Let me guess how this usually goes…
It’s late December. You’re fired up.
You say something like:
- “This is the year I finally get back in shape.”
- “No more messing around.”
- “I just need to be disciplined.”
And for a week or two, you are.
Then something always comes up to throw you off your groove.
Work gets busy. The kids get sick. Sleep gets weird. Your schedule blows up.
And suddenly your “New Year’s resolution” turns into that thing you meant to do… but didn’t.
So here’s my hot take as a coach.
Don’t make a New Year’s resolution.
Not because goals are bad.
But because the way most people set them up practically guarantees the same outcome: a strong start… then a slow fade… then guilt in February.
Why you should avoid making a resolution
There’s a concept called Parkinson’s Law: work expands to fill the time available for its completion. Click here to learn a little more
You’ve lived this.
If something’s due tomorrow, you magically find a way.
If you give yourself “all year”… your brain treats it like you have forever.
And that’s why “I’m going to get in shape in 2026” sounds inspiring…
…but behaves like procrastination dressed up as motivation.
Resolutions are really just outcome goals without a solid plan
Most resolutions are basically a wish:
- “Lose 20 pounds.”
- “Get strong again.”
- “Eat better.”
- “Be consistent.”
That’s great.
But what do you do on Tuesday at 7:40pm when you’re tired, the house is loud, and you’re staring at the fridge?
That’s where most plans die.
Because vague goals don’t tell you what to do when life hits.
And “just be disciplined” isn’t a plan.
What I’d recommend
I am definitely not saying goals are bad.
Quite the opposite!
Goals without a real way to accomplish them are the problem.
So here’s the shift:
Keep the big goal for the year.
But build it with small goals you can actually win.
Instead of giving yourself 12 months to “get healthy”… you set smaller daily or weekly goals.
Because small goals do two powerful things:
- They make the next step obvious.
- They turn “motivation” into momentum.
So how do you know what those smaller goals will be?
Well, I’ll walk through a quick example.
Let’s stick with the example of wanting to lose 20lbs.
I want you to close your eyes and think about that 20lb lighter version of yourself.
What does this person do?
When do they wake up?
What are their habits like?
Do they go for a walk every day?
What do they eat?
These are the little goals you should be shooting for!
If you work to build the habits of that person you want to be, slowly but surely you will be changing into that person.
Now, if you think you will struggle with this and want a professional’s help we got you.
This is exactly what we do inside a free assessment at TENRA.
Not a “rah rah” pep talk.
A real, coach-led plan where we:
- figure out what you can realistically do with your schedule,
- choose the smallest changes that move the needle,
- and map out the next few weeks so you’re not guessing.
It is unrealistic to try to be perfect.
But we can set you up with a plan that can survive your life and your schedule to move you in the right direction.
Book your free assessment here: https://tenrafitness.com/free-intro/