Mailbag: My FAIL-PROOF Trick for 2024 Resolution Success

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted January 23, 2024

“Did you set any New Year’s resolutions? Are there any you’d recommend?”

– Rachel

Hi Rachel,

I have mixed feelings when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions.

On one hand, the start of a new year feels like a fresh beginning—a chance to set ambitious goals and make positive changes in our lives.

The tradition of resolutions taps into that sense of motivation and optimism that MANY of us feel as the calendar resets.

However, I’ve also seen many well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside as the initial enthusiasm wears off.

By February or March, it’s easy for the busyness and stress of everyday life to cause us to lose focus. This can lead to frustration, disappointment, and even feelings of failure.

My tendency with New Year’s resolutions is to choose goals connected to projects and activities I’ve ALREADY started. That way, I’m building on existing momentum rather than starting from scratch.

This year, for example, my two resolutions are to finish writing a series of books I’ve had in the works for several years and to complete a challenging backpacking trail through the mountains of Colorado. (I’ve done sections of the trail previously but have yet to hike its entire length in one trip.)

By choosing resolutions that align with “works in progress,” I feel like I’m setting myself up for a greater chance of success in 2024.

In terms of others making New Year’s resolutions, I recommend a similar approach.

Build on what you’ve already begun, whether it’s related to health and fitness, personal growth, career ambitions, or community service.

We ALL have room for improvement, even if we made some positive strides last year. Reflect on your current habits and behaviors—where could you reasonably take things to the NEXT level in 2024?

• Do you consistently get adequate, high-quality sleep? Lack of sufficient rest can harm mental, emotional, and physical health.
• Do you engage in regular physical exercise that raises your heart rate and builds muscle and bone density? Activity is VITAL for healthy energy levels, disease prevention, and longevity.
• Do you limit heavily processed foods and eat plenty of fresh vegetables? Nutrition is critical to how we feel and function.
• Do you take supplements to fill nutritional gaps that even a healthy diet can fail to meet? Nutrients such as vitamin D, omega-3s, and probiotics create a foundation for well-being.

If you’ve already mastered these basics, congratulations! You’re ahead of the curve.

If one or more represents an opportunity for improvement, make 2024 the year to zero in on those things. Small, sustainable changes in daily habits eventually add up to something transformative.

And THAT’S a resolution we can ALL live with.

P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? CLICK HERE to submit your question and get featured in the weekly mailbag!

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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