Are You Still on Track with Your New Year’s Resolutions?

By mid-February, the gyms are quieter, daily planners are collecting dust, and the excitement of New Year’s goals has faded into guilt. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Most high performers start the year with ambitious resolutions, only to find themselves slipping back into old habits within weeks.

In fact, this drop in momentum is so common that it has a name: Quitter’s Day, which is the second Friday in January. This isn’t a matter of willpower—it’s a problem of how resolutions are set in the first place.

Alejandro’s Story: A High Performer’s Wake-Up Call

Alejandro, a global executive, started the year with a resolution to achieve a better work-life balance while exceeding all his goals at work. Like many high-performing leaders, he believed that setting strict boundaries and pushing harder would get him there. He planned to work fewer late nights, take breaks during the day, and even scheduled vacation time in advance.

But by mid-February, his schedule was packed with back-to-back meetings, travel, and critical deadlines. Late nights crept back in, personal commitments slipped, and his initial motivation faded. His resolution—like so many others—was failing because it focused on what he wanted to do rather than who he needed to BE.

Instead of abandoning his goal, Alejandro realized that success wasn’t about external rules, it was about aligning his goals with his deeper identity. He redefined success based on who he wanted to BE, not just what he wanted to accomplish.

His new identity? “I am a role model to my family, leading a purposeful and fulfilling life.”

From that identity, Alejandro set aligned goals:

✅ Committing to a daily evening ritual with his family, completely unplugged from work.
✅ Structuring his day to include consistent movement and stress-management practices.
✅ Reconnecting with past relationships and prioritizing deep, meaningful conversations.

By focusing on who he was becoming rather than just what he was doing, Alejandro not only improved his well-being but also became a more engaged leader, a better partner, and a more present father.

The Harsh Truth About Resolutions

Most high performers think they just need to push harder, stay disciplined, and force their way to success. But research tells a different story:

• 80-85% of resolutions are the same as the year before.
• Only 25% of people stick to resolutions past 30 days.
• Just 8% actually achieve their resolutions.
• The average person makes the same resolution 10 times before giving up.

Imagine making the same resolution 10 years in a row, only to abandon it by February—again and again. Sound extreme? It’s not. The system most people use to set goals is broken.

 

Start with Identity: The Key to Achieving Your Goals

High performers don’t fail because they lack discipline. They fail because they focus on external goals instead of internal transformation. The real key? Shifting from resolutions to identity-based change.

To create lasting success, high performers shift from resolutions to a three-tiered framework:

✅ Resolutions – A firm commitment to achieve a specific outcome (e.g., I will lose 20 pounds this year). These tend to be rigid and often fail due to lack of flexibility.

✅ Intentions – A guiding principle that reflects who you will BE (e.g., I am someone who honors my health and vitality). This is process-oriented and allows for sustainable growth.

✅ Goals – Specific, measurable actions aligned with your intentions (e.g., I will walk 10,000 steps a day and strength train twice a week). Goals turn aspirations into results.

This shift from outcome-based resolutions to identity-driven intentions and goals makes success more sustainable. Instead of chasing external milestones, you step into the version of yourself that naturally achieves them.

GET BACK ON TRACK:

1. Reframe Your Goals Through Consciousness

Rather than setting goals based purely on external achievements, develop deep self-awareness. Ask: What do I truly value? What kind of person do I want to become? Success begins with clarity—aligning your goals with a greater sense of purpose and intentionality. This shift represents the foundation of Consciousness—helping leaders make intentional decisions that align with their true identity. Your goals should align with your deeper identity and values, ensuring they are both meaningful and sustainable.

2. Build a Lifestyle That Supports Your Goals

Sustainable success isn’t about short-term motivation—it’s about designing a lifestyle that naturally supports your goals. High performers often fail because they focus on isolated outcomes rather than integrating habits that sustain their vision. By building rituals and structures that reinforce success daily, you create the foundation for long-term growth. The Lifestyle approach is about crafting a way of living that fuels your energy, health, and performance effortlessly. Create a structure that makes progress automatic. Want to write more? Block non-negotiable creative time into your calendar. Want to get in shape? Set up a workout accountability group.

3. Surround Yourself with a Thriving Community

True transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. The people you surround yourself with will determine your success more than willpower alone. Leaders who thrive intentionally cultivate environments that reflect their values and elevate their potential. Whether through mentorship, peer accountability, or shared experiences, the power of Community reminds us that success is amplified when we engage with those who challenge and support our growth. Surround yourself with people who elevate your vision, remove distractions, and place reminders of your commitment where you’ll see them daily.

Are You Ready to Win This Year?

Quitter’s Day isn’t inevitable, it’s a symptom of misaligned goals. If you want to sustain your momentum and create a year of breakthroughs, stop relying on willpower and start focusing on alignment, systems, and identity shifts.

This year don’t just set goals—become the person who achieves them. The choice is yours: will you keep repeating the same cycle, or will you finally take control?

Find Craig Bruce at: https://thecraigbruce.com/