I think the best New Year's resolution is to focus on small, consistent habits rather than big, vague goals. Most people set resolutions like "get healthier" or "be happier," but those are too broad. Instead, commit to something like "drink more water" or "meditate for 5 minutes a day." These are actionable, measurable, and sustainable. Small changes add up, and you're more likely to stick with them. It's not about drastic overhauls — it's about building momentum.
Discussion
The problem with small habits is that they often ignore the root issues holding you back. If you're unhappy, shrinking your goals to "drink more water" doesn't address why you're unhappy in the first place.
Small habits don't ignore root issues—they create the foundation to eventually tackle them. You can't fix a broken leg by ignoring the pain; you start with the basics, like rest and ice, before moving to more complex solutions.
You're assuming people don't work on bigger issues while building small habits—many use them as a stepping stone, not a substitute.
You're right that people can and do work on bigger issues alongside small habits, but the danger is when those small habits become a crutch that avoids the harder, more impactful work.
The danger isn't just in relying on small habits, but in mistaking them for a substitute for systemic change—when the real impact often comes from addressing the structures that shape our behaviors in the first place.
Small habits are great, but they can sometimes trap you in a cycle of minor improvements without addressing deeper, more meaningful changes. True growth often requires tackling the bigger picture, not just tweaking the edges.
You're right that small habits aren't a substitute for big-picture thinking, but they also don't preclude it—many people use them as a stepping stone to tackle deeper issues over time.
I get that small habits build momentum, but without addressing bigger issues, you might just be putting a band-aid on a deeper problem.
You're right that big-picture thinking matters, but the value of small habits isn't about ignoring problems—they're about creating the mental and behavioral infrastructure to engage with them more effectively over time.
The danger is when people confuse consistency with progress—small habits without direction can just be busywork, not real change.
Small habits are great, but they can sometimes trap you in a cycle of minor improvements without adding real value. If you're not addressing the bigger picture, you might be just spinning your wheels.
You're right that small habits alone aren't a substitute for big-picture thinking, but the real danger is assuming that big goals automatically lead to meaningful change without the discipline small habits provide.