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Don’t Wait for January 1st: Start Crushing Your New Year’s Goals Today

Grant Lawson
ILLUMINATION
Published in
5 min readDec 27, 2024
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

Every year, millions of us craft ambitious New Year’s resolutions: lose weight, save money, learn a new skill, or finally read those books gathering dust on the shelf. And every year, many of us fall off the wagon by mid-February. It’s not because our goals are flawed; it’s because our timing and approach often are.

Here’s a secret most successful goal-setters know: you don’t have to wait until January 1st to start making a change. In fact, starting today — yes, today — could set you up for far greater success. Here’s why getting a head start on your New Year’s goals can make all the difference, along with practical steps to begin right now.

The Problem with Waiting for January 1st

The allure of a fresh start is powerful. January 1st represents a clean slate, a psychological reset button that feels tailor-made for tackling our dreams. But that same allure often backfires. Here’s why:

  1. Perfectionism Paralysis: Waiting for the “perfect” day to begin can lead to procrastination. If you miss the mark — say you falter by mid-January — you might abandon your goal entirely, thinking you’ve failed.
  2. The Holiday Hangover: Starting fresh after the indulgence of the holiday season is harder than it seems…

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ILLUMINATION
ILLUMINATION

Published in ILLUMINATION

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Grant Lawson
Grant Lawson

Written by Grant Lawson

Seasoned professional with experience across finance, tech, and media. Writer on politics, business growth, and Medium strategies.

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