Beyond the Fresh Start
Your guide to maintaining momentum all year long
The second week of January brings a familiar scene: The holiday decorations are finally packed away, calendars are filling up, and that “fresh start” energy is starting to fade. Reality is setting in. If you’re feeling the weight of your New Year’s intentions already, you’re not alone.
I’ve learned through years of building companies and mentoring leaders that sustainable change isn’t about willpower or massive overhauls. It’s about understanding how lasting transformation actually happens—and then creating the conditions to set yourself up for success.
The Science of Sustainable Change
Why do 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February? Because we often try to change too much at once, without the proper foundation or support systems in place.
Let’s talk about three key principles that make the difference between temporary shifts and lasting transformation:
1. Start Small, Think Big
While having an ambitious vision is important, trying to revolutionize everything at once is a recipe for burnout. Instead, choose one area where positive change would create the biggest ripple effect. Then break it down into actions so small they feel almost too easy.
Want to improve your leadership presence? Start with taking three deep breaths before every meeting. Looking to build stronger board relationships? Begin by sending one thoughtful follow-up note each week. These small actions, when consistently applied, create powerful momentum.
2. Create Systems, Not Goals
Goals tell you where to go. Systems get you there. For example, rather than setting a vague goal like “be more strategic,” create a system: Block 30 minutes every Monday to review your priorities and identify your highest-leverage activities for the week.
The key is to make your desired behavior the path of least resistance. Remove friction from positive changes and add friction to patterns you want to shift. If you want to spend more time on strategic thinking, schedule it first thing in the morning when your energy is highest. If you want to reduce reactive email checking, turn off notifications and set specific times to process your inbox.
3. Build Your Infrastructure
Create an environment that supports your desired changes. This might mean:
- Restructuring your calendar to protect your most productive hours
- Setting up your workspace to minimize distractions
- Establishing clear communication protocols with your team
- Creating templates or workflows that make new habits easier to maintain
These structural changes make it easier to stay consistent, even when motivation fluctuates.
Maintaining Momentum
As you move deeper into 2025, here are some practical strategies to help your changes stick:
Track your triggers. Notice what situations or emotions tend to pull you off course. Are you more likely to skip your morning planning ritual after a late night? Do challenging board interactions lead to self-doubt? Understanding your triggers lets you plan for them proactively.
Celebrate small wins. Our brains are wired to focus on what’s not working. Make a conscious effort to acknowledge your progress, no matter how incremental. Each small win builds momentum for the next one. Consider keeping a “wins journal” where you document daily successes, no matter how small.
Adjust as needed. Sustainable change isn’t linear. If something isn’t working, don’t abandon ship—adjust your approach. Maybe that 7 am workout needs to move to lunchtime. Perhaps that ambitious reading goal needs to be scaled back. Flexibility is not failure; it’s wisdom.
Create feedback loops. Set up regular check-points to assess what’s working and what isn’t. This could be a weekly review, monthly assessment, or quarterly deep dive. Use these moments to refine your approach and celebrate progress.
The Long Game
Remember: True transformation is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about progress over perfection, consistency over intensity. When you approach change from this perspective, you’re not just creating new habits; you’re building a foundation for lasting success.