Ditch New Year Resolutions and Start Now
Every January, we tell ourselves: “This is the year I’ll exercise regularly,” or “I’ll start meditating daily,” or “I’ll finally eat healthier.” But let’s be honest - how often do those resolutions stick? Most of the time, they fail within the first month because we jump straight into new habits without addressing the root causes that make them difficult to sustain.
Instead of waiting for January to start fresh, use December to prepare. Think of it as laying the foundation - observing, reflecting, and priming your routines to make adopting new behaviours easier and more natural.
Set the Stage for Success
While new habits fail for many reasons, a common struggle is overlooking the preparation phase - both understanding why you want to build the habit and what’s stopping you from doing it.
What’s your real motivation? What are you trying to achieve? Getting clear on these deeper reasons can help you connect with your goal and stay committed to it.
Another reason habits fail is that we often don’t create the right environment for them to thrive.
Think of it like planting flowers: you can’t just drop seeds and expect them to grow. You need to clear the ground, prepare the soil, and make sure the conditions are right.
For example, if your goal is to work out regularly, you might find it hard to stick with because you’re too tired or your schedule is too packed. Addressing these barriers first - like improving your sleep or reorganizing your schedule - makes it much easier to build and sustain the habit.
How I’m Building a Morning Meditation Habit
Meditation, in one form or another, has been part of my life for many years, but I’ve never managed to make it a regular daily practice.
Through trial and error, I discovered one small but important observation that helped me get on the right track.
In the past, I usually meditated at the end of the day to calm myself and relieve stress. It felt like a tool for managing how I was feeling in the moment - reactive and focused on fixing the symptoms.
But after reflecting on what I truly needed, I realized I was approaching it the wrong way. Meditation isn’t just about stress relief for me - it’s about creating moments of stillness and silence that are essential for my creativity, focus, and clear thinking. I needed to make it part of my morning routine to set the tone for the day ahead, before jumping into tasks.
This month, I’ve started making small adjustments: carving out a few quiet moments at the start of my day. It’s a simple change, but it’s helping me lay the foundation for a consistent meditation habit in the new year.
Simple Steps to Prepare for New Habits
Developing habits is deeply personal. What works for one person might not work for another. That’s why it’s important to spend time observing your own routines, reflecting on your needs, and identifying the barriers that hold you back.
Here are a few simple steps that made it easier for me to stick with new habits:
Ask “Why?”
Dig into why this habit matters. Keep asking “why” until you uncover your true motivation - it’ll help you stay connected to your goal.
Identify Barriers
Figure out what’s stopping you. Whether it’s lack of energy, an overly packed schedule, or approaching it the wrong way, understanding the root cause lets you address it effectively.
Start Small
Take one small step to remove the barrier and ease into your habit. Small changes now make it easier to sustain the habit later.
Building lasting habits isn’t about willpower - it’s about preparation and setting yourself up for success. Use the time leading up to the holidays to observe, reflect, and make small adjustments. By the end of the year, you’ll have a good foundation, and when January comes, you’ll be ready to embrace new habits with ease.
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