New Year, New Projects: What the Science Says About Starting Creatively in 2026
You know the classic line that appears every January: new year, new you.
It usually comes with long lists of resolutions, ambitious plans, and the pressure to change everything at once.
Research suggests that this approach rarely works.
Studies on New Year’s resolutions show that only a small percentage of people maintain radical goals over time. Most abandon them within weeks. According to research cited by CORDIS, around 8% of people stick to their resolutions long term, while overly ambitious plans often lead to frustration rather than progress. The problem is not motivation; it is how goals are designed.
Why Big Resolutions Often Fail
Psychological research shows that large, sudden changes are difficult to sustain. When goals are too demanding or too vague, motivation drops quickly. As Stephen Shannon, lecturer in social and psychological sciences at Ulster University, explains, radical routines may feel inspiring at first but often undermine long-term motivation.
Small, achievable steps are more effective than dramatic overhauls. Breaking goals into clear, manageable actions reduces stress and increases persistence. This applies not only to fitness or health goals, but also to creative and professional development.
(Source: CORDIS, European Commission, New year, new you? The science of reaching goals)
Creativity Grows Through Small Steps
Creative projects are especially vulnerable to the pressure of perfection. Many ideas never move forward because people wait for the “right moment,” the perfect concept, or the ideal conditions. Research suggests that consistency and experimentation matter more than intensity.
Starting a creative project does not require a complete reset. Learning a new digital skill, experimenting with a tool, sketching an idea, or collaborating informally can all be meaningful starting points. Small creative actions, repeated over time, build confidence and competence.
This approach aligns with how creativity develops in real-world settings. Progress often comes from testing, adjusting, and learning, rather than from large, rigid plans.
Sharing Goals: Helpful or Harmful?
Another insight from research challenges a common belief. Sharing goals publicly does not always increase accountability. Some studies show that announcing goals can create a false sense of achievement, reducing follow-through. Social approval can activate reward systems in the brain, making action feel less urgent.
However, sharing goals strategically can help. Telling someone you respect or who has relevant experience may increase commitment and focus. The key is intention. Not every goal needs to be public.
This matters for creative work, where early ideas benefit from space to grow before being exposed to external judgment.
A Sustainable Start to 2026
A positive start to the year does not require pressure or perfection. Research consistently points to the same principle: small, realistic steps support long-term progress better than ambitious resets.
At DIGICREATE Empower, we support digital and creative skills that help young people and professionals adapt, experiment, and grow in a changing world. Creativity thrives when curiosity is encouraged, learning is ongoing, and progress is allowed to be gradual.
If you are starting 2026 with a creative idea, consider beginning small. Test one concept. Learn one skill. Explore one collaboration. Over time, those steps can turn into something meaningful.
Source: CORDIS, European Commission, New year, new you? The science of reaching goals, https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/455755-new-year-new-you-the-science-of-reaching-goals
