20 New Year's Resolutions From Famous Historical Figures

There are old traditions of making New Year's goals, where people promise to be better in the coming year. But what if some of the most intelligent people in history shared their goals and gave us a look into how they wanted to improve the world?

Tricia Quitales
December 31, 2024
8 min read

20 New Year's Resolutions From Famous Historical Figures — Arina Krasnikova on Pexels

As the new year approaches, people worldwide think about what they can do to improve themselves. What if famous people from the past could help or come up with solutions for people today? This list looks at 20 New Year’s resolutions from well-known people in history, ranging from scientists to politicians. Each one shows its values, problems, and successes in its way. Insightful answers like these show how old-fashioned goals might connect with the present day.

1. Leonardo da Vinci: “Master the art of patience”

Leonardo da Vinci on Wikimedia

Leonardo’s talent was often shown by how he could plan and improve his work over time. Making a goal would probably be about getting better at being patient in art and developing new ideas. His mind was always looking for new challenges, so it took him years to finish his work. He could have made the creative process smoother by learning to be patient.

2. Marie Curie: “Encourage more women in science”

Henri Manuel on Wikimedia

As a woman who worked as a physicist in an area occupied mainly by men, Curie would have been determined to help other women get into STEM fields in the future. She knew from personal experience how hard it was for women to do well in school and the workplace. Her resolution would focus on mentoring and advocacy, ensuring everyone has the same chances to work in scientific study.

3. Mahatma Gandhi: “Promote nonviolent resistance globally”

Elliott & Fry on Wikimedia

Gandhi’s revolutionary approach to political and social change was based on pacifism, and he probably decided to spread this message to as many people as possible. He also tried to contact groups all over the world and promote peaceful defiance as a way to achieve justice. His goal was to make the world more caring and connected.

4. Winston Churchill: “Learn to listen more than speak”

Yousuf Karsh on Wikimedia

Churchill was a man of action known for his powerful talks and strong leadership. However, promising to listen more deeply would help him make better strategic decisions. He could have been a better leader during the war if he had thought about his friends’ different points of view and even his enemies.

5. Albert Einstein: “Reduce distractions and embrace simplicity”

Arthur Sasse on WIkimedia

In his later years, Einstein had many complicated ideas. His goal may have been to make things more manageable so he could think more clearly. His theory of relativity changed the field of physics, but he might have come up with even more ground-breaking ideas if he had gone back to the simple wonders of youth. Putting more effort into clarity could lead to even more significant scientific advances.

6. Cleopatra: “Foster more alliances with emerging powers”

William Wetmore Story on Wikimedia

Cleopatra was a master at building strong ties, especially with the most important people in Rome. Making deals with growing forces in the East and Africa could have been one of her resolutions. This diplomatic method aims to protect Egypt’s independence while opening up new trade and power opportunities.

7. Benjamin Franklin: “Cultivate deeper personal relationships”

Joseph-Siffred Duplessis on Pexels

Franklin was well-known for his ideas, writing, and diplomatic skills. He also valued friendships and respect for each other. Franklin could have found more happiness in his otherwise busy life by promising to focus more on creating lasting, meaningful connections with other people. Strengthening relationships could have improved his work, especially in the political and intellectual areas.

Lytton Strachey on Pexels

During Queen Victoria’s rule, the British Empire was at its strongest. However, she was also a monarch who had to deal with the problems of a changing society. It’s possible that her goal was to support changes in the empire that would help with poverty, education, and women’s rights. In the late 1800s, social growth was slowly picking up speed, and these changes could have sped it up.

9. Nelson Mandela: “Celebrate forgiveness over retribution”

White House Photograph Office, Clinton Administration on Wikimedia

Mandela’s life showed how forgiveness can help people get past wrongs, and one of his goals would have been to keep practicing and spreading this idea. He wanted to make South Africa a place where people worked together instead of against each other by emphasizing healing over revenge. His experiences with being locked up and getting out would give his determination a depth that no one else could match.

10. William Shakespeare: “Explore more diverse themes in plays”

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Shakespeare is famous for reading about people, but he could have written even more critical work if he had decided to explore themes that had not been explored before. He might have decided to write about identity, gender, and power in even more complicated and daring ways. There were some general truths in Shakespeare’s writing. If he had gone more in-depth on these topics, his work would have been even more helpful for people in the future.

11. Catherine the Great: “Implement more progressive policies for serfs”

Vidsich on Wikimedia

Catherine’s rule as Empress of Russia brought about a lot of growth, but people often didn’t like how she treated the serfs. In a kingdom with a lot of history, deciding to improve the lives of the working class would have been a big step toward change. Catherine could have started a social and economic change trend by making life easier for serfs.

12. Abraham Lincoln: “Promote national unity through compassion”

Dorothy Lamon on Wikemedia

During the Civil War, Lincoln made a lot of personal sacrifices to keep the Union together. To help people heal after a terrible war, a resolution to promote greater national unity through kindness could have been the basis for America after the war. His leadership had already shown an intense way to work together for peace, but this decision would make the peace last for good.

13. Florence Nightingale: “Introduce mental health care as a national priority”

14GTR on Wikimedia

As one of the first nurses in modern times, Nightingale knew how important it was to provide complete care. However, I have decided to work for changes in mental health care instead. In addition to caring about cleanliness and health in general, she also knew a lot about mental health. She would have been ahead of her time discussing health healthcare systems, leaving a lasting mark on both areas.

14. Theodore Roosevelt: “Expand environmental conservation efforts”

Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia

Roosevelt established national parks and sites to demonstrate his commitment to protecting nature. However, he may have decided to focus on safeguarding even more by including environments worldwide. He loved being outside and devised some of the first protection policies that could have supported a more significant environmental cause.

15. Harriet Tubman: “Build a broader network for emancipation”

Unknown photographer on Wikimedia

No one was braver than Tubman when she led enslaved people to freedom. Her goal may have been to strengthen the Underground Railroad networks. By working with abolitionists and people who supported them more, she could have freed even more people and spread the word of freedom far and wide. Because of her dedication, independence, and liberty would have been easy for future generations.

16. Socrates: “Encourage more self-examination in daily life”

Bregi on Wikimedia

Socrates believed that asking questions and examining oneself could help one become wise. His conclusion probably would have encouraged more people to think about themselves, which would have helped people in Athens and beyond live more authentically. He would have liked to use Socratic questioning to help him make daily choices.

17. Pablo Picasso: “Embrace the beauty of imperfection”

Anonymous on Wikimedia

Picasso, known for making significant changes in modern art, may have decided to investigate how to use flaws as a praised artistic choice. His cubist works differed from what had been done before, and his resolution would likely have been an open call to the art world to embrace new styles and honor unrefined creativity. If he had done that, Picasso might have been able to push the limits of art even more.

18. Rosa Parks: “Inspire global civil rights movements”

Associated Press on WIkimedia

By refusing to give up her seat on a separate bus, Parks symbolized people standing up to racism. Her goal may have been to spark more worldwide movements for equality and human rights. Her firm, quiet resistance would have moved other people facing systemic oppression to act.

19. Genghis Khan: “Cultivate a culture of diplomacy alongside conquest”

Bernard Gagnon on Wikimedia

Genghis Khan was a master of warfare and empire-building, but his resolution might have been to foster diplomacy to maintain and expand his empire. While his conquests were brutal, he valued his empire’s skilled administrators and diverse cultures. Cultivating peaceful relations with neighboring powers could have helped secure a longer-lasting legacy.

20. Vincent van Gogh: “Find inner peace through art”

Vincent van Gogh on WIkimedia

Van Gogh’s complicated personal life and deep love of art often merged. His resolution might have been to make peace with his inner turmoil through art and find comfort and healing there. Art could have been his way of expressing himself and getting along with others, which would have made his work more profound.