Free printable resolution trackers. Multiple designs along with
printable New Year’s goal templates, New year’s resolution ideas, & more.
New Year’s resolutions have something of a bad reputation. Perhaps with reason.
People are notorious for not keeping resolutions. In fact, U.S. News & World Report found that about 80% of people fail at their New Year’s resolutions. Another (very) small study was slightly more optimistic: it reported that 46% of people achieved their goals.
In addition, the idea of a New Year’s resolution makes you feel like you should wait until the “perfect time” to start a new, healthy habit.
I firmly believe the best day to start new habits is TODAY. I wasted quite a bit of my life waiting. There was always the new week (aka: “I might as well start my diet on Sunday.”). Or maybe the first of the month. Or “the new year is right around the corner.”
It took quite awhile before I realized that the only day that matters is today. Yesterday is done. You can’t change the past. And tomorrow isn’t here yet. But I CAN do the best thing today.
That being said, resolution trackers can be helpful. Because actually tracking your progress makes you more likely to succeed.
These resolution trackers (annual habit trackers) are designed for tracking a single resolution or habit. If you’re interested in tracking multiple habits, check out “Free Printable Habit Trackers.“
Table of contents
~~~~~This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.~~~~~
Word of the Year
If you’re looking to start the New Year off right, I highly suggest picking a word of the year.
I’ve done this with my e-mail list two out of the last three years and it has been very popular. I first saw it on a Facebook post, but found out later that quite a few people do it…including Melinda Gates! (Apparently there is also an entire book on this “One Word That Will Change Your Life“.)
I suggest picking a word of the year before making any resolutions. Take some time and reflect on the previous year. Think about what you want to change. Or try to identify what you’ve been having continual problems with. Then pick a word of the year.
For example, in 2020, I was having a problem with…well, everything. I was excellent at planning things. But not actually getting anything done. I was also indulging in some poor personal habits. For 2021, I picked the word “do.” My focus wasn’t getting it done perfectly. Or planning anything. My goal was simply to DO IT!
If you’re looking for ideas for word of the year, Modern Mountain Life has some options.
If you want to keep it simple, you can make your word of the year your resolution. Just resolve to focus on that word multiple times throughout the day. Especially in situations in which it is applicable.
Or you can go further and come up with specific resolutions that embody the concept. For example, when I chose the word “do,” I could have made resolutions such as: track my calories (no matter how much I ate); work on website for 60 minutes (active working, not planning); and go walking everyday.
Instructions for the Printables
• Print options: regular paper works perfectly fine. I put my resolution trackers in my planner.
• All of the files are in pdf below. Just hit the “download” button (or pink word “download,” depending upon browser).
• The default size of these is full-page. However, if you want smaller, simply reduce the print size! If you’re not sure on how much to reduce, check out my post “How to Resize Printables to Fit Your Planner.”
New Year’s Goal Templates
To be honest, my first suggestion is my Free Printable Goal Workbook. The workbook helps you define big goals and break them down into concrete action steps.
However, I do have three quick New Year’s Goal template worksheet options for you if you’re not wanting to invest a lot of time. These worksheets are for a “general overview” or attitude towards the new year. Not taking a large multi-year goal and coming up with action steps.
There are three designs below, each with a slightly different focus.
This worksheet has the unique question “I want to quit…”. Sometimes quitting bad habits is as important as finding new habits to start.
This worksheet focuses on defining on your wants and your needs, which probably won’t be the same things!
This New Year’s goal template includes spaces for goals in various areas of your life: family, personal (health), financial, and miscellaneous.
New Year’s Resolution Ideas
As I mentioned, I’m a big fan of starting on resolutions TODAY. Not necessarily just on January 1st. With that being said, though, I have some resolution ideas for you below.
When making resolutions, the more specific the better. “I will get into shape” is vague. And leaves you with a lot of decisions to make on a day to day basis. “I will do cardio for 30 min. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I will lift weights for 30 min. on Tuesday and Thursday. I will do this immediately after work” is very specific. And much more likely to get done.
Top New Year’s Resolutions
Curious as to what are the most common New Year’s resolutions? Multiple informal surveys have been done, including by YouGov, GoSkills.com, and GoCompare (which was UK based). Despite the various studies, the same resolutions cropped up time and time again.
- Lose weight
- Eat healthier/change diet
- Get in shape/exercise more
- Financial- cut spending, get out of debt, build savings, stick to a budget
- Travel more
- Start a new hobby/learn a new skill
- Spend more time with friends and/or family
- Quit drinking/quit smoking
Unique New Year’s Resolutions
If you’re tired of trying the same old things, you could try making a unique New Year’s Resolution. Some ideas:
- Try a new restaurant each month
- Try a new food each week (or each month)
- Try something new each month (such as a new recipe or a class)
- Read a new book each month
- Give one compliment a day
- Commit to a random act of kindness each day (check out my post “Random Acts of Kindness” for some free printable calendars)
- Spend 20 minutes a day outside
- Start using your “best” stuff regularly
Free Printable Resolution Trackers
There are three resolution trackers below. Each one comes in two versions: black and white -and- colorful background with some flowers.
I really like this one because you can start any month. Since you pick the month (in the little box for each month), this resolution tracker is great for anytime, not just the New Year!
The resolution tracker below is in landscape (horizontal) format.
What is Your Resolution?
I hope you enjoyed these free printable resolution trackers (and the free printable New Year’s goal templates).
Feel free to comment below! Let me know what your resolution is. Or which of the printables you found the most helpful.
Could you do me a quick favor? If you found this post useful, could you share it with your friends? Share buttons are at the top.
Thank you so much for the free printables.
I was looking for a 15 minute increment one to stop smoking and having a hard time finding one so I am going to adjust one of yours to fit my needs.
The others I’ve printed will be useful for other tracking. I am crazy over my planners and love to decorate them etc and incorporate trackers into them as well.
Thank you so much!