New Year's resolutions have a famously bad reputation because of their high failure rate. But maybe the problem isn't what ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Alyssa Jaffer is a journalist covering careers, health and lifestyle. Now that 2025 is finally here, you're sure to be asked the ...

Most New Year's resolutions start out with high motivation and good intentions, so why do they always seem to fall flat?

Although it may be counterintuitive, setting goals that are relatively small changes can lead to the greatest success.Photograph: solidcolours/Getty Images/iStockphoto As the new year approaches, so ...

A major health scare is often the strongest motivator for people to make lifestyle changes. Successfully changing long-term habits requires a firm decision rather than simply wanting to change. Making ...

Kendra Pierre-Louis: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Kendra Pierre-Louis, in for Rachel Feltman. Hello and happy new year! I love the first few days of a new year. It evokes a feeling ...

It’s not willpower that helps us stick with a New Year’s resolution. People who stay with their resolution to, say, eat healthier or exercise more find satisfaction in the activity itself, behavioral ...

Maybe your resolution for 2026 is to pay down debt, start your retirement savings, or save for a big ticket item. Maybe you need help with personal finance but don't know where to start. Either way, ...