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You're listening to Life Kit from NPR.

Hey, it's Mariel.

Happy New Year.

Hey, do you remember your resolution from last year?

Yeah, I don't actually remember mine.

If I set one, I think I didn't.

It's common to abandon our New Year's resolutions before the month is up, so I guess it's not surprising that I can't remember either way.

And yet, it is not a bad idea to have goals.

Gretchen Rubin is a writer who explores happiness and good habits.

Research shows, and this is not a surprise, that people who set aims for themselves, specific, manageable

aims for themselves, are more likely to succeed in fulfilling those aims than people who do not do that.

We also know there's power in a fresh start. Birthdays, first days of school, New Year's days,

these can all give people that extra nudge they need to change their behavior.

And just because you gave up on a resolution in the past doesn't mean you should never set one again.

For instance, Gretchen has tried time and time again to meditate because smart people tell her it's good for her.

I am not a person who gets much out of meditation.

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