Why most fail — and how to make yours stick
The promise of a clean slate or fresh start is almost intoxicating. The possibility! The anticipation! The powerful mental visual of ‘future you’ celebrating a brand new milestone. It’s no wonder so many of us get caught up in new year, new you vibes. They feel so good.
But fast-forward a few months, and the vibes are often very different. Once the initial excitement fades, our follow-through often falls off a clip.
Here’s the good news: losing momentum isn’t a personal flaw. You don’t lack discipline. You’re human. Our brains are built for short bursts of motivation, not indefinite effort.
That’s why it’s so important to break big goals up into smaller milestones. You’re more likely to “stick to it” if you schedule plenty of rewards along the way.
It’s also helpful to focus less on the ‘what’ and more on the ‘why’. When you’re clear on why you want to stick to a new habit, you’re more likely to stay the course. Your methods might change, but your focus remains steady.
Another tip is to focus on rhythm, not streaks. You’ll miss days — everyone does. What matters is returning to the habit when you can, not throwing it away.
Whatever you do, don’t aim to become a different person overnight. Change that’s sustainable takes time — it’s a slow burn, not an instant success.