January is a good time to start something new, unless you want to try running and you live in the northern hemisphere (I'd recommend saving that for the spring).
I don't usually have something specific to make a New Year's resolution for, but I do want to feel like I'm using my time well and getting things done. So for a month at the start of this year I tried to do at least one deliberate thing a day.
Here's what I decided was 'something deliberate'.
- doing a job or task outside of my normal daily routine
- writing or creating something (like an article for this site)
- doing something that I mean to get around to, but haven't
Despite this initially wide remit, I found it easier to do the same thing every day rather than find something new each time. The task I chose was to add one piece of content every day to a personal website I've been building. It fitted my criteria well - there was plenty to add, it varied in size and complexity (so I could do a small one on a day when I didn't have much time) and a successful outcome was clearly defined.
I think that last aspect is really important. If success is defined as something small but tangible, it's easier to achieve it and then do more, or just achieve it and still feel good about your progress. For example, if you're trying to clear your attic, don't set your goal to be 'do some clearing every day' - define it more specifically as 'get rid of one thing every day'. Then at least if you only throw out something small you've still achieved your daily target.
I stuck with my goal and after a month I'd added at least one piece of content every day. On many days I even managed more than one. I didn't complete my task - there are still many bits of content I want to add - but making that much progress felt really significant.
I also really enjoyed doing it, so much so that I kept going for a few extra days. After I stopped I found I really missed it, and I felt strangely purposeless without that daily routine. Going back to one update a day might not be sustainable, but I'm already thinking about what I can do next to keep being deliberate.