At the start of every year, many of us think about becoming a better version of ourselves. We want more purpose, more fulfillment, and more meaning. And yet, at the very moment when reflection and intention should be most powerful, people often latch onto two strategies that rarely deliver: New Year’s resolutions and bucket lists. Both are popular, both feel important, but both are, frankly, often fruitless. Here’s why—and what to do instead.

According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about three in ten Americans make at least one resolution at the start of the year, with half of those making more than one. Sounds promising until you realize that as few as 8% of people actually follow through. Setting intentions feels good, but the traditional resolution is not a reliable pathway to a more meaningful life.

Over-Optimism. There’s nothing wrong with hope, but the exuberance of the new year can make us overly ambitious. Suddenly, we’re planning to write that great American novel, run a marathon, or completely overhaul our finances. The problem is that these “big audacious goals” often sit on a shaky foundation. Life is busy, energy is finite, and the sheer scale of a resolution can quickly lead to

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