Forget the Resolutions: Start the Year With Strategy

Do you make New Year’s resolutions every January only to give up by spring? The real problem isn’t a lack of resilience or commitment. It’s the Resolution Mindset itself.

When I ditched that mindset a few years ago, I became more successful in accomplishing my goals. The Resolution Mindset nudges us to imagine a loosely constructed future built on sand — a handful of life-transforming goals that demand multiple 180º habit changes without any infrastructure or a path to get there.

That’s the real issue. Once I started treating my aspirations as a Mini-strategy instead of vague goals, everything improved. Strategic planning is an ideal framework for resolutions – aligned, measurable, realistic goals with timelines and tactics.

Now, I know your eyes may glaze over at the phrase “strategic planning”, but this Mini-strategy doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Just identify your 2–4 Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) for the year.

Let’s take one of the most common BHAGs — lose weight — and break it down.

How will you know you’ve been successful?
Is it the number of pounds lost? A drop in clothing size? That old pair of pants fitting again? Choose a metric that makes you happy and creates the least anxiety.

How often will you check your progress?
Too often, you might get discouraged. Too infrequently, you might lose momentum. Be realistic about when you should see change.  Weight loss is a process.

How will you approach the goal and stay on track?
Research shows weight loss isn’t just calorie counting and cardio. It’s sleep, healthy and regular meals, exercise, muscle building, and more. What tactics will you use early in the year? Which ones will you add later? Maybe January begins with better sleep, less candy and 20 minutes of cardio twice a week. In March, expand your time, increase frequency or add strength training.

How will you hold yourself accountable?
Use a calendar, app, or reminders — whatever’s easiest. Build in back-up tactics: “I’m missing my gym workout today, so I’ll walk around the neighborhood tonight.” And tell a friend who will check in and help talk you back from that slice of coconut cake.

Thinking through these quick questions now sets you up for success all year. If you slip, refocus and move forward. Don’t let a few off days throw you off your game; expect imperfection and keep it moving.

And if something isn’t working, update the goal. Sometimes, our aspirations are more about things outside of us than about our own passions and priorities.  Or, we set an unrealistic measurement.  After reflecting on what’s happening and what you truly want, adjust the goal or the metric.

If you’re done with resolutions that fade by spring, let’s build a plan that lasts.  You can start with a free Discovery Call to get clarity on what you want to accomplish this year.

Or, if you’re ready to make real progress now, book a 75-minute strategy session where we’ll clarify your priorities, build your Mini-strategy, and set you up with realistic, aligned goals.

Message me and I’ll share your next steps.