While phrases like “authentic life” or “new year, new you” may elicit widespread groans, there is something to this eternal desire. We are seekers, after all. It’s human nature to want to evolve into better versions of ourselves.

But there are traps we fall into on a fairly regular basis, and arbitrary timing is one of them (hello, January!). So is making goals that lack either action steps to get there or clarity as to why you’d want to in the first place. University of Scranton research has found that more than half of those who set clear resolutions at the start of the year give them up within the first six months. A commonly cited report by U.S. News & World Report paints an even bleaker picture, claiming 80% give up New Year’s resolutions by February.