Do You Know What Today Is?

It's Friday, yes. It's also possibly what's officially known as Quitter’s Day, the second Friday of the year when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions.

Some say that Quitter's Day is January 8. It's all made up by someone and becomes codified on the internet.

????23% of adults quit their New Year's goals by the end of the first week of January.

????43% quit by the end of January.

????80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February

Every January, we’re flooded with the “new year, new you” message. From gym promotions to social media, it’s everywhere—insinuating that the “old you” isn’t good enough. But that simply isn’t true.

Marketing thrives on convincing us that there’s something wrong with who we are now. The truth? There’s nothing wrong with the “old you.” You don’t need to become someone else to achieve your goals.

Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail (and How to Make Goals Stick)

If you’ve ever set a resolution and abandoned it by February (or mid-January!), it’s not because you lack motivation or willpower. It’s because the system is flawed.

Let’s break down why resolutions fail and how to set goals that actually work for you—without the pressure of becoming a “new you.”

Why Resolutions Fail

1. Unrealistic expectations. The idea that January 1st will magically transform us into a brand-new version of ourselves is, well, unrealistic. Real change happens incrementally—not because of a date on the calendar.
2. All-or-nothing thinking. Resolutions like “I’ll work out every day” leave no room for imperfection. The moment we miss a day, we feel we’ve failed.
3. Pressure from the calendar. The start of the year creates urgency to fix everything at once. However, sustainable change often requires?slowing down to speed up. (Links to a video I published last week.)
4. Harmful messaging. The “new you” narrative implies your current self isn’t enough. It’s not only untrue—it’s harmful. Growth doesn’t mean rejecting who you are; it means building on your strengths, honouring who you are and starting where you’re at.
5. Vague, negative goals. Goals like “stop procrastinating” or “lose weight” lack clarity and focus. Instead, ask yourself: What’s my ‘why’? How do I want to feel?
6. No action plan. If the same resolution hasn’t worked in the past, it might need a tweak. What can you adjust to make it more realistic this time?
7. Recycling old goals. If the same resolution didn’t work last year, ask yourself: What can I tweak to make it realistic this time?

How to Set Goals That Stick

1. Set goals year-round. No rule says change has to start in January. Begin when you’re ready, whether next month or next week.
2. Start small. Break big goals into bite-sized steps. For example, instead of “write a book,” start with “write for 10 minutes daily.”?
3. Focus on progress, not perfection. Consistency is more important than perfection. Aiming to “move your body 3 times a week” is more achievable than “exercise every day.”
4. Reflect and adjust. Life evolves, and your goals should, too. Celebrate progress and pivot as needed.
5. Honour who you are. Instead of striving for a “new you,” ask: What’s already working? What strengths can you build on?

Key Takeaways

? There’s nothing wrong with who you are now—you don’t need a “new you” to succeed. You are not broken.

? Resolutions often fail due to unrealistic expectations and vague goals.

? Sustainable change happens gradually, and you’re allowed to set goals any time of the year.

? Your worth is not tied to how perfectly you execute a plan.

? You’re allowed to adjust, pivot, and set goals at any time of the year.

What About You?

What’s been your experience with New Year’s resolutions? Do you find them motivating, or do they feel like unnecessary pressure? How do you approach goal-setting in a way that works for you?

Comment below and share your thoughts—I’d love to hear from you!

Let’s Work Together

If you’re ready to set meaningful, achievable goals that celebrate who you are right now, I can help. Together, we’ll create a personalized plan that works for you.

?? Click here to learn more about my coaching programs.

? Found this valuable? Share this newsletter with someone who might need a reminder that their goals don’t have to follow the calendar—or a “new you” mindset.

Until next time,

Andrea Toole

Life Coach | Neurodiversity Thought Leader | Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach

??P.S. Don't forget to register for my New Year, New Momentum Professional Reset Bootcamp. I've scheduled it for only a half hour on a Thursday evening (January 23), so it will be easy to fit into your day.

In this short amount of time, you'll:

• Diagnose your biggest professional roadblocks
• Learn three game-changing strategies to boost momentum instantly
• Create a clear, actionable path to your most successful year yet

It includes a Professional Reset Toolkit (a $97 value) to thank you for showing up.

And because I haven't written yet, I'm open to questions and suggestions. What do you want to learn? What are your challenges?