Have You Heard About Quitting Day?
No, it’s not a mass walkout from jobs. Quitting Day is the second Friday of January—this year, Friday, January 10th—when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. Sound familiar? The cycle goes like this: we set lofty goals on January 1, feel excited and motivated for a week, and then life happens. Something derails us, and we quit altogether.
I’ll admit I’ve been there, too. Year after year, I have set resolutions only to abandon them mere days or weeks later. Eventually, I stopped making resolutions altogether because the disappointment in myself became too heavy to bear. It was worked against my perfectionist tendencies.
Instead, I found something that worked better: setting goals and implementing new habits. It might sound like semantics, but the mindset shift has made all the difference.
Here’s why: When I stumble on a goal, I don’t feel like I’ve failed. Instead, I monitor, adjust, and get back on track. I also make my goals reasonable and achievable, breaking them into smaller milestones that give me little dopamine hits as I progress. This approach can help you, too.
If you’re at risk of becoming a Quitting Day statistic, let me offer some advice to stay committed to your 2025 goals.
Step 1: Reassess Your Goal
Ask yourself: Is this the right goal for me? A meaningful goal is one that deeply resonates with you. Imagine achieving it. Take a moment and truly visualize how you will feel when you achieve it.How does it feel? How does it impact your life, your family, or your work? If the goal lacks meaning, it’s easy to abandon it. But if it truly matters to you, it’s worth the effort to make it happen.
Next, evaluate whether the goal is reasonable and achievable. Huge goals aren’t inherently unachievable, but they often need to be broken into smaller, actionable steps. For example, instead of saying, “I’m going to write a book,” set a goal to write 500 words a day. These smaller steps create momentum and build confidence. If you are starting a workout plan after not exercising at all, start with 5, 10, 15 minutes 3x a week instead of 60 minutes 5x a week.
Step 2: Learn From Your Past
Have you set this goal before? If so, were you successful? If yes, what made your success possible? Are you implementing those strategies now? If not, it’s time to reintroduce those elements.
If you weren’t successful last time, reflect on what got in your way. Identify those obstacles and brainstorm how to overcome them. Often, this involves creating systems that make it easier to achieve your goal. For instance:
Want to go to bed earlier? Set a wind-down alarm an hour before your desired bedtime.
Planning to work out in the morning? Lay out your workout clothes the night before and set your alarm across the room.
By reducing friction, you increase your chances of success.
Step 3: Create Accountability
Accountability is key. Who knows about your goal? Share it with someone you trust—a partner, coworker, or friend. Better yet, work with a coach who can help you stay focused and navigate challenges.
Accountability doesn’t mean you’re being judged; it means you’ve built a support system. Sharing your goals adds a layer of commitment and gives you someone to celebrate victories with, no matter how small.
Step 4: Embrace Flexibility
Remember, achieving goals isn’t an all-or-nothing game. If you get off track, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Progress isn’t always linear. The key is to monitor, adjust, and keep going. Think of your journey like a GPS: when you miss a turn, it recalculates. You can do the same.
Step 5: Make Your Goals Inevitable
Set yourself up for success by designing your environment and routine to support your goals. For example:
If your goal is to eat healthier, stock your fridge with prepped fruits and veggies.
If you’re working on saving money, automate your savings so it’s one less thing to think about.
The easier you make it to stick to your plan, the more likely you are to succeed.
Let’s Stay Committed Together
Quitting Day doesn’t have to be your story. With meaningful goals, smart strategies, and a little support, you can keep moving forward. What are your 2025 goals? Share them with me in the comments or message me directly. Let’s work together to make this your most successful year yet.
Also, whether you want to check in on your goals or set some for the year, join my for my upcoming live workshop, Rediscover Your Purpose: A Success Path from Burnout to Balanced 2025. Find out more and register now!
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