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Why People Don’t Follow Through on New Years Goals Think process, then Outcome |
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“Success is a journey, not a destination” Arthur Ashe |
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I pulled into the gym parking lot last Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. It was PACKED! As I made my way in, there were far more people than normal. And if you’re reading this, you know why: New Year's Resolutions. It was mobbed with new faces all looking for one thing: Change. Why Most Won’t Make It You probably don’t like the subtitle above. You may even find it cynical. But have you heard of National Quitters Day? National Quitter's Day is the second Friday in January, a culturally recognized day when many people give up on their New Year's resolutions, with studies showing around 80% of resolutions fail by then. It's a moment for reflection, often used by wellness advocates to encourage people to reset and try again, rather than view it as a final failure, emphasizing setting realistic, SMART goals.1 8 out of 10, not making their goals? Why?? The Top 5 Reasons Here are the top reasons, based on psychology and data:2 1. Unrealistic or Vague Goals: people “bite off more than they can chew”. Solution: Have a reasonable Q1 subgoal 2. No Immediate Results: The brain wants quick wins; when they don't appear, motivation drops, leading to "brain fatigue" and quitting. Solution: Create & track the number of sessions you will hit in Q1 - remember, it's more about habits than about fitness of what you look like. 3. Overwhelm & Too Much Change: Trying to change too much at once (diet, exercise, new habits) feels like another chore on an already busy life. Solution: Just stick to the number or idea you described in #2. 4. Motivation Fades: The initial excitement of a new year wears off, and the reality of consistent effort kicks in, causing people to abandon their plans. Solution: Find a fitness partner, or a small online group to hold you accountable. Do not go at this alone. 5. Focusing on Outputs, Not Inputs: Goals centered on outcomes (e.g., "lose 20 pounds") are harder than focusing on daily actions (e.g., "walk 30 minutes"). Solution: As mentioned above, this is the most important idea; you have to build habits, not get hung up on results. Bottom line Focus on habits, and stop chasing results. Or another popular way to put it is, “Focus on process, then outcome.” For example, don't try to lose 4 pounds in January - commit to going to the gym 12 times. This is the best way to create a path to success on all fronts. Remember this: You won’t rise to your expectations; you will fall to your level of preparation. And this is where Resilience training will play a role in 2026 for you. But you've gotta pursue it. Rise up—your future won’t pursue you. All the best, |
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nnFounder, The Performance Group |
