Why Resolutions Often Fall Flat
January often arrives with a sense of pressure.
A long list of resolutions.
A push to reinvent ourselves.
A belief that we must start strong and sustain perfect momentum all year.
But resolutions rarely last.
Most of them are very do focused.
Do more exercise.
Eat better.
Lose weight.
Get organised.
Be more productive.
They jump straight into action.
They ask us to change our behaviour without first understanding who we want to be or how we want to feel.
In my recent blog post about feelings in business strategy, I talked about the difference between the Be Do Have and Have Do Be models.
Resolutions often come from a Do mentality.
If I do all these things, then I will feel better.
If I act differently, then I will finally become the person I want to be.
But lasting change usually begins at the level of being.
Identity.
Emotion.
Self perception.
The internal shifts that quietly guide the external ones.
Why I Choose a Word for the Season
This is one of the reasons I stopped setting New Year resolutions years ago.
They felt too rigid.
Too disconnected from my real life.
Too focused on doing without considering whether those actions matched the season I was actually in.
Instead, I choose a word for the season.
A whole year is a long time.
Too long, in many ways.
Life moves.
Circumstances evolve.
Priorities shift.
Several years ago I came across the book The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington.
The idea that a year is too long for meaningful focus made instant sense to me.
The concept of working in shorter cycles appealed to me and aligned with natures seasons.
So I adopted the 12 week year rhythm in my own life and work.
It gives me room to pause, adjust, and respond to what I need.
My word sits at the heart of that rhythm.
How My Word Arrives
After doing this for many years, my word usually arrives on its own.
I do not force it.
It tends to rise to the surface quietly as I reflect on the season ahead.
It was not always like this.
In the early days I had to sit with it.
I had to explore different possibilities.
I had to give myself time and space to listen for what felt true.
So if this idea is new to you, be gentle with yourself.
Your word may not appear straight away.
It may take a few days, or even a few weeks.
That is completely normal.
Like any reflective practice, it grows with time.
My Word for This Season
This season, my word is Belief.
I want to feel:
- Belief in myself.
- Belief from others.
- Belief that I can and will help others create meaningful change in their lives and businesses.
- Belief that my work matters.
And in a wider sense, I want to feel belief in humanity too.
The world feels heavy and divided in so many ways.
It is easy to slip into doubt.
Belief helps me look for the good and hold onto hope.
Belief builds on my last seasonal word, Bold.
Bold encouraged me to stretch myself.
Belief helps me root that boldness in something steadier and more sustainable.
A Gentler Way to Start the Year
Choosing a word is not about becoming someone new.
It is a gentler alternative to resolutions because it adapts with me.
It asks for awareness rather than perfection.
It guides instead of pushing.
If resolutions do not feel right for you this year, you might explore this idea too.
Ask yourself:
- How do I want to feel this season
- What identity do I want to lean into
- What would support me over the next 12 weeks
- What feels true for the season I am in
Let your word emerge from there.
No pressure.
No reinvention.
Only intention and awareness.
Whatever word you choose, I hope it helps you start the year in a way that feels grounding, spacious, and aligned with who you are becoming.
If you feel comfortable, I would love to hear how you are approaching the start of the year.
Some people still enjoy setting resolutions.
Some choose a single word.
Others are experimenting with a gentler alternative for the first time.
If you have chosen a word for this season, feel free to share it in the comments.
Your reflection might be exactly what someone else needs to read today.