We’ve all been there: January 1st rolls around, and we’re ready to conquer the world. Eat healthier. Save more money. Exercise every day. But by February? That new planner is collecting dust, and we’re dodging the gym like it’s a haunted house.

What if I told you there’s a secret tool to help your New Year’s resolutions stick? You can use math and more broadly a mathematical modeling mindset to set, track, adjust, and actually achieve your goals.

Yes, math—your problem-solving sidekick—can make even the most intimidating resolutions more manageable.

If you want to stick to your New Year’s resolutions this year, math helps you track progress, adjust as you go, and achieve results. Here’s how.

Use Math to Set Measurable Goals

The problem with most resolutions is that they’re vague. “I want to be healthier” sounds great, but what does that actually mean? Are you eating more veggies? Running a marathon? Or just drinking more water? A modeling-mindset begins by identifying what really matters, your assumptions and goals, and clarifying the critical factors involved.

Here’s where math comes in: measurable goals give you clarity. Instead of “I want to save money,” you might say, “I want to save $1,200 this year.” Suddenly, you have a number to work with.

Break Big Goals into Smaller Steps

Now, with your measurable goal it’s time to divide and conquer. Breaking a resolution into smaller, manageable parts makes it feel less overwhelming.

Now let’s break it down. Saving $1,200 in 12 months means saving $100 a month—or about $25 a week. That feels much more doable, doesn’t it? Math takes a big, daunting resolution and turns it into bite-sized steps.

Let’s say your goal is to read 12 books this year. That’s one book a month—simple enough. But what if you’re not a fast reader? Break it down even further: if the average book has 300 pages, that’s 25 pages every three days.

Does 25 pages sound more achievable than “read a whole book”? Absolutely. By using math to divide the work, you can chip away at your goal without burning out.

Use Math to Track Your Progress

Math loves to measure things, and so do we—whether it’s our daily steps, hours slept, or cups of coffee consumed (no judgment!).

When it comes to resolutions, tracking progress keeps you motivated. You can create a simple chart, use an app, or even draw a progress bar on paper. At the heart of a modeling mindset is a desire to represent aspects of complex reality in isolation, and often a visual way is most compelling.

For example, if your goal is to run 100 miles by spring, keep a log or make a chart. After week one, maybe you’ve run 12 miles—great! That’s 12% of the way there. Seeing your progress in numbers makes your success feel real and gives you the push to keep going.

Adjust as You Go

No one is perfect, and math doesn’t expect you to be. Life happens. Maybe you miss a week of workouts or spend a little extra on takeout. Instead of giving up, math lets you adjust.

If you’re saving for a big goal but fall behind one month, you can recalculate and adjust your plan. Maybe you save an extra $10 a week to catch up, or extend your timeline by a month. Math is flexible and can help you figure out how to get back on track. A problem-solving math-modeling mindset is persistent and flexible, always reviewing and adapting the model to changing conditions. Adapt, don’t quit.

Why It Works

Using math for New Year’s resolutions doesn’t require complex equations; it’s all about clarity and breaking goals into steps. At the end of the day, math gives us a framework. It takes the guesswork out of resolutions and turns them into clear, actionable steps. Whether you’re saving money, exercising more, or finally learning to play the guitar, math helps you:

• Set specific, measurable goals
• Break big goals into small steps
• Track progress and stay motivated
• Adjust your plan without giving up

So this year, let’s use math to make our New Year’s resolutions stick. Whether you’re saving money, exercising more, or building a new habit, using math for New Year’s resolutions can make even your biggest goals achievable. 

Want to learn more about math modeling? Try these related blogs:

• What Is Mathematical Modeling?
• Getting Started with Math Modeling
• Why Math Modeling is the Ultimate Skill for Future Innovators
• How Math Modeling Challenges You to Think Like a Problem Solver