NEW YEAR. New You?

We've made it to another new year, and with it come those daunting decisions about resolutions. Is this the year you finally accomplish the goals that have managed to dodge you for so long? Could this be the moment you get better sleep, save more money, lose those extra pounds, start that new hobby, become more patient, manage your time better—insert your resolution of choice here.

I love the optimism that comes with a fresh start. A chance to say, "Don't worry about the past—just focus on what's ahead." For many, January 1st represents exactly that: a time to reflect on the previous year and set new goals for the one to come. We look back at where we succeeded and where we might need a bit of work.

As I began my own annual ritual of reflection and analysis, I realized: one year just isn't enough time for me. If I want to improve my chances of achieving my goals, I've decided I need to stagger the start times throughout the year.

Take my recurring goal to improve my gym attendance. Every January, the gyms fill to capacity—a clear sign that a lot of people have the same idea. I'm willing to bet that gyms across the country would agree that January is peak season for new memberships. And every year, like clockwork, the crowds thin out. By the end of February, all that "New Year motivation" has fizzled, and many of us have quietly slipped back into our old habits.

“Don’t worry about the past—just focus on what’s ahead.”

So, after much thought, I've crafted what I believe is a foolproof strategy to make this my most successful year yet. The goal remains the same—go to the gym more consistently—but instead of starting in January, I'm starting in May. That way, when I inevitably stop going after two or three months, I'll be able to say, "At least I made it to July," instead of, "Well… at least I made it to March."

As funny as it sounds, staggering my start dates has helped me rethink the way I approach improvement. Not everything has to begin on January 1st, and not every goal needs the pressure of a twelve-month countdown. Spreading out the start times gives each goal room to breathe—and gives me a better chance at sticking with them. Sometimes success isn't about trying harder; it's about structuring your efforts in a way that works for you.

The same principle applies in business. Companies often set annual goals only to abandon or revise them a few months later when reality hits. But staggering initiatives throughout the year—launching projects when the timing is right, reassessing priorities quarterly, and giving each objective its own runway—can lead to far better outcomes. Whether personal or professional, goal setting works best when it aligns with real habits, real capacity, and real timing. So, this year, instead of one giant reset in January, try giving yourself (and your team) a calendar full of smaller, better-timed fresh starts. It might just make July feel a lot more successful than March ever did.