Ditch resolutions!

Resolutions are broken promises waiting to happen. Replace them with intentional reflection and small, meaningful actions that compound into real personal and professional growth.

Every January, senior leaders set bold resolutions, only to watch them collapse under the daily realities of business and life—because wishful thinking never beats the relentless power of habit.

Every year it’s the same story: fitness clubs welcome most of their new members in September and in January. Recent research in the US shows that after one week, 23% percent of new members drop out. Out of the remaining 77%, half of them stop somewhere in the next months. The result is that after two years, only 19% of us kept up with our good intentions. Research points in the same direction when it comes to people trying to quit smoking, losing weight, or drinking less alcohol.

Key takeaways

• Leaders, if you want real change this year, forget lofty resolutions and start by building small, manageable habits—because consistent action beats grand intentions every time.
• You increase your odds of success by sharing your new habits with two or three trusted advisors and giving them permission to hold you accountable with tough love when you need it.
• Monitoring your progress with data—using your smartphone or smartwatch as a dashboard—keeps you honest and helps you avoid slipping back into old behaviors when motivation inevitably wanes.

Everyone starts with a positive spirit to try to change. But the reality is, most of the time this is not enough. We know that there’s a huge difference between the intention and the sacrifice to execute. We fall back, again and again, into our old behaviors. We are vulnerable when we’re distracted, disappointed, or drained with energy. And the problem is, this will happen sooner or later, but we don’t prepare for it. We are too optimistic and deluding ourselves.

So, what can you do to make 2024 a little better for you than 2023? Instead of good intentions, focus on changing some of your habits. Take these action steps:

Start small, don’t set huge goals. Starting is the most important step you need to take. However small it is. This is the reason Nike uses ‘Just do it’ as their tag line.

Share your new habit with two or three people that you trust. We know from research that sharing your goals with others increases your chances of remaining successful.

Give your trusted advisors a mandate to give you tough love if you need it.

Monitor yourself and use data. It will help you avoid sticking your head in the sand. It’s easier than ever to use technology as your guide: think about using smartphones and watches as your dashboard.

Continue practicing your new habits for at least 12 weeks and develop your new routine. After three months, you’ll notice these new habits becoming ingrained.

Don’t rely on willpower if you want to change yourself for the better. Willpower is a finite resource, and you will run out of it sooner or later. Changing your daily habits is the best way forward. Over time it compounds and starts to pay huge dividends. A great book that dives deeper into this phenomenon is: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.

So, for me no good intentions at the start of the new year. However, I will continue to change some of my habits in 2024 and continue my personal journey. I wish you all the best for the new year and thank you for your continued support!

Real transformation isn’t about the promises you make at the start of the year, but the habits you build when no one is watching—because sustained change is forged in the small, unglamorous choices you repeat every day.

Over to you.