Off. So much for “New Year, New Me.”

Why Resolutions Collapse Like a Bad Soufflé

The problem isn’t that we lack willpower, it’s that we’re gloriously, hilariously human.

Common pitfalls include:

Overambition: Going from couch potato to Mo Farah in 30 days. Noble, but unrealistic.
Vagueness: “Be healthier” could mean quinoa salads… or just fewer biscuits with tea.
No accountability: If no one knows about your plan, it’s easy to quit quietly while muttering, “ah well, maybe next year.”
All-or-nothing thinking: One cheeky takeaway and suddenly you’ve “ruined everything” and may as well order dessert too.

Brits, in particular, are experts at this. We’ll apologise to the treadmill for wasting its time, then soldier on with a cuppa.

The Psychology Bit (Made Palatable)

Science says change doesn’t come from giant leaps, but tiny, repeatable steps. Motivation vanishes (usually by 12th January), but structure and accountability stick around.

And having someone to check in on you, a friend, a colleague, or even just that annoying habit tracker app, makes all the difference. Which is why workplaces, schools and community groups are discovering something better than any planner: the power of a great motivational speaker.

Why a Speaker Beats a Dusty Planner

Imagine swapping “New Year, New Me” guilt for an hour with someone funny, inspiring, and practical. A speaker who turns resolutions into actions, shares stories you’ll actually remember.

A brilliant speaker can:

Make the science of habits less “sciencey” and more “oh, that makes sense.”
Share tips you can use straight away (without needing a PhD or a 5am alarm).
Build team spirit so everyone feels they’re in it together.
Spark momentum that lasts longer than your Christmas chocolates.

Speaker Suggestions for Goal-Setting & Accountability

Dr Alison Edgar MBE – The Intrapreneur Mindset
Alison’s sessions are energetic, witty, and full of practical psychology. She shows people how to take ownership at work as if they were running their own business—without the stress of actually doing the tax return.

Sebastian Terry – Live Your List
Seb’s journey began with a list of 100 things he wanted to do after losing a close friend. He’s ticked off most of them, and now inspires audiences to set meaningful goals (ideally more realistic than “climb Everest before February”).

Danny Crates – The 5 Pillars of Performance
Paralympic gold medallist Danny has the perfect mix of grit and good humour. His sessions combine incredible stories with practical takeaways, all designed to help people set goals, stick to them, and avoid the usual mid-January slump.

Reflect, Reset, Repeat

So, maybe this year it’s not about becoming an overnight saint, but about nudging ourselves gently in the right direction. With the right mindset, a dollop of accountability, and possibly a guest speaker who knows their stuff, those resolutions might actually last beyond January payday.

And if they don’t, well, there’s always next year. And another shiny WHSmiths diary.