3 Steps to Help You Beat "Quitter's Day"

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As we prepare to turn the calendar toward a new year, it's normal to reflect on our lives and consider improvements we'd like to make.  We ponder diets, exercise plans, business ventures, career goals, and more.  It's all about making a fresh start at becoming the best we can be.


But how often have you made resolutions only to forget about them after a month, or even sooner?  The second Friday in January is known as "Quitter's Day" because so many of us give up on our improvement plans by then.


There's an art to making resolutions that can stand the test of time.


What's around the corner?



Tips for making successful resolutions


1.  Make bite-sized goals.

Do you want to run a marathon or finish your book?  Break that big goal into tiny steps.  Really tiny.  Decide to get suited up, stretch, and run around the block each day.  Open your manuscript and write just one sentence.  You can always do more, but as long as you do that much, you've met your goal.  You're building a habit – turning yourself into a person who runs or writes every single day.



2.  Pair something you enjoy with your goal.

Maybe you know what you want, but you keep getting distracted and off-track.  What's tempting you to give up your goal?  Turn it into your motivation.


Katy Milkman, author of a book called How to Change, suggests "bundling."  "Couple something you love with your habit," says Milkman, such as listening to your favorite music while you work out, or watching your favorite show after you put money into savings.


3.  Redefine failure.

We're human, and missteps are part of life.  But we can be so hard on ourselves after one failure that we give up altogether.  Instead of calling a missed day "failure," call it "human," and give yourself grace.  Come back.  Start again.  Don't spend even a moment chastising yourself, but make room for hope and the possibility of growth. 





A fresh start


Transforming your life can be challenging.  But if you take tiny steps, bundle your behaviors, and let yourself start over after a slip-up, the payoffs will be great – and that will provide even more motivation on your journey.


We could all use a fresh start.  Happy New Year!


Have you benefitted from my work in 2024?  Why not buy me a coffee?


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