As the new year progresses, it’s easy for our resolutions to be forgotten. We often fall back into old habits and forget about the promises we made to ourselves. We say “new year, new me,” but find ourselves returning to our old ways forgetting our new year’s resolution ideas. The truth is, each year has the potential to be our year, it’s all about taking consistent steps toward the right changes.
According to Kara Lambert, a small business psychology consultant, “Goals and resolutions work best, according to science, when they are not only believable but are aligned with our values and purpose. We need this grounding in who we deeply are, which is our values & purpose, to help us stay on track. Our values & purpose are like a North Star, guiding us; while our goals & resolutions will push us to achieve.” Finding your values and what drives your goals will ensure you are on the right track.
However, a proper environment is necessary for focused, inspired action to meet your goals. After all, as tech career coach Dr. Kyle Elliott, says, “It’s easy to get distracted from your New Year’s resolutions when in the comfort of your own home.” He advises, “When setting your resolutions, consider curating an environment that supports you in reaching your goals. For example, if you want a better sense of work-life balance, this might look like dedicating a specific space to working and leaving your laptop there when off the clock. While you can’t eliminate all distractions, you can take steps to minimize them so you’re set up for success. “
In this Redfin article, experts will provide advice on how to create the perfect environment to ensure you meet your New Year’s ideas. So as you work on your goals through the year in your apartment in New York, new home in Cincinnati, or rental home in Evanston, let’s create the best environment to support the new you.
Create spaces for designated tasks
Designing your home with your needs in mind is vital. Crafting spaces that align with your goals is a powerful way to maintain focus and progress. As Alesha Isaacs, financial coach at Financial Finesse says, “Keeping New Year’s resolutions is partly an exercise in understanding yourself and what makes you tick so that you’re primed for success. Your home environment influences and impacts your ability to stick with goals well past January.
Carefully consider where most of the work towards these goals will occur and then create a list of all the spaces in your home. Canadian-American author and motivational speaker Brian Tracy says, “Your environment shapes your behavior and attitudes. Surround yourself with positive stimuli to foster positive change”. What do you require out of your surroundings to support optimal results?
Next to each room you’ve listed, write out what you require from that space. Should it spark creativity or encourage relaxation? Does it need to be light or dark, loud or quiet? After you have identified what you need from each room, what else can you include to optimize results? Think about your daily routines and how they can impact the use of each room.
Resolutions are hard enough to keep without fighting against your surroundings. Do yourself a favor and remove those obstacles- clear the path to keep your commitment. The extra effort will allow your goals to flourish and bloom in the setting you’ve created.”
“Designing your home to align with your New Year goals is like giving yourself a daily high-five,” says Drive Research’s Emily Rodgers. “Start by carving out zones that match your intentions — a cozy corner with a soft throw for reading or a clutter-free desk with a good lamp for deep focus. Keep the vibe clean and uplifting; nothing crushes motivation faster than a mess.
Sprinkle your space with tools that make sticking to habits feel natural — think yoga mats that double as décor or a water bottle that’s always within arm’s reach. Add some personality with quirky visual cues: a bold calendar, a dream board, or even a cheeky quote that makes you smile. Don’t underestimate the power of ambiance — warm lighting, calming colors, or an essential oil diffuser can totally set the mood. It’s all about making your home a partner in your success, not just a place to crash.”
Adi Klevit, CEO and lead process consultant at Business Success Consulting Group, adds, “Creating a home environment that supports your goals can make sticking to them much easier. Start by designating a specific space for your goal — a workout corner, a writing desk, or a study nook for learning a language. Write your overall goal and a clear, actionable statement (e.g., “Become fluent in French” and “Learn 50 new French words per week for 3 months”) and display it where you’ll see it daily for motivation. Organize the space to be inviting and enjoyable, perhaps decorating it to match the theme of your goal — a map of Paris for French study or inspiring quotes for a writing project. You’ll set yourself up for daily success by aligning your environment with your aspirations.”
Dr. Rebecca Johnson Osei, CEO and Board Certified clinical psychologist at Concierge Psychology writes more on tailoring your space to best suit your needs. She says, “It is important to create an environment that fosters the energy you are looking to embody. If your goal is getting in shape, for example, create a space that allows you enough range of movement, with a sound system so you can hype yourself up for your workouts. If your goals are around organizing your finances, set up a quiet area, such as a home office, where you can put up a dry-erase board to keep your tasks organized. Whatever your goal, think about the headspace you want to be in when working on it, and the tools you would need to have readily on hand to get your tasks done. Remove as many possible obstacles and distractions as possible as well.
Trying to be more Zen? Find a corner with natural light, get some comfortable floor pillows and a throw rug, scented oils, and ambient music to support your meditation. No two goals are alike, so craft your space to support your goals the way that works best for you!”
Brad and Naomi Leeman of Swing Sesh emphasize that “For parents, it’s especially important to design a space that is multi-functional and useful for the entire family. Multifunctional spaces are more cost-effective and typically provide more longevity for the family. If your goal is fitness, making your fitness space fun and accessible for the kids is a great way to help you stay on track with your workouts. In today’s world of distraction and screen time, families are seeking products like SwingSesh that draw the family together in a meaningful way. While converting a space in the home like a basement or garage makes sense for some, by creating a shared space outside you can gain more useable space for your family without sacrificing indoor space. Plus you’ll gain the added benefits of being outdoors!”
Visual cues for refocusing
Visual reminders are a great way to remind yourself of your goals. If we don’t actively think about our goals life’s demands push them back and this is where failure happens. Consultant Kristin Swanson advises finding visual cues that will help you and to, “Ask yourself, if I achieve the goals that I’ve set for myself in 2025 – how will it feel? Ensure the aesthetics of your home help you to feel that way, even before the goals are met.
Set up visual cues throughout your home of the habits that you are instilling. This can be a piece of art, a quote on the wall, or even a candle. Place these items strategically so that you will see them when you perform other habits that you already have. Let’s say you choose a vase to symbolize your hydration goal this year. Place it near your coffeemaker, so that you fill your water bottle while your coffee is brewing. “
Futurist and author Crystal Washington shares the art that empowers her to succeed. She states, “Surround yourself with art and patterns that inspire movement and creativity. In my home, for example, geometric designs suggest momentum, water patterns evoke creativity, and starburst lights symbolize boundless creation. My walls are adorned with West African originals, portraits of free African Americans in colonial America, and an Afro-futuristic triptych by a contemporary African American artist. Anchoring it all is a doll of my five-times-great-grandmother, a powerful reminder that the past, present, and future are deeply connected.”
Christina Sharp Founder and CEO of Soul Krave mentions the importance of visuals for focusing. Christina writes, “Your home can be your goal-crushing partner if you design it right. Science shows that visual cues boost habit formation, so place that yoga mat where you can see it or set a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter. Declutter your space — it’s easier to focus when your brain isn’t busy dodging distractions. And lighting? Think bright and natural during the day to fuel productivity, and warm tones at night to signal relaxation. Remember, your environment should inspire, not conspire against you.”
Holistic Leadership Coach Rebecca Arnold of Root Coaching Consulting adds, “If your New Year’s resolution includes minimizing distractions while you work, consider what’s in your sight line at your desk. Place objects strategically that aid your focus. Natural objects like plants, rocks, and shells can bring the outside, inside to reset your focus by connecting with nature. Candles and other scents can awaken your senses and increase your presence. Touching objects with different textures can help you refocus when you’re zoning out, especially during long meetings.
If your goals include improving your health, keep healthy foods visible and less healthy ones out of sight. If you’re starting an exercise routine, put your workout clothes front and center in your closet. Post a chart of your progress in a highly visible area like your kitchen to remember your goal and the strides you’ve already made.”
Amanda Simon Women’s Health Coach at OneL1fe shares her recommendations to meet health goals. “Any goal that you make for New Year’s is going to involve changing any one or more of your current habits by creating new ones. One great way to create a new habit is to design your physical environment to be supportive of your goal. For example, if you’re making physical self-care a priority in 2025, hang a hook in a visible spot and use it to display your favorite clean, sweat-ready clothes for the next day. It’s a simple way to keep your goals front and center making it easier to establish new habits — and with so many different styles of hooks out there, it can even add a little charm or flair to your space.
Pair this with a clear, printed plan or schedule for your workouts or wellness activities. (You could even match the frame to the hook!) Post it somewhere you’ll see every day—right next to your workout clothes is perfect. Because out of sight, out of mind, right?
Remember, creating new habits starts with making your goals visible and accessible. Whether it’s a hook for your workout clothes, a printed schedule, or a dedicated self-care corner, small, intentional changes can have a big impact. Design your space to support your habits, and you’ll be designing a life that aligns with your goals.”
Take little steps for big results
With New Year’s goals, we often jump straight into big actions that lead us to fail. While it’s great to be excited about change it’s important to begin with small steps. Making drastic steps right at the start will make it harder to adapt to the new changes. Rebekah at Ganchi Plans explains the importance of low barriers entry into a new habit.
She says, “When forming a new habit, you want the first step to be as easy as possible, or you’ll never get to the second and third steps! For example, if you’re trying to exercise in the morning, then store your yoga mat near your bed and work out in your pajamas. If you’re resolving to declutter your home, then set a tiny daily goal, like one item per day, rather than a big goal of an entire room in a month. Something small and tangible will feel way less overwhelming to your brain than something big and ill-defined. Or set a five-minute timer. You’ll surprise yourself with how big a difference just five minutes of activity can make, and you might even find, once the timer goes off, that you want to keep going!”
Jamie Mraz of Recconect Performance notes, “As a physical therapist, I love to hear that many people’s New Year health goals include becoming more active and starting a movement or exercise routine. My biggest piece of advice for success is to make it as easy as possible, with the least amount of obstacles in your way daily. If you want to start going on a walk or run before work – consider adding a bench near your front door where you can set out your running shoes, jacket, etc…ahead of time to get you out the door as quickly as possible in the morning.
Work from home but want more movement during the day? Consider investing in a sit-to-stand desk that will allow you to change positions frequently and avoid prolonged sitting. Looking to take up a yoga practice? Set up a dedicated space in your house (can simply be a corner of a room) that is free from clutter other than your yoga mat. This is where you will go to relax the body and mind. Creating a home environment that supports your New Year movement goals is a worthwhile investment in your health and will help you stick with your new habits to make 2025 your healthiest year yet”
Productivity coach Presley Pizzo notes, “Beyond just removing distractions from your space, there are more things you can do to support your goals. Put everything you need to get started in clear view and within reach so that you think of starting on your desired task before you think of doing anything else. Additionally, personalize the space for working towards a goal. It’s hard to stay excited about a goal that feels like it’s imposed on you from the outside. By putting your own spin on the goal, you can remind yourself that you’re doing it for yourself, not for anyone else. Be sure to put up a visual tracker of your progress to give yourself credit for every baby step you take. This will make it easier to stay motivated when the result still seems far off.”
Declutter and organize for a clear mind
“People often don’t realize just how much ‘environmental design’ impacts achieving goals. The truth is, how you set up your home, is 50% of the work in achieving positive habits,” says
Lisa Steingold. “A clean, uncluttered space reduces mental stress and frees up cognitive resources, enhancing focus and decision-making. Place the items you need for your goals in easily accessible, visible locations.” A messy home is a reflection of a messy mind. To clear up your mental space and set yourself up to smoothly chase your goals you must be clean and organized.
Creating an organizational system is beneficial to keeping yourself on track. Consultant Kimberly Frey shares, “When designing a home environment that supports your goals, tailor it to your specific needs. Organizational systems are not one-size-fits-all. While some enjoy creating filing systems and using drawer organizers where everything has an assigned space, others find that overwhelming and seemingly impossible to keep up with.
Using baskets can be an excellent alternative for both paper filing and drawer organization. You can color-code or label them for organization. Another great tool is to use a wall-mounted paper organizer for sorting and storing all the paper that comes into your home. Whatever organizational system you decide to use, be sure to make the space your own. Incorporate personal touches like photographs, motivational quotes, or plants. Lastly, include a relaxation element such as a water feature, Newton’s cradle, a desktop sand garden, or even a trashcan basketball hoop that you can easily use to take a break and refocus.”
Dr. Tara, who focuses on inspiring and empowering others to experience the joy and richness of life writes on how organization and clear direction help build better habits. “It’s that time of year when many of us who set New Year’s resolutions are watching them fall by the wayside. A good place to start is by clearly defining the person you want to be. From there, you can set up your default home environment to support your goals. Success becomes easier if you create a home-court advantage for yourself.
If you resolve to adopt healthier eating habits and drink more water, make this choice easy and obvious by stocking the fridge and pantry with fresh produce and lean proteins. Invest in a beautiful fruit bowl you’re happy to fill and place front and center on your kitchen counter. Design an attractive, functional but uncluttered area beside your coffee maker to house your pre-filled water bottle and supplements. This is an easy reminder to take your vitamin D and creatine (my supplements of choice!) and hydrate before you caffeinate.
Perhaps go one step further and devote time every Sunday to meal-prepping a few nutritious, delicious grab-and-go options for the busy work week. My final tip is to pick just one place to start. Once you’ve firmly established a habit of grabbing the tasty-looking apple (which is now right in front of your face!) instead of a handful of Oreos (which are less visible in the basement after being displaced by your desired snack options), you can layer on another small-but-mighty change that will help you achieve your bigger-picture goals.”
Marissa (Meshulam) Karp, registered dietitian and the founder of MPM Nutrition restates the importance of keeping correct choices manageable and easy to choose. She adds, “Make the healthy choice, the easy choice. Keep nourishing foods you want to be eating easily accessible in your home. For instance, keep a bowl with fruit on your counter, chop up veggies in the fridge that you store in glass containers so you can easily see them, and keep the healthier snacks at eye level in the pantry. This way when you are going for a snack, you have the nourishing options in plain sight and ready to go, which makes you more likely to choose them!”
Trainer and consultant Steve McClatchy sums it up best when he says, “I don’t try to save time just for the sake of saving time. I want the tasks I have to do to take as little time as possible so I can focus on doing the things I want to accomplish, the things I believe make life worth living. The less time I spend taking care of maintenance items, the more time I can spend investing in my relationships, working on my goals, and having fun.
Controlling clutter, grouping like tasks, and having more than one of necessary and frequently used items are big time savers if you’re fully committed to them. So I challenge you to dive into the simple rules of organization and experience the benefits of less stress, less clutter, and more free time to enjoy your life.”
