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January is a time when many people reflect on their goals for the year aheada new job, a promotion, hitting the gym, or overall better healthbut research from Baylor College of Medicine and psychologist Richard Wiseman shows 88% of people actually fail to achieve their New Years resolutions. But according to the experts we asked, you should forget resolutionsand do these things instead. Rewire your brain “Repetition, not intention, rewires behavior,” says Cherian Koshy, author of Neurogiving. “Resolutions fail because they rely on willpower, and willpower is unreliable. What works is design.” “The brain follows whats easy, not whats aspirational, and behavior changes faster when [it] requires less decision-making,” Koshy adds. According to Koshy, New Years resolutions live in an imagined future, but behavior lives in todays defaults. The brain learns who you are by what you repeat, not what you declare. If something matters in 2026, stop promising to do it later, and practice it now. That’s how to achieve your first win of the year. Make a to-don’t list Resolutions can help us be more intentional about how we spend our time in the year ahead. At least, that’s the theory. But with so many people already overwhelmed by their to-do lists, adding resolutions is likely to just lead to burnout in January, says Sally Helgesen, women’s leadership expert and coauthor of How Women Rise. “That’s why it can be helpful to focus on what we want to avoid in 2026: our to-don’ts rather than our to-dos,” she says. “For example: Don’t use the phone on Sunday (or Saturday), don’t make promises without taking a day to think them through, and don’t set the alarm clock one morning a week.” Ask yourself, what do you want to leave behind? Start small rituals Instead of chasing big New Years resolutions, try small daily rituals. “Taking three slow breaths before getting out of bed or stepping into morning light when you wake up can have a powerful impact and help life feel more grounded, clear, and steady long after January ends,” Marsha Ralls, founder and CEO of wellness retreat The Phoenix, Asheville tells Fast Company. “My best recommendation is to identify habits that naturally fit into your daily routine and begin incorporating them right away, whether that means taking an afternoon walk outside, or committing to a more consistent bedtime, even on weekends,” she says. “Over time, these small daily actions go a long way in supporting overall wellness.” Try New Year’s intentions “I would recommend having New Year’s intentions instead of resolutions, [which] are often based in shame and focus on what you are lacking,” therapist Esin Pinarli tells Fast Company. “Be more emotion-based than action-based,” Pinarli adds. “What was one thing you learned this past year? What is one thing that you will not be bringing into the new year, whether that’s a person, behavior, or habit?”
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When the confetti settles and the ball has dropped, many Americans will wake up on New Years Day Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 with errands to run, groceries to buy, or just the urge to grab coffee. But because New Years Day is a federal holiday, the holiday clock affects a wide range of services differently: some go dormant for the day, others hum along with normal or modified hours, and a few offer the convenience you might need as you kick off the new year. Heres what to expect if youre planning to be out and about or just need to know whether that store youre counting on is open. Will I get mail on New Year’s Day? Thursday is a full federal holiday, which means most government offices are closed from Social Security offices to local administrative buildings. If you were planning to visit a DMV or city hall, make sure to reschedule. The U.S. Postal Service will be closed, and no regular mail delivery will happen on New Years Day. Retail post office services are also shut for the holiday. Is the bank open on New Year’s Day? Major bank branches, including Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, will not open their doors on Jan. 1. If you need cash, ATMs and mobile apps are your go-to since theyll still work even though physical branches are dark. Is the grocery store open on New Year’s day? When it comes to stores, the picture is decidedly mixed. Costco plans to be closed all day. The wholesale giant will shutter all 623 of its U.S. warehouses for 24 hours on New Years Day, meaning members cant shop at any location on Jan. 1. Other superstores like Walmart; however, are expected to keep their doors open under normal schedules (though its always smart to check ahead). Home improvement chains like The Home Depot plan to remain open with regular holiday hours (e.g., roughly 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Groceries and pharmacies also tend to be open on New Years Day. Many regional grocery chains, such as H-E-B to Whole Foods, will operate regular or reduced hours, though some pharmacy counters within larger stores may close earlier than the main store. What restaurants are open on New Year’s Day? If your January 1 plans include grabbing a bite or a caffeine lifeline, youre in luck: many restaurants and fast-food chains will be open, though individual locations might choose to adjust hours. In practice, that means staples like McDonalds, Starbucks, and other chains are likely to operate on holiday schedules. Likewise, 24/7 convenience stores such as Wawa, Speedway, and Dollar General, in most areas stay open, making them a reliable choice when youre in a pinch. That said, if you have a specific local favorite in mind, its worth a quick call to check todays hours before heading over. Is the stock market open on New Years Day? The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are closed on New Years Day. Wall Street takes the holiday off just like it does every year. Are schools open on New Years Day? No. Public schools and most all private schools will be closed on New Years Day. Does the bus run on New Year’s day? Airports, Amtrak, Greyhound, and major transit systems generally run through New Years Day. Expect holiday or Sunday schedules on buses and trains in many cities, so check schedules in advance if youre moving between cities or across town. Service levels vary widely by region, but no major carrier shuts down entirely. Are movie theaters open on New Year’s Day? For those looking to unwind on day one of 2026: Movie theaters almost universally screen films on New Years Day greeting crowds with morning and afternoon showtimes. Malls and shopping centers also typically open, often hosting post-holiday sales. Some may operate on a reduced schedule. Check local listings for showtimes and event schedules; big cities often host New Years Day brunches, skating sessions, and other seasonal attractions.
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This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps. Ive recently written about free, private AI tools and the best AI mobile apps. To build on that AI series, Im sharing a new guest post today on how to make the most of AI by Frank Andrade, The PyCoach. Hes an AI & Python instructor who has helped thousands of people on YouTube and Substack master AI with beginner-friendly guides and in-depth tutorials. As he starts a new journey on Instagram, hes offering his ChatGPT course free to anyone who follows & DMs him. Ive been using ChatGPT since the day it was released. Back then, there were no fancy features, model picker, or alternative AI tools to choose from. Things have changed in 2025 and Id like to share with you some things Ive learned so far: A couple of times per year, youll see headlines about a new worlds most powerful model. Ignore the hype. Stick to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or whatever tool you use. Give it a couple of months, and the headlines will be about your tool. ChatGPT can make you more productive or dumber. An MIT study found that while AI can significantly boost productivity, it may also weaken your critical thinking. Use it as an assistant, not a substitute for your brain. If youre a student, use study mode in ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude. When this feature is enabled, the chatbots will guide you through problems rather than just giving full answers, so youll be doing the critical thinking. ChatGPT and other chatbots can confidently make stuff up (aka AI hallucinations). If you suspect something isnt right, double-check its answers. NotebookLM hallucinates less than most AI tools, but it requires you to upload sources (PDFs, audio, video) and wont answer questions beyond those materials. That said, its great for students and anyone with materials to upload.Share Probably the most underrated AI feature is deep research. It automates web searching for you and returns a fully cited report with minimal hallucinations in five to 30 minutes. Its available in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini, so give it a try. ChatGPT and other chatbots have a short-term memory limit. In long threads, they may lose earlier details. Ive learned to periodically restate key points from the initial instructions or start a new chat when necessary. ChatGPT may occasionally misclassify a legitimate question as policy-violating. When it does, I reword the prompt or explain why Im asking. Free < Plus < Pro. Paid tiers are worth it for the extra intelligence and features. Pro tiers go further and can give you an edge, though not everyone needs it. If you handle high-stakes tasks, try Pro at least for 1 month. You shouldnt stick to the default ChatGPT mode. Go to the model picker and try instant, thinking mini, and thinking (here I explain each mode). If you have a pro subscription, use pro mode more often. The next big thing in AI is AI agents. An example is ChatGPT agentthink of it as ChatGPT that can take extra steps beyond a text response. It doesnt just respond to prompts. It can take actions on the web (visit sites, click buttons, scroll) and work toward a goal with minimal human input. Em dashes were around long before tools like ChatGPT ever existed, so dont hesitate to use them if that is part of your writing style. It doesnt hurt to learn the technical stuff behind AI tools. In fact, it can clarify some key concepts and make you more confident when you talk or use AI. ChatGPT cant browse the web by default, but if you turn on Web Search, it can even become a good replacement for Google Search (another good AI alternative is Perplexity). Its not wrong to use ChatGPT like Google Search sometimes. Youll often get immediate answers and move faster. Just dont forget to use temporary chats and projects to keep your chats tidy. Prompt crafting (or prompt engineering) is a skill you need to build if you want to make the most out of AI tools. AI moves fast, so you need to adapt. As ChatGPT gets smarter, some prompting techniques get outdated, while new ones emerge. Text expanders are a big time-saver for prompts. Tools like Alfred, Beeftext, or Text Blaze let you quickly type prompts and save, organize, and reuse prompt templates. [JC: Raycast is another good option for this.] You can be just as productive on the ChatGPT mobile app as on the web. On iPhone, the built-in Text Replacement feature works like a text expander and helps you type prompts faster. Find it under General Keyboard Text Replacement. Use voice mode in your phone to brainstorm or talk through topics when you want a second opinion. Ive tried this many times, and Im usually satisfied with the results. ChatGPT speaks many languages. You can practice your speaking and writing skills anytime. For translation, it beats literal, word-for-word tools like Google Translate because it understands context, intent, and cultural nuance. Chatbots can be overly agreeable. To get less agreeable responses, ask for opposing viewpoints, multiple perspectives, nd a critical take (if possible, avoid inserting your own opinions). See Jeremys piece on how to prompt boldly for more surprising, unusual responses. Midjourney is great for generating outstanding AI images, but for beginners, ChatGPT offers a better balance of ease of use and image quality (just make sure you follow this simple tweak). AI tools have made coding more accessible through vibe coding. However, if you dont know (or want to learn) the basics of programming, youll waste your time, because, at least for now, you have to guide the AI, check its work, and put it on the right course. Some AI companies are more privacy-invasive than others. According to a report, Le Chat (Mistral AI), ChatGPT (OpenAI), and Grok (xAI) are the least privacy-invasive platforms. Meta AI and Gemini (Google) were found to be the most aggressive in data collection and the least transparent about their practices. See Jeremys resources for private AI. Making the most of ChatGPT features Since ChatGPT was initially released, OpenAI has added a lot of features to improve the way we work with it. Some are essential, while others are more domain-specific. Most features can be accessed via the + button. Here are the features that every ChatGPT user should know: Web Search: Web search can help you get answers to contemporary questions. File Uploads: You can upload files such as PDFs, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, and presentations to ChatGPT. Projects: You can create folders to better organize your chats. Temporary chats: Great for one-off questions, helping you avoid clutter in your chat list. Voice mode: You can speak to ChatGPT instead of typing. Very useful when youre on the phone. See Jeremys guide to ChatGPTs Advanced Voice Mode. The rest of the features are more advanced and for specific use-cases. Create Image: A beginner-friendly tool that creates images or edits existing ones from plain-English prompts (this tweak helps me get the most out of it). See Jeremys guide to ChatGPTs new image generation tool. Deep research: Spends several minutes searching the internet to build complete reports on topics that need evidence, comparisons, and step-by-step reasoning. ChatGPT agent: It can take actions on the web (visit sites, click buttons, scroll) and work toward a goal with minimal human input. Study mode: A learning-focused mode that explains answers at your level, breaks topics into steps, and tracks what youve mastered or need to review. GPTs: Custom versions of ChatGPT you can configure with specific instructions, knowledge files, and tools to specialize in a topic or workflow. Personalization: Setting up custom instructions and memory lets ChatGPT know more about you and provides tailored responses. These features can also be used in the mobile app. In the guide below, I explain how I set up my iPhone to boost my ChatGPT productivity. iPhone setup for ChatGPT: Features to boost productivity in ChatGPT Want to learn more? Stage 1: Sharpen how you write prompts Prompting is how we communicate with AI. Writing good prompts is essential for anyone working with AI tools. ChatGPT has many features and modes, but they wont matter if you dont know how to write good prompts. The basic prompt: Task + Context Theres a ChatGPT prompt formula to get better responses. However, if I were learning prompting again, I wouldnt start with the formula. Why? The complete formula is valuable for advanced work, but for most everyday tasks, its overkill. Using all elements from the formula will slow you down and waste time. Most of the time, youll only need two elements: task + context Task: What you want ChatGPT to do Context: The extra details the model needs to deliver a more tailored response Heres a prompt example: Im a 75kg man who wants to gain 5kg of muscle in 1 year. Build a 1-year training program to follow. I dont have previous experience and I can train 45 days per week (6075 min per session). In the example, the task is to build a 1-year training program, while the context is the persons information and background to create a personalized program. The basic prompt should be enough for most everyday tasks. That said, when we do more complex tasks, well need to use more elements from the formula. Advanced track: The complete prompt formula The prompt formula I use has four extra elements: Exemplar: A short sample response that shows the structure to emulate Persona: Who ChatGPT should be while answering (aka role) Format: The required structure and presentation (tables, length, etc) Tone: The voice and vibe the response should adopt (friendly, formal, etc) When you feel that task and context arent enough to get a good response, add one of these extra elements to your prompt. For example, if I were a personal trainer, the basic prompt would be a good start to build a program for a few clients. However, as my client base grew, Id need a more robust, reusable prompt I could apply across clients. In the guide below, I transform our basic prompt into a more robust one by using every element of the formula. ChatGPT prompt formula: Examples, when to use it, and when not Stage 2: Learn how GPT-5 works ChatGPT used to have a wide variety of models to choose from (o3, 4o, o4-mini, etc). They were consolidated into GPT-5, which has a system that decides whether to use its Chat or Thinking mode for your task. The issue with GPT-5 is that the system doesnt always do a good job and might assign low reasoning to a task that needs deeper reasoning. Its best to avoid the default mode (aka auto) and choose manually the mode we need: Instant: Gives fast answers without spending extra time on reasoning steps Thinking: ChatGPT will think more carefully before answering. Responses take longer, but theyre more structured, detailed, and well thought out. Pro: Research-grade intelligence for high-stakes tasks Pro mode is only available to Pro subscribers. For 95% of people, instant and thinking (available to Plus subscribers) should be enough. For more details, check out my guides below. Complete guide on ChatGPT-5 modes: Who should use it, use-cases, & weaknesses ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscriptions: Worth it? Advanced track There are more advanced concepts you can learn to get better responses with GPT-5. Lets start with those that can be applied in the ChatGPT web app: Instruction following: Avoid contradictory instructions in your prompts. The model may get confused or waste time trying to reconcile the conflicts. Verbosity refers to the length and detail of ChatGPTs responses. Low verbosity is good for critical info and key takeaways, while high verbosity suits comprehensive, in-depth answers. You can explicitly set a word limit in your prompt. GPT-5 prompt optimizer: OpenAIs advanced tool helps sharpen your prompts. It can identify contradictory instructions or other weaknesses. This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps.
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