Why Abandon the Traditional New Year’s Resolution?
Let’s cut to the chase: Don’t make a New Year’s resolution. Seriously, why bother? You know deep down that you won’t follow through with it, so why set yourself up for disappointment? But fear not; you’re not alone. Millions of people share this struggle, and there’s a fascinating concept at play here: Parkinson’s Law.
Understanding Parkinson’s Law
If you’re not familiar with Parkinson’s Law, let me break it down. It’s the universal law that proves that work expands itself to fill the time allotted to it. Put in real talk… the amount of work you have adjusts itself in time it takes to accomplish it relative to the time you give yourself to complete it.
Imagine you’re back in school, and your teacher assigns a paper or project on Monday, due by Friday. Did you diligently start working on it that very night? Probably not. Instead, you waited until Thursday night, fueled by adrenaline and caffeine, to complete the entire thing. That’s Parkinson’s Law in action.
Now, apply this to New Year’s resolutions. When you set a goal in January and give yourself a whole year to achieve it, what happens? Initially, you might be enthusiastic—the first week or two filled with determination. You’ve got all sorts of ideas for meals, new workout gear and a new water jug; maybe even a new gym membership.
But then life intervenes. A kid gets sick or your boss moves up a deadline and you won’t make it to the gym that day or you’ll ge so stressed you don’t want to eat that healthy meal you need some comfort food or a drink instead.
You tell yourself, “I’ve got 11 more months to tackle this,” and before you know it, the resolution fades into oblivion and you woke up this morning realizing that your beach vacation is in 30 days!
The Case for Smaller, More Manageable Goals
But wait! Does this mean you should abandon all aspirations? Absolutely not. Instead, let’s shift our perspective. Rather than one grandiose resolution, consider breaking it down into smaller, more manageable goals. Think of these as bite-sized achievements that pave the way for your ultimate success.
Successful people do 2 things that help them whenever they set a goal:
- They have that goal front and center in their face Every. Single. Day. The great Bob Proctor, one of the world’s foremost authorities on goalsetting and personal development always had his goal written down on a small index card in the pocket of his suit. If you goal isn’t front and center in your mind every day it’s easy to become distracted and not take the actions that will get you to it. Some of my clients have their goal as the background or lock screen on their phone. Others have it on a post it note on their dashboard in their car. And I even have some write them in dry erase marker on their bathroom mirror so it’s the first thing they see every morning.
- 2) Set small, manageable goals inside of your one big goal. Like have check points along a route, these mini goals are the leading indicator habits that help you get to the bigger goal over time.
For instance, suppose your big goal is to lose 20 pounds this year. Start with a modest target: Eat one serving of vegetables at each meal for two weeks. Once you’ve conquered that, elevate your game: Commit to 45 minutes of exercise four times a week. Gradually, build upon these small victories, like stepping stones toward your larger objective.
The Power of Consistent, Incremental Progress
By focusing on these smaller milestones, you’ll find yourself making consistent progress. Each achievement reinforces your commitment and propels you forward. Eventually, you’ll look back and realize that these seemingly insignificant steps have collectively led you to your significant year-end goal.
So, for this second half of 2025, let’s sidestep the traditional New Year’s resolutions and defy Parkinson’s Law. Embrace the power of small, deliberate actions. And if you need guidance, consider scheduling a goal-setting appointment with one of our BGB CrossFit staff members. They’ll help you map out a consistent and sustainable path to success—one day or week at a time. 🌟
Remember, it’s not about the grand declarations; it’s about the daily choices that shape our journey. 🚀
Coach Dana
