Enough with new beginnings! What about continuing our plans?
Raluca Andreea Popa, PhD
Professional Certified Coach (PCC) | Associate Professor @ASE | Board Member @ICF Romania I Senior Researcher|
Everywhere I look, it’s the same story: fresh starts, bold resolutions, and promises of “new year, new me.” Honestly? It makes me want to roll my eyes (or worse).
Because here’s the thing—real progress doesn’t come wrapped in shiny packaging. It’s not about chasing the next big thing or scrapping everything for a clean slate.
What if, instead of being lured by the glow of something new, we focused on building what we’ve already started? What if, instead of resetting, we leaned into the messy, unglamorous—but powerful—process of refining and evolving?
The obsession with "New" vs. the power of "Next"
In leadership—and life—we often crave novelty. It makes us feel productive and inspired. But the constant pursuit of new beginnings can turn into a trap.
Here’s how it plays out:
Why do we do this? Because our brain loves efficiency.
The brain’s resistance to change
Your brain’s default mode is to conserve energy, which is why it resists change—even the changes you want to make. When you try to change too much at once, your prefrontal cortex—the part of your brain responsible for decision-making and focus—becomes overwhelmed.
Think of your prefrontal cortex as a battery—it has limited capacity. The more changes you throw at it, the faster it drains. This is why you often default to the familiar: your established neuronal pathways (the well-trodden roads in your brain) are faster and easier to use.
According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), over 80% of people abandon new goals within the first 30 days. The reason? Overwhelm.
Instead of meaningful progress, they hit decision fatigue and revert to old habits.
The dopamine dilemma: why we crave "New"
Your brain craves dopamine—the “feel-good” neurotransmitter.
Starting something new gives you an instant dopamine hit—it feels exciting!
But that’s temporary.
Real, sustainable dopamine comes from progress and mastery, not from novelty alone.
Research from Stanford’s Center for Neurobiology shows that when we celebrate small wins, the brain releases dopamine, reinforcing the behavior. Leaders who focus on small improvements instead of frequent resets are more likely to sustain their goals and keep their teams motivated long-term.
Enter the Saboteurs: How They Derail Your Goals
Here's where it gets interesting. The voice telling you that you need to start fresh to "fix" things? That’s your Saboteur.
Saboteurs are those inner critics and thought patterns that thrive on fear, doubt, and perfectionism. They sound like:
The Controller Saboteur tells you to take control through force, pushing you to restart constantly in an attempt to stay in control. The Restless Saboteur convinces you that staying put is boring, that constant motion equals progress. The Stickler Saboteur whispers that unless it's perfect, it’s not worth continuing.
These mental patterns trick you into abandoning progress for the illusion of “starting over.”
These beliefs undermine your resilience. Instead of viewing setbacks as a signal to adjust, they trick you into scrapping your progress. But adaptive leaders know that setbacks aren’t failures—they’re feedback.
According to McKinsey’s 2023 leadership survey, 72% of high-performing leaders attributed their success to incremental improvements rather than radical shifts. They focused on finishing, not constantly restarting.
The adaptive leader: master of continuity and growth
Adaptive leaders don’t abandon their ship for a shinier vessel when the waves get rough. They adjust the sails, refine the strategy, and course-correct without losing sight of their long-term destination.
Being adaptive isn’t about chasing change for its own sake—it’s about mastering the art of continuation:
The power of Positive Intelligence: rewiring Your brain for success
If you’ve noticed your Saboteurs whispering in your ear—whether it’s the Restless, the Controller, or the Stickler—it’s time to take back control.
Do you know what the Positive Intelligence (PQ) program is ?It is designed to help leaders like you quiet Saboteurs and strengthen Sage powers—those mental muscles responsible for calm, clear decision-making, even in the face of challenges.
In just 6 weeks, this program can help you:
The result? You won’t just set goals—you’ll finish what matters most and lead with ease.
Avoiding the productivity mirage
Starting something new feels rewarding—briefly. But ask yourself:
Neuroscientist Dr. Barbara Oakley reminds us that neuronal pathways become stronger with repetition. When you stick to a goal or project long enough, your brain learns to complete complex tasks with less cognitive effort. Continuation isn’t just about sticking to a plan—it’s about rewiring your brain for resilience and mastery.
The leadership challenge for 2025
Instead of setting a dozen new goals, choose one meaningful project or priority you’ve already started:
By focusing on continuing instead of starting over, you’re training your brain to associate progress—no matter how small—with reward.
People admire leaders who finish what they start, who build enduring legacies, not just fast wins.
Adaptive leadership requires embracing the boring brilliance of seeing things through.
In 2025, let’s be the kind of leaders who understand that true transformation doesn’t begin again—it continues. Your brain may resist at first, but over time, you’ll build the neural pathways that turn small steps into lasting impact.
What are you continuing to build this year?
#leadership #adaptiveleadership #growth