The New Year is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to set new goals and embrace transformative habits. This blog is about keeping any New Year resolution, small or big.
If there’s one resolution that can revolutionise your personal and professional life, it’s learning to speed read, for example (which I use as an example, but replace it with your new resolution or habits you want to master).
Imagine absorbing books, reports, and emails in record time while retaining the information you need. Speed reading is not just a skill—it’s a game-changer.
Listen to the podcast about speed reading as your 2025 New Year’s resolution…
This year, we’re thrilled to announce the upcoming release of our new book, Speed Reading Faster, on 11 March. Why not make speed reading your New Year’s resolution and commit to pre-ordering the book today? Backed by insights into the power of resolutions, this blog explores how habits, such as speed reading can transform your life and offers tips to help you stick to your goals.
Why New Year’s Resolutions Work (When Done Right)
New Year’s resolutions have long been a tradition, but their success lies in how they’re approached. According to Baumeister and Tierney (2011), willpower plays a critical role in achieving long-term goals, making it essential to structure resolutions in a way that maximises this finite resource. Research has shown that people who make specific, actionable resolutions are significantly more likely to achieve their goals. Norcross, Mrykalo, and Blagys (2002) demonstrated that effective strategies and clear change processes can significantly improve the likelihood of success for New Year’s resolvers. According to a 2020 study published in PLOS ONE, setting clear and measurable resolutions improves adherence rates by 35% compared to vague or undefined intentions.
Committing to any skill or a skill like speed reading is particularly powerful because it’s both measurable and transformative. Every time you pick up a book or tackle a pile of work documents, you’ll see progress and experience the benefits firsthand. Resolutions succeed when they are meaningful or useful, and speed reading has the potential to impact every aspect of your life.
Scientific Insights on New Year’s Resolutions and Habits
Scientific research provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of New Year’s resolutions and the process of habit formation:
- Approach-Oriented Goals Lead to Greater Success: A study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals who set approach-oriented resolutions (aiming to adopt new positive behaviours) had a higher success rate (58.9%) compared to those with avoidance-oriented goals (47.1%), which focus on eliminating undesirable behaviours. See references below
- Habit Formation Takes Time: Research by Lally, van Jaarsveld, Potts, and Wardle (2010) at University College London challenges the myth that habits form in 21 days, suggesting that, on average, it takes about 66 days for a new behaviour to become automatic. This duration can vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the behaviour. (Read more)
- Specific and Measurable Resolutions Enhance Adherence: A 2020 study published in PLOS ONE indicates that setting clear and measurable resolutions improves adherence rates by 35% compared to vague or undefined intentions. See references below
- Support and Accountability Increase Success Rates: Involving friends or family members in your resolution journey can provide the necessary support and accountability to maintain progress. A recent survey found that over two in five individuals plan to involve a “resolution buddy” to help achieve their New Year’s resolutions. (Read more)
Tips from top books on habit formation
Applying Atomic Habits, James Clear’s Concepts to New Year’s Resolutions
Instead of saying, “This year, I’ll learn speed reading, lose weight, write a book, and save money,” you can break it into actionable habits (based on Atomic Habits – read the summary here):
- Weight loss: Walk for 10 minutes after lunch every day.
- Writing: Write one-several sentences daily the first thing in the morning.
- Saving: Transfer automatically £10 to a spacial savings account every Friday (at the end of the year = £550!).
- Speed Reading: Speed-read for 10-20 minutes after lunch every day.
Applying Tiny Habits, Foggs‘ Concepts to New Year’s Resolutions
BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits framework offers a practical, step-by-step approach to forming lasting habits, making it highly applicable to New Year’s resolutions like learning speed reading. For instance, you could anchor speed reading practice to your morning coffee routine by committing to reading just one page using speed reading techniques right after finishing your coffee. Starting small, like focusing on reading a single paragraph with techniques such as minimising reading word by word using a pointer, ensures the habit feels effortless and achievable. Celebrate small wins by acknowledging progress—say to yourself, “I’m improving as a reader…[…whatever new identity you’re forming],” or smile in satisfaction. Over time, you can scale this habit by gradually increasing the number of pages or the duration of practice, such as moving from one page to five pages a day. Creating a distraction-free reading environment, such as turning off phone notifications or practising in a quiet space, will further reinforce the habit and make speed reading a natural part of your daily routine. (read the summary of Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg)
Tips to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution
Making a resolution is easy; keeping it is the real challenge. Here are some top tips to ensure you stay on track:
1. Start Small and Be Consistent
Trying to run a marathon on day one is unrealistic if you can’t do 5K easily. For example, don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to speed read an entire book on day one. Begin with 10-20 minutes each day, gradually increasing as you build confidence. Consistency is key—make speed reading a part of your daily routine.
2. Set Clear Goals
Define what you want to achieve. Use SMART purpose (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Real/relevant, Time-bound). Having measurable goals helps you track your progress and stay motivated. For example, you might aim to read one book per week or finish your work emails in under 15 minutes each day or run for 30min every morning for the next three months to prepare for a marathon.
3. Celebrate Small Wins
Everyday when you achieve something, even small, stop and appreciate it. Each time you complete a book or reach a milestone, take a moment to celebrate. Small rewards keep you engaged and reinforce positive behaviour.
4. **Pre-Order **Speed Reading Faster
Having the right tools and resources is essential for success. Pre-ordering our book not only ensures you’ll have expert guidance at your fingertips, but it also serves as a tangible commitment to your resolution. On Amazon UK / Waterstones/ in the US, Barnes and Noble
5. Join a Community
Accountability is a powerful motivator. Find a buddy who shares your new resolution or mastering a habit. Consider joining a group or speed reading group. You can discuss your progress, share tips, and celebrate milestones together. Join speed reading facebook page
The Value of Speed Reading
Speed reading isn’t just about reading faster; it’s about reading smarter. Here’s how it can add value to your life:
- Save Time: Imagine finishing a book in 20 minutes to an hour or processing emails in minutes or seconds. Speed reading frees up hours that can be used for other priorities.
- Boost Knowledge: Access more information and stay ahead in your personal and professional development.
- Enhance Focus: Speed reading trains your mind to concentrate on key ideas and avoid distractions.
- Increase Confidence: Mastering this skill gives you a sense of accomplishment and a competitive edge.
By pre-ordering Speed Reading Faster, you’re taking the first step towards making these benefits a reality. The book provides proven techniques to accelerate your reading while improving comprehension, making it a must-have resource for your resolution.
Why Pre-Order Speed Reading Faster Now
https://amzn.eu/d/2Nawva4
Pre-ordering Speed Reading Faster is more than just buying a book—it’s a declaration of your commitment to self-improvement. Scheduled for release on 11 March, the book is packed with actionable techniques, real-world examples, and insights that will transform how you read and learn.
Pre-order the book now
For pre-orders in the UK, Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/2Nawva4
By pre-ordering, you’ll also:
- Stay Ahead: Be among the first to access cutting-edge speed reading strategies.
- Lock in Your Resolution: Make a financial and emotional investment in your goal.
- Support Your Progress: Equip yourself with the tools you need to succeed.
In short
This New Year, make a resolution that truly transforms your life. Speed reading isn’t just a skill—it’s a pathway to greater knowledge, productivity, and confidence. With Speed Reading Faster releasing on 11 March, now is the perfect time to commit to your goal by pre-ordering the book.
Don’t let this year pass you by without unlocking your potential. Take the first step today and make speed reading the resolution that changes everything. Pre-order Speed Reading Faster now and join us on this incredible journey of learning and growth.
Not too long to wait… 11 March 2025 and you can have your own copy… order now…
References
- Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the greatest human strength. New York: Penguin Press.
- James Clear, Atomic Habits
- Fogg, BJ, Tiny Habits
- Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. This research highlights that it takes, on average, 66 days for new behaviours to become automatic, offering a realistic framework for building habits. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998-1009.
European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998-1009. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674 - Norcross, J. C., Mrykalo, M. S., & Blagys, M. D. (2002). Auld Lang Syne: Success predictors, change processes, and self-reported outcomes of New Year’s resolvers and nonresolvers. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(4), 397-405. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.1151
- PLOS ONE. (2020). Approach-oriented goals versus avoidance goals in New Year’s resolutions. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0234097
- UCL Blog. (2012). Busting the 21-day habit formation myth. Retrieved from https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/bsh/2012/06/29/busting-the-21-days-habit-formation-myth/
- New York Post. (2025). Do you need a resolution buddy to help keep you on track? Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2025/01/07/lifestyle/do-you-need-a-resolution-buddy-to-help-keep-you-on-track/?utm_source=chatgpt.com