I’m not big on New Year’s Resolutions, mainly because I’ve had too many years of being “that guy” who signs up for the gym and quits going by the end of January. I came to realize that New Year’s resolutions are often fueled by two shaky motivators.
False Motivator #1: Something Magical Happens On New Year’s
Few people admit to superstition, because superstition is usually unconscious. January 1st is the same as any other day. The best one can hope for is a short temporary motivational boost. You’ll need another strategy to stay motivated after the temporary boost wears off. Personally I believe we need something other than money to motivate us. There needs to be an intrinsic motive, and one that doesn’t go away when the world moves on to the next seasonal event.
False Motivator #2: My Friends Will Hold Me Accountable
I used to believe that if I told everyone about my goals, then no one would let me quit. This is an immature and irresponsible position to take. Who could possibly be more invested in my goals than I am? Who is going to be motivated to kick my ass when I’m not motivated to kick my own ass? Nobody. People might cheer me on a little bit, but only I can get myself out of bed in the morning.
Self-Motivation as the Core Driver
True progress is fueled by intrinsic motivation. Success comes from taking responsibility for your own actions and finding meaning in the journey itself. When you connect deeply with the purpose behind your goals, you’ll naturally feel more driven to achieve them.
What Works
If you’ve grown disillusioned with New Year’s resolutions, consider this as an invitation to try something different. Start small, focus on the next 24 hours only, and find purpose in every step. Skip the fanfare and the big announcements. Don’t promise to do something every day if there’s no evidence that you actually will. I think it’s better to take action first and then show people the results.
So there’s no resolution forthcoming from me. I do have plans and goals, but I won’t be making any grandiose public announcements at this time. I’m not striving for any big breakthroughs in 2025. I don’t have a grandiose vision. Instead, I’m looking for ways to improve my simple disciplines in the moment.
