Over the past weeks, I’ve had several conversations about New Year’s resolutions for 2026. Opinions are divided on whether we need January 1st to start a new habit or stop an old one. Maybe it’s simply a traditional dynamic in society that makes the beginning of the year feel like a tangible moment to start something new—and I’m not against it.

My approach to the new year is to focus on habits and routines that require little investment but make a big impact. In other words, habits with a very high return on investment.

Just a few days before January 1st, we established a “no phone in the bedroom” rule in our little household. If you think about it, the investment is minimal: you leave your phone outside on the kitchen table and gain a huge positive impact. Especially during busy, long days, the last thing we want is to be on our phones—or for the final thought of the day to be an email or a social media post. Not to mention the benefits this has for relationships.

Other examples include taking a minimum 10-minute walk after every meal, or avoiding caffeinated beverages for the first 90 minutes after waking up.

By focusing on high-ROI New Year’s resolutions, I increase the chances of maintaining them long-term, and they become part of my life.

Belated Happy New Year!