The new year is a time to set think about what you want and set goals on how to get there. While fresh starts can happen at any moment, there is something special about a collective time of intention setting.

here's been a big push in recent years to be gentle with ourselves in order to love ourselves as we are. To that end, we've seen more people discouraging the idea of goal-setting and resolutions. While we absolutely advocate for self-love and acceptance, we also stand by the importance of pushing ourselves to be better-- mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and financially. We advocate for growth. And the only way to grow is to get uncomfortable.

Humans have a tendency to lean into the comfort of familiarity. Pushing our bodies or expanding our minds feels uncomfortable and scary, especially if you don't know if you will "fail." We surround ourselves with things that protect us from new ideas and experiences because we want to feel safe; we want to "succeed." And the best way to feel like we've succeeded is by playing it small.

We are here to encourage you to aim big in the new year.

Love yourself, sure, but push yourself, too. Because pushing yourself works! While only 8% of people actually stick to their New Year's resolutions, that's nothing to sneeze at. Out of 209 million adults in American, 8% of people sticking to their resolutions means that almost 17 million people a year actually succeed. That's major. And that could be you.

Let's get into the specifics of why people give up on their goals, and how to set goals that actually work (scientifically!).