Five Questions to Ask Before You Commit to a New Goal

A simple way to check whether a goal fits your life right now

At the start of a new year, a lot of conversations revolve around New Year’s resolutions. People talk about what they should change, what they want to improve, or what they feel they need to start doing differently in 2026. Often this happens before life has really settled back into its normal rhythm.

When I hear this, I always think about goal setting and something I have written about before. The idea is simple. If you are not at least 80 per cent confident you can give something a real go, it might not be the right time to start.

This does not mean you need to feel motivated or certain. It means being honest about your life as it is right now. Starting something new when you are already stretched, tired, or overwhelmed often leads to frustration rather than change. When the plan falls apart, people usually blame themselves instead of questioning whether the goal was realistic in the first place.

Before jumping into something new, it can help to slow down and ask yourself a few practical questions.

1. Why do I want to do this now?
Is this coming from pressure, guilt, or a feeling that you should be doing more, or does it actually matter to you?

2. What will this really take from me?
Think about your time, energy, and headspace. Even small changes take effort, especially when life is already busy.

3. Do I believe I could stick with this most of the time?
You do not need to do it perfectly. You do need to believe you can keep showing up, even on hard days.

4. What would make this easier to keep going?
This might be planning ahead, getting support, lowering expectations, or making the goal more flexible.

5. How will I treat myself if I struggle?
Change is rarely smooth. Being kind to yourself makes it much easier to continue than being critical.

Sometimes the best decision is not to start something new at all. Holding steady, resting, or focusing on what you are already doing can be just as valuable. Not every season of life is about pushing forward.

If you do decide to begin something new, start small and choose something that fits into your real life, not an ideal one. Sustainable change comes from goals that feel possible, not punishing.

This year, it is okay to wait until you are ready.