New year, new you - The art of starting small

A new year. A fresh start. Full of promise, excitement and optimism. All the things that didn't quite work out last year will all come together in 2025. Things you didn't start will be started. The goals will be achieved. The money will be saved. The weight will be lost. 

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Yes, yes, yes to all of this. But in January? Really? I don't know about you but when I wake up on the 1st of January I'm definitely not a new person. In fact, I'm exhausted from all the Christmas prep, the entertaining and probably with a headache from the New Year festivities! On 1st January, I'm barely a functioning human, never mind one who is going to change her life from that moment on.

Yet every year I set resolutions, promises to myself that big things will happen this year because everything will be different. But I don't change anything to make it different, and when I haven't made the progress I optimistically thought I would by the end of January, I get disheartened and often give up. Sound familiar? 

You’re not alone…less than 20% of resolutions make it past the first few months and by ‘Blue Monday’ on 20th January we’re all feeling guilty for giving up already.    

So this new year, here's my resolution. January will be the month to explore. Not to commit, but to try new things, test things out, learn from them, and adjust.


Here's how I'll do it...

Firstly, I will set my big goals. Things that I do want to achieve throughout the year. I'll focus on why they're important, what success will look and feel like, and frankly get on board the motivation train and get really excited about them! But Kelly, you said not to make unachievable commitments?

No, I said don't commit to doing everything in January! You must always start with the ‘what’ (you want to achieve) and why, and you need to feel the excitement in your bones about them. But here's the important part....what are the few things you're going to try in January which would get you off the starting blocks? That's all. Just dip your toe in the water and see what works. 

Now write down that list of your first steps and just try them. Like many of you, I have a gym membership and while I'd love to be a gym bunny taking Insta-perfect selfies, the first thing I need to do is commit to going a few times a week and trying different things. I am not promising myself that I will go to the gym five times a week when I know that’s not realistic. Instead, I might book into some different classes. I might get a personal trainer for a one-off session to help me learn how to use some of the more complicated-looking machines.

But with all of these trials, tell yourself they are a one-off. If I hate the class I don't have to go back, I'll see if another suits me better. I don't have to sign up for 6 months of personal training (there are another 11 months in 2025 when I can do that if I want to). 

Want to read 12 books this year but hate the first one you started with? Ditch it! Pick up another instead and don't let it put you off reading altogether. 

Want to eat healthily but hate the first few recipes you tried? Change them! You will eventually find some veggies which you love I promise. 

Want to learn an instrument but that tutorial book doesn't make sense? Find YouTube videos and different teachers until you hit on one that resonates with you. 

You are exploring. You are not committed to any one activity or way of doing. Take the pressure off. Just do something once because at least then you've done it once and you're off the starting blocks. 

Here's the next step... make adjustments. Many resolutions fail because we try to shoehorn them into our existing patterns of life without realising that something has to change. No, it's not possible to read for 30 minutes at bedtime if you still go to bed late and exhausted, you need to change your pattern to go to bed earlier. And no, it's not possible to squeeze in a yoga class at the time you usually do your food shopping and get back to pick the kids up on time. You need to do your food shopping another time. Explore changes to your schedule, just try them and see what works and what doesn't.

As with any experiment, it's important to record what you tried and what your results were. What worked well? What did you like? As you reach the end of January you're starting to map out your blueprint for the coming months.

Because while it's liberating to be in exploration mode, you need to use this initial momentum to slowly build the habits which will eventually get you to those goals. Worked out that it's Tuesday night when you feel able to sit down and do your online grocery shop. Once you get to February this needs to become more of a solidified habit. It's the Wednesday fitness class which was your favourite? Commit to going every Wednesday in February. 

And here's a little secret... February is the shortest month, so whatever you can commit to in February is the shortest monthly test you can do! Before you know it, you're at the end of Feb and you're already making progress without realising it!

So please, do set resolutions and dream big. But don't beat yourself up in January if things take longer than you planned. Test, learn, make changes, and do this all year. Now go out and explore!


References and additional resources

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author. All articles published on Life Coach Directory are reviewed by our editorial team.

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Durham, DL16
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Written by Kelly Elphick
Career, Business, Leadership and Life Coach
location_on Durham, DL16
Kelly Elphick, a qualified Coach, works one-on-one with clients to drive positive change and achieve results. She’s all about turning big dreams into bite-sized, actionable steps. With her fun, expert guidance, you'll tackle challenges, grow your mindset, and transform your goals into success stories.
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