Resolution Builder: free New Year game to set SMART goals

What is Resolution Builder?

At Buffer's New Year party, four guests share vague resolutions: "Get fit", "Read more", "Save money". Build each one into a SMART goal, piece by piece: what exactly, how much, by when and why it matters. Every pick explains which letter it keeps or breaks.

Resolution Builder is a free New Year game about goal setting. At a New Year party, four made-up guests share the kind of resolution everyone makes: "Get fit", "Read more", "Save money", "Learn Spanish". They're nice wishes, but there's nothing to start on Monday.

You build each one into a SMART goal in four picks: what exactly they'll do, how much and how often, by when (with a regular check-in), and why it matters to them. A vague pick crosses out its letter, a pick that's too big crosses out A for Achievable, and every pick explains why. At the end of each guest you see the full goal, and the SMART version when yours slipped.

At a glance

Category

Seasonal

Difficulty

Easy

Play time

2–4 min

Price

Free, in your browser, sign-up optional

How to play

Meet a guest

A party guest shares a vague resolution, like "Learn Spanish" or "Use my phone better".

Build it in 4 picks

What exactly (Specific), how much (Measurable), by when (Time-bound), why (Relevant). Tap an option or press 1 to 3.

Keep the letters lit

A vague pick breaks its letter. A pick that's too big breaks A, Achievable. Each pick explains why.

Score

100 per right pick, +100 when all five SMART letters stay lit. Four guests, 2,000 points max.

Scoring

100 points for each pick that keeps the goal SMART, 0 for a pick that breaks a letter.

+100 bonus when all five letters (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) stay lit. Four guests, 2,000 points max.

What it trains

Goal setting

Turning a wish like "Get fit" into a goal you can start on Monday.

The SMART checklist

Spotting what's missing: an action, a number, a realistic size, a reason, a date.

Realistic planning

Telling a bold goal from one that's too big to keep.

Strategy and tips

Ask "could I start Monday?"

If you can't picture the first step, the goal isn't Specific yet.

Look for a number

Minutes, pages, dollars, times a week: if you can't count it, it isn't Measurable.

Beware the giant leap

Running an ultramarathon or 3 hours a day sounds bold, but it breaks Achievable for a beginner.

A date and a check-in

"Someday" isn't Time-bound. A deadline plus a weekly look at progress is.

Their reason, not yours

Doing it because someone else does, or someone said so, isn't Relevant.

Why play Resolution Builder?

Most resolutions fade by February because they're wishes, not plans. SMART is a simple checklist that turns a wish into something you can start, count and finish: a clear action, a number, a realistic size, a personal reason and a date. Resolution Builder lets you practise spotting what's missing in a goal, which works for school, work and any time of year.

Frequently asked questions