New Year, New Goals: One Bite at a Time

It’s that time of year again. The calendars flip, the gyms fill up, and the air buzzes with talk of New Year’s resolutions. Or at least, it used to. Lately, it seems like fewer people are sharing their resolutions out loud. Maybe it’s because they don’t want to set themselves up for failure, or perhaps they’re tired of resolutions fizzling out by February.

Here’s the thing: I don’t think resolutions themselves are the problem. The problem is how we approach them.

Too often, resolutions take on this “all or nothing” vibe. We say things like, “This year, I’m going to lose 200 pounds and compete in Mr. Olympia.” That’s a bold goal, sure, but it’s also overwhelming. And when the goal feels too big, it becomes easy to quit before we even get started.

The secret—and the good Lord knows I don’t always follow it—is simple: take it one bite at a time.

Instead of saying, “I’m going to lose 200 pounds,” start with, “I’m going to lose 10 pounds.” Instead of dreaming of running a marathon, begin with not getting out of breath walking a block. Small goals are less intimidating, and they give you a real sense of progress. Success builds on success.

I’ve seen this play out firsthand. Recently, I hit a milestone with my blog: 30 consecutive days of posting. When I started, I wasn’t trying to set a streak. I just wanted to share what I’ve learned and experienced with people. Day by day, post by post, I hit that milestone. It wasn’t about chasing a big, overwhelming goal. It was about showing up consistently, one small step at a time.

And you know what? It works.

So maybe the key to resolutions isn’t to declare, “This year, I’m going to [insert giant, life-altering goal here].” Maybe it’s to say, “This month, I’m going to [small, actionable goal].” Then next month, set another. Examine yourself regularly, adjust your goals, and keep moving forward.

Resolutions aren’t bad. They just need to be manageable. Focus on the little wins, and before you know it, you’ll be stacking them into something much bigger than you ever thought possible.

What’s your first “bite” going to be? See you out there.