New Year's resolutions plan that survives February
Most resolutions are dropped within weeks because they're too big and nobody checks in. This prompt has your todo.is agent turn your wishes into 2 or 3 realistic resolutions, a month-by-month roadmap with a tiny first step, and a check-in on the first of each month that adapts the plan if life gets in the way.
The prompt
- Make me a New Year's resolutions plan for [YEAR]. Things I want to change: [WISHES FOR THE YEAR]. What got in the way last time: [WHAT WENT WRONG BEFORE]. Help me pick the 2 or 3 that matter most and rewrite each as a clear, measurable resolution. For each one give me: a tiny first step for 1 January, a month-by-month roadmap that builds up slowly, a "minimum version" for bad weeks, and how I'll know I succeeded. Make a one-page printable PDF for my wall. On the 1st of every month at 10:00, message me on WhatsApp to check in and suggest that month's focus.
What to change
- [YEAR]: E.g. "2027".
- [WISHES FOR THE YEAR]: Everything on your list, e.g. "lose weight, read more, learn Spanish, spend less on takeaways, call my parents more".
- [WHAT WENT WRONG BEFORE]: E.g. "I started too hard and quit in February", "no time after work".
Example result
- Your 2027 resolutions plan
- Wishes: lose weight, read more, learn Spanish, spend less on takeaways, call my parents more
- Last time: started too hard and quit in February
- The 3 we picked
- "Lose weight" and "spend less on takeaways" share the same fix: cooking more at home. So they become one resolution. "Learn Spanish" moves to next year, so the plan stays small enough to last.
- 1. Cook at home 4 nights a week
- • Measure: takeaways down from 4 to 1 a week; weight checked monthly
- • 1 January: write a list of 5 easy dinners you like
- • January–February: cook 2 nights a week
- • March–April: 3 nights; batch-cook on Sundays
- • May onwards: 4 nights
- • Minimum version: eggs on toast still counts as cooking
- 2. Read 12 books
- • Measure: one book a month
- • 1 January: pick the first book and put it on your pillow
- • Every month: 10 pages a night is about one 300-page book a month
- • Minimum version: 1 page before sleep
- 3. Call my parents every Sunday
- • Measure: 52 calls, or at least 45
- • 1 January: call to say happy new year and agree on Sunday evenings
- • Minimum version: a 5-minute call or a voice note
- Why this works
- • Small first steps you can't fail
- • Slow monthly build-up instead of a big start
- • A minimum version so a bad week doesn't end the resolution
- • A check-in on the 1st of each month to restart if you slip
- Monthly check-in (WhatsApp, 1st at 10:00)
- "February check-in: how many nights did you cook? Books finished? Sunday calls? This month's focus: move to 3 cooking nights and try one new recipe."
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and list everything you'd like to change this year, plus what went wrong before.
- Paste it into todo.is on the Today screen or send it to your agent on WhatsApp.
- You get a wall-ready PDF and a check-in on the 1st of each month.
- Reply honestly to each check-in. Your agent lowers or raises the next month's target to match.
Tips for a better result
- Cut your list to 2 or 3 resolutions. Doing three well beats starting ten.
- Plan for February, not January: that's when motivation drops and the minimum version matters.
- Phrase resolutions as actions you control ("cook 4 nights") rather than outcomes ("lose 10 kg").
- For health or weight goals, check with your doctor before big changes to diet or exercise.
New Year's resolutions plan: FAQ
- Why do most New Year's resolutions fail? They're often vague, too big from day one and never reviewed. Small steps, a clear measure and regular check-ins make them more likely to stick.
- How many resolutions should I make? Two or three is realistic for most people.
- What if I slip in March? Restart with the minimum version. Your monthly check-in will suggest a smaller target to get going again.
- Can I start the plan in the middle of the year? Yes. Say "starting in July" and your agent builds a 6-month plan.
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