What I Wish I Knew Before Setting My New Year Goals

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Each January, I would sit with a notebook, full of energy and ambition. The start of a new year always felt magical. It was the perfect time to transform myself into the best version possible.

But here’s the brutal truth: most of those goals never saw February. The shiny motivation fizzled out, and the guilt of failure crept in. Over the years, I have learned a thing or two about why goals do not stick. Now, I wish someone had told me these things earlier.

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Dreaming Big Is Not Enough

It is great to try to shoot for the top, but unrealistic goals kill the spirit. I recall trying to wake up at 5 a.m. when I am a night person. As expected, I had a terrible failure.

Instead, I learned to break down your goals into manageable steps. James Clear’s book on Atomic Habits says starting small. For instance, instead of an hour workout, try 10 minutes. Momentum builds, then results stick.

Motivation Won’t Always Be There

Motivation is overrated. It’s easy to feel inspired in January, but that buzz doesn’t last. I used to wait for motivation to…