January 9 is often called Quitter’s Day. Research shows that nearly 50% of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned by then, and only about 9% of people follow through for the full year.

Why does this happen?

There’s a striking story in the Torah that helps explain it.

In the book of Shemos (Exodus), one of the plagues inflicted on Egypt is a massive infestation of frogs. They overrun homes, bedrooms, and public spaces. The noise is relentless. Life becomes unlivable. After days of this, Pharaoh—the king of Egypt—finally gives in. He promises to let the Jews go if the plague will stop.

The frogs do stop. They die suddenly, leaving piles of carcasses throughout the land. The suffering is over, but the consequences are still very much present.

And yet, once the immediate pressure is gone, Pharaoh changes his mind. Despite everything he’s just endured, he withdraws his commitment.

What’s striking isn’t that Pharaoh gave in under pressure. Many of us do the same. We commit to change when the pain is real, when the stakes feel urgent, when something clearly isn’t working.

The real test comes later—when things calm down, when the urgency fades, when daily life resumes. That’s the moment when follow-through becomes difficult, and when most commitments quietly fall away.

Growth isn’t proven in moments of crisis. It’s proven in the weeks and months after, when no one is forcing the issue anymore.

That’s the difference between making a resolution—and keeping one.