The Problem: Why Most People Quit Too Soon
Are you like me and ready to say “BUH-BYE” to last year and “HELLOOOOO” to a fresh start?
Every January, millions of people set ambitious goals, buy fancy planners, and swear this is the year they get their life together. And then… Quitters Day happens.
Yep, it’s a thing. The second Friday in January is when most people abandon their goals.
Why? Because setting a goal is easy. Sticking with it? That’s where the real work begins.
Sound familiar?
- You start the year strong, only to lose motivation after a few weeks.
- You’ve got notebooks full of plans but struggle to follow through.
- You jump from one idea to the next, never making real progress.
- You feel stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure where to focus.
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to stay stuck.
The Fix: How to Actually Make This Year Different
1. Pick ONE Non-Negotiable Goal
Forget the mile-long list. Choose ONE thing that matters most.
- Not 10 goals.
- Not 5.
- Just ONE.
The thing that, if you fully committed to it, would move the needle in your life or business the most.
>>> What’s your one non-negotiable goal this year?
2. Answer These Three Questions to Get Clarity
Question 1: What were your top three wins from last year?
Success leaves clues. Look back and ask:
- What are the biggest things you accomplished?
- Where did you feel most in flow?
- What came naturally to you and felt easy?
Gay Hendricks, author of The Big Leap, calls this your zone of genius—the place where your natural abilities and passions collide.
Your biggest wins reveal what you’re naturally great at. Use them as a guide for what to double down on this year.
Question 2: What three lessons did you learn last year?
Reflection = clarity. Before diving into the future, take a minute to learn from the past.
- What worked? Keep doing it.
- What didn’t? Let it go.
- Where were you scattered or trying to do too much at once?
Taking time to reflect will help you ditch what’s not working so you can create space for what will.
Question 3: Where can you be more focused this year?
It’s time to zero in on one thing that really matters. Think about:
- What one thing, if you fully committed to it, would change everything?
- What daily habit would make the biggest impact?
- How can you simplify and make it easy to follow through?
Remember Curly from City Slickers? It’s all about the “one thing.”
3. Use the 1% Rule to Build Momentum
Here’s the secret: Big wins come from tiny, consistent actions.
🔹 Researchers at Duke University found that 40% of our daily actions are habits. That means if you want to change your life, focus on changing small daily behaviors first.
Instead of:
🚫 “I’m going to work out every day for an hour.”
Try:
“I’m going to move my body for 10 minutes today.”
That 1% improvement stacks up—and before you know it, you’re actually doing the thing instead of just planning it.
The Bottom Line
Goal-setting isn’t about making a list and hoping for the best. It’s about taking small, intentional steps every day.
Pick ONE goal. 📌 Answer the three clarity questions. Use the 1% rule to stay consistent.
This is YOUR year. No more waiting. No more excuses.
Put pen to paper and DESIGN the life you actually want.
And if you need a system that keeps you accountable? My sweary planning system will help you plan your sh*t, crush your goals, and actually follow through. Grab it here!
