Forget Resolutions: Improve Every Day—For You and Your Business

Millions commit to New Year’s resolutions like losing weight, saving money, or getting organized every January. Yet, most abandon them by Quitters Day, the second Friday of January. Strava research shows that 80% of resolutions fail by this date, often due to unrealistic goals, fading motivation, and lack of strategy.

Instead of setting yourself up for frustration, try New Day Resolve: a flexible framework that focuses on minor, daily improvements rather than sweeping, year-long goals. This approach works for personal growth and businesses looking to improve operations, leadership, and team performance.

Why Resolutions Fail

Most resolutions fall apart because they’re too ambitious and disconnected from daily reality. They rely on willpower and motivation, which quickly fade when challenges arise. Resolutions also focus on outcomes rather than understanding the root causes of problems without addressing the “why,” Meaningful Change is hard to achieve.

The Power of Questioning for Meaningful Change

Since Change is so difficult for everyone, let’s try something different that might be easier and work. How about we focus on QUESTIONING instead of CHANGE? We should question our daily habits, frameworks, heuristics, and defaults and ask why we do what we do.

Questioning can create the space necessary for something new and different to grow in us. This “new” is the seed of Change!

Anything that disrupts your status quo will initially be imperceptible. However, as your momentum builds from success, changes will follow, and with them will come the results that you have been desiring. Questioning isn’t about judgment—it’s about curiosity and self-awareness. You gain the clarity needed to make realistic, effective changes when you identify the underlying reasons for your behavior. For example, if you’re skipping workouts, ask why. Maybe your schedule is too packed, or your goals feel overwhelming. Understanding the “why” helps you design better solutions.

New Day Resolve: Focus on Small Wins

After questioning your habits, the next step is to focus on small, achievable changes you can make today. Forget year-long promises—daily progress is more realistic and practical.

Why it works:

• It’s Manageable: Small steps are easier to stick with.
• It’s Flexible: Tasks can be adjusted as you learn and grow.
• It Builds Momentum: Every small win boosts confidence and motivation.

Each day is an opportunity to act, reflect, and refine. This approach emphasizes progress over perfection.

“The best time to do something significant is between Yesterday and Tomorrow.” 

Zig Ziglar

Applying New Day Resolve to Business

This strategy isn’t just for personal growth. It can transform your business, too. As a leader, your daily habits shape your team’s success and your company’s growth.

Start by questioning key areas:

• Operations: Are processes efficient, or just routine?
• Meetings: Are they productive or wasting time?
• Leadership Style: Do you empower your team or micromanage?
• Goals: Are your objectives aligned with your long-term vision?
• Time Management: Are you focused on high-value tasks?

Questioning these habits can uncover inefficiencies and make changes that drive actual results.

Learn From Yesterday, Act Today

Every day offers a chance to learn and grow. Instead of regretting the past, use it as a tool for improvement. Ask yourself:

• What went well Yesterday?
• What could I have done better?
• What’s one thing I can do today to improve?

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live.” 

Dalai Lama XIV

The Key to Lasting Change

Lasting Change doesn’t come from bold declarations. It comes from small, consistent actions rooted in curiosity and awareness. Whether you’re working on personal growth or driving business success, questioning your habits is the first step.

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

Norman Vincent Peale

So, here’s today’s question:

What can you do to make today better than Yesterday—for yourself or your business?

Start small.

Start today.

The results will follow.