Set New Year’s Resolutions That Match Your Personality

Every January, we begin anew with fresh goals, good intentions, and big plans. But then, reality kicks in. By February, most resolutions have quietly faded away.

Perhaps, it’s not just about motivation or discipline, but rather personality.

Your personality influences how you set goals, stay focused, and handle setbacks. When your resolutions match your natural style, they feel exciting and energizing. When they don’t, they seem forced and fade quickly.

Let’s examine how each of the four bird styles—the Eagle, Parrot, Dove, and Owl—approaches resolutions and how each can make them stick.

 🦅 Eagles: Turn Resolutions Into Results

Eagles are wired to succeed. They don’t just make resolutions, they set targets. They love the chase, the challenge, and the satisfaction that comes with winning.

But their all-or-nothing mindset can backfire. If results take too long, an Eagle might lose interest or push too hard and burn out.

 Try this instead:

• Break big goals into smaller, visible wins.
• Track your progress so you can see momentum.
• Practice patience

 Resolution ideas:

• Build a consistent morning routine.
• Practice listening without jumping to solve.
• Slow down long enough to appreciate the process, not just the outcome.

Eagles thrive when they trade speed for stamina and define success as progress, not perfection.

 🦜 Parrots: Keep the Spark Alive

For parrots, resolutions are an adventure. Each new year feels like a blank canvas full of exciting possibilities.

They jump into projects with passion and creativity, but that same enthusiasm can fade once the novelty wears off.

 Try this instead:

• Make your goals social by sharing them with friends who’ll cheer you on.
• Celebrate small wins to keep energy high.
• Pick one big goal that inspires you instead of five that scatter your focus.

 Resolution ideas:

• Finish what you start (especially that fun idea from last year).
• Prioritize a little planning before you dive in.
• Be more curious about others by listening as much as you talk.

Parrots stay committed when their goals are fun, flexible, and full of meaning.

 🕊 Doves: Make Space for Yourself

Doves bring warmth and compassion to everything they do. Their resolutions often focus on connection, such as spending more time with loved ones, helping others, and creating calm in daily life.

But Doves can forget that they matter, too.

 Try this instead:

• Schedule regular “me time” to recharge—no guilt required.
• Say “no” when your plate is full.
• Choose goals that bring peace, not pressure.

 Resolution ideas:

• Declutter a space that restores your calm.
• Speak up when something truly matters to you.
• Volunteer or mentor someone in a way that nourishes you, too.

When Doves care for themselves as much as they care for others, they find balance and deeper fulfillment.

 🦉 Owls: Progress Over Perfection

Owls love structure. They plan, research, and prepare like pros. Their resolutions often include charts, checklists, and timelines.

But the pursuit of the perfect plan can delay real progress.

 Try this instead:

• Start before everything feels “ready.” Clarity comes from doing.
• Focus on progress, not perfection.
• Set deadlines for decisions, not just results.

 Resolution ideas:

• Allow space for flexibility in your plans.
• Share your ideas earlier instead of perfecting them privately.
• Track daily habits instead of only measuring big outcomes.

Owls succeed when they loosen their grip on perfection and trust that learning by doing is still growth.

 Make Resolutions That Work With (Not Against) You

The reason most resolutions fail isn’t that people can’t change; it’s because they set goals that don’t match their natural style.

🦅 Eagles thrive on measurable success.
🦜 Parrots stay engaged through fun and flexibility.
🕊 Doves grow through connection and purpose.
🦉 Owls excel with structure and clear plans.

The secret isn’t to change who you are, but to use your personality as a tool for lasting change.

When your resolutions reflect you, they don’t feel like chores—they feel like momentum.

About the Author
Merrick Rosenberg is the author of Personality Intelligence: Master the Art of Being You, The Chameleon, and many other books for adults, students, and kids. He is the creator of the Eagle, Parrot, Dove, and Owl personality approach. As an award-winning speaker and President of Take Flight Learning, Merrick teaches people how to understand themselves and others through the lens of personality, because when you know your style, you unlock your path.