Why do most New Year's resolutions fail by week three? Often because we don't really connect with those resolutions. In this episode, we'll build on our self-connection series to see how that work of connecting with our true self can inform goals that we're more likely to achieve. We'll focus on a two-step framework for goal achievement: fit (goals that match your authentic values) and grit (sustained effort that doesn't lead to burnout). If you haven't caught the rest of this series, head back to episode 243 for the first part.

p.s., Find your Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy.

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Sources and Notes:

Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.
Self-connection series:

Making Self-Connection Your Superpower in 2026 [ep. 243]
The Practice of Self-Awareness: Why You're Worth Knowing [ep. 244]
Stop Waiting to Accept Yourself: The Truth About Unconditional Self-Acceptance [ep. 245]
The Power of Self-Alignment & Reclaiming Your True Self [ep. 246]

Self-acceptance episodes:

No Need to Hurry, No Need to Sparkle, No Need to Be Anybody But Yourself [ep. 160]
Accept Yourself Just As You Are & Then You Can Change [ep. 150]
How to Change: External vs Internal Motivators [ep. 145]

Authenticity series:

Unmasking Your True Self: Exploring Authenticity and Awe [ep. 216]
Embrace Your True Self: Accepted, Connected, & In The Game [ep. 217]
The Road Most Travelled: Awakening Through Suffering [ep. 218]
Follow Your Bliss: Awakening to Joy [ep. 219]
The Still Small Voice: Awakening with Soulfulness [ep. 220]

More on inspiration and goal-setting:

Inspiration: The Engine of Joy" ... gives some great basics for this element of inspiration) [ep. 10]
Resolution #1: You Don't Need to Be Fixed [ep. 40]
The Myths of Change [ep. 41]
Five Principles for Inspired Change (or something that looks remarkably like it) [ep. 42]
Harmonious vs. Obsessive Passions [ep. 43]

Dr. Angela Duckworth's website.
"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it." — Maya Angelou

Full transcript here

Coming Next Month on Joy Lab

Next month starts our series on grief. If you're wondering what that has to do with joy, well, it has everything to do with joy. The truth is we can't have one without the other. In the series, we'll explore how to move with and through grief more skillfully so that your joy can grow too. The Science of Goal Setting: Fit (with self-connection) and Grit (with harmonious passion)

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