A New Type of New Year’s Resolution

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The New Year often comes with New Year’s resolutions. These are “promises” we make to ourselves, and perhaps others, to initiate “improvements” in our lives.

Despite being armed with the greatest of intentions, only about 9 percent of people actually follow through and complete their resolutions. Why?

There are myriad reasons why we fail at resolutions made on January 1st. These may include attempting changes that require too much time or energy, or making changes we don’t really believe in (usually changes someone else wants us to make).

So, maybe it’s time for an alternative type of New Year’s Resolution.

An alternative approach to New Year’s resolutions could be resolutions that prepare us for opportunities, rather than specific outcomes. Sounds strange, right? Such an approach is based on the groundbreaking work of John Krumboltz known as Happenstance Theory, which encourages job seekers to engage in exploratory activities and remain alert to alternative opportunities, rather than focusing on only one career path (Krumboltz & Levin, 2004; McCann & Everly, 2024).

It's safe to say that every new year comes with uncertainty. But with uncertainty often comes opportunity. The challenge is that many times those opportunities are disguised or simply unknown. To take the greatest advantage of unknown opportunities, preparation is useful, if not necessary. The philosopher Seneca once noted luck results from the intersection of opportunity and preparation. This aligns nicely with Happenstance Theory, a core tenet of which argues that we should prepare ourselves for the opportunities currently yet to be discovered.

Resolving to Seize Opportunities

But how does one prepare for opportunities yet unknown? Here is a list of potential “New Year Resolutions” that can help.

1. Say “yes” to the unknown. Embrace uncertainty. Uncertainty is sometimes called “the creeping dread,” so it frightens many people away. But it's where real opportunities reside. Be willing to enter situations wherein you have less control than you would normally desire. Fear is not the inevitable consequence of threatening or challenging situations. Rather the unknown can be exhilarating and even motivating.
2. Practice “relentless curiosity.” It is the lifeblood of discovery and growth. Don’t be afraid to ask “Why?” when something doesn’t make sense. And don’t merely acquiesce to complacency; be persistent until the answer is revealed.
3. Overcome self-doubt and complacency with a belief in your own abilities. If you believe you are destined for a better life, so it shall be. And if at first you are unsure of yourself, fake it until you make it.
4. Create supportive networks. The connection to others has consistently been shown to predict health, longevity, opportunity, and resilience. But this is more than collecting “likes” on social media. It’s about nurturing true friendships.
5. Be protean—which simply means be flexible, adapting to new situations. The Greek god Proteus could change his shape to fit in anywhere. You can do the same.
6. Be tenacious, especially in the face of failure. Failure is not a lack of success. Failure is when you stop trying.

In Sum

Making a resolution to be open for growth, happiness, and success in ways yet unimagined can be a new kind of New Year’s Resolution, based on Happenstance Theory. Give it a try. You may be surprised at what you discover. You may be surprised at how “lucky” you become.

© George S. Everly, Jr., Ph.D., 2025