Why Thinking Small Is Best When Trying To Make Big Changes In 2025

The Christmas period and start of a new year is a season of habits for many of us. Some of the rituals we like and actively look forward to, others are habits that have formed over the years, but they are easier to keep going than change or we aren’t really bothered enough to change.?

Making New Year's resolutions is one of those habits. Society seems conditioned to see the start of January as a time to plan for major changes in life, be it at work, home or as individuals. The papers and websites have been full of healthy new years plans, gyms will have big spikes in new members (some gyms increase membership by 40% in January) and businesses will have managers bouncing in from post holiday stating how 2025 is going to be the best year ever! Unfortunately most of these sentiments will be light on detail or an actual plan and will fail to answer the big questions “Why?” and “What’s in it for me?”.?

Human nature isn’t a fan of change

Humans are geared to look for the path of least resistance and as a consequence, in the absence of strong intrinsic motivation (understanding how this supports their core motivation), will be susceptible to low willpower or lack of commitment to change, or will look for shortcuts wherever they can. It’s not laziness, it's nature.?

Let’s face it, if you walked into a gym in January and the salesperson told you it will take 3 months regular training 3-4 times a week to notice big changes in your health and you will also need to change your diet. How many of you would be as keen to sign on the dotted line? The majority of people would rather sign up (the easy bit), spend a few pounds on direct debit (invisible cost) and make use of the gym for a month and the sauna and steam room for a bit longer, while not changing their diets. The key bit for gyms is the sign up part is easy, which is a really good lesson in making changes happen. The key to making change and adaptation happen is to make it easy, while having a clear understanding of “What’s in it for me”.?

Small steps lead to big changes

Those of you who work in technology delivery will probably be aware of an agile approach to change. Small, incremental changes that deliver immediate benefit/value or act as a building block for change.?

This is similar to the approach to change advocated by James Clear in his book Atomic Habits. Small, incremental changes in habits lead to compound benefits. The important factor being smaller changes are easier to stick to, are easier to action and work with human nature.?

The alternative approach to New Years resolutions

So before you commit to a list of big changes that are hard to deliver, maybe consider this alternative approach to change. May be the alternative approach below will help you make the progress you wish to make in 2025.?

1. Take the time to really understand why you are making the change, before you commit - Is it for something that is truly important to you? Intrinsic motivation is key to sticking to a change in habits.
2. Acknowledge that change and growth is usually uncomfortable and that you will need to tolerate discomfort to achieve your goals - By being honest with yourself, you’ll have more resistance. Your ‘why’ will need to be strong enough to drive you through the tough times ahead.
3. Prioritise the changes that add most value and look for compound benefits - Have you prioritised your goals? Are the changes you are making working together to boost the achievement of your Why?
4. Focus on changes that you have direct control - Then you can look in the mirror and see who can make it happen.? Too many people worry about things they can’t control or influence or focus on outputs e.g. I must gain that promotion. You aren’t the decision maker in that process therefore all you can focus on is doing the best job you can to get that role.?
5. Don’t let an off day or week allow you to give up - Human nature means you will skip new habits or have ‘Cheat’ days. This doesn’t mean you have failed, or that you are a bad person. You just need to regroup and go again. If you have a strong enough ‘Why’ you will reset and start again. If you don't, you'll be waiting for Jan 1st 2026.
6. Finally don’t wait for milestone dates - The best day to start your first small change was yesterday, the next best day is today. Monday, the 1st of the month, after my xx birthday is an excuse as, Nike used to say "Just Do It".

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