HEADING INTO THE NEW YEAR: Resolutions Are Cool, But Reassess Throughout the Year

As we step into a new year, it’s natural to reflect on the past and look ahead with a sense of hope and possibility. The energy around New Year’s resolutions is contagious. People are thinking about all the ways they’ll improve their lives—whether it’s getting fitter, advancing in their careers, or mastering a new skill. Resolutions have their place, and they can be motivating, but if I could give anyone a piece of advice heading into this new year, it would be this: don’t just make a resolution, make a habit of reassessing your goals, habits, and values throughout the year.

Sure, setting a big goal at the beginning of the year feels exciting. But without a strategy and the willingness to adjust as you go, it’s easy to find yourself in the same spot twelve months later, wondering where the time went. One year is a short period of time, and it passes faster than you think. If you want to make real progress, it’s about consistency, self-awareness, and continual refinement.

Life is dynamic. Your circumstances change. Your energy levels fluctuate. Your priorities evolve. That’s why a set-it-and-forget-it approach to resolutions often falls short. Resolutions are like seeds, but goals are the soil, and habits are the sunlight and water that make them grow. By regularly reassessing, you give yourself permission to evolve and shift. It’s not about abandoning your goals if things don’t go perfectly—it’s about adjusting your tactics, refining your strategies, and staying aligned with your core values. This habit of continual reassessment keeps you connected to your why, preventing burnout or frustration when things inevitably get challenging.

When it comes to health, fitness, or anything related to personal growth, there’s one thing you should never do: wait. Waiting for the “perfect time” to start a fitness plan or wait for conditions to be ideal is a trap. The truth is, training and health aren’t things that get better with procrastination. Every year you put it off, you’re just a year older and a year further from your goals. One year is incredibly short. Think about it: 365 days sounds like a lot, but blink and half of them have passed. The longer you delay starting a healthier lifestyle, the harder it gets to get going. This year is the time. Small changes—consistent, incremental actions—add up to monumental transformations. Don’t wait for some magical moment to start. Start with your big rocks (goals) and break them down into pebbles (actionable steps).

If you do choose to make a New Year’s resolution, be sure it’s paired with a clear, actionable strategy. Just having a goal isn’t enough. You need a plan, and most importantly, you need to be prepared to pivot when necessary. This means breaking down your big goal into smaller, achievable milestones. It’s about creating a realistic timeline and identifying potential obstacles before they happen.

For instance, if you decide to get fit this year, don’t just say “I’m going to work out more.” Instead, break it down:

1. What does “working out more” mean? Are you aiming for 3 workouts a week? What kind of workouts?
2. What’s your schedule? When will you make time for your workouts? Can you wake up earlier, or plan for post-work hours?
3. What obstacles might you face? Time, energy, motivation—how will you handle these?
4. How will you track progress? Will you track reps, minutes, or specific health markers like weight or heart rate?

This strategy helps you stay focused and sets you up for success, but it also leaves room for flexibility. Sometimes life throws curveballs, and when that happens, you want to be able to assess, readjust, and keep moving forward. Whether you’re setting a goal for fitness, career, or any other area of life, keep in mind that the time will pass regardless of what you choose to do with it. If you want to make real changes, don’t wait for some external motivation or the “perfect” time. The time is now. You can choose to take small, consistent steps every day. You can decide to reassess your habits, goals, and mindset along the way. At the end of the year, you don’t want to be in the same place you are today. If you make your resolutions about sustainable habits and incorporate a strategy for progress—and reassess along the way—you’ll find yourself looking back with pride at the growth you’ve made, even if it wasn’t perfect.

So, here’s to a year of progress, not perfection. Happy New Year!