It’s that time of year again. A time when hopes are high, resolutions are made, and gym memberships soar. But here’s the truth: the vast majority of people who set New Year’s goals will abandon them before February even arrives. Research shows that about 80% of resolutions fail, often within the first six weeks of the year.

Why is that? It’s not because people don’t care enough or don’t want change badly enough. It’s because most people focus on outcomes instead of systems. We fixate on the results we want—like losing weight, saving more money, or having more quality time with family—but fail to create the daily habits and systems that make those results possible.

James Clear says it best in Atomic Habits:

“We do not rise to the level of our goals; we fall to the level of our systems.”

And here’s the hard truth: goals don’t determine success. Systems do.

Motivation Is Fleeting, But Discipline Lasts

Motivation feels great in the moment—it’s the spark that gets us started. But motivation is like a New Year’s sparkler: it burns bright for a moment, then fizzles out. That’s why resolutions fail. We can’t rely on motivation alone.

As Craig Groeschel says, “Successful people do consistently what others do occasionally.” What we need is something greater than motivation. We need discipline. Discipline is the bridge between good intentions and lasting change. It’s the commitment to show up, even when we don’t feel like it. Discipline is choosing faith in the process over the fleeting feeling of motivation.

Focus on Upstream Measures

Here’s where most people get it wrong: they measure the outcome instead of the input. Let’s say your goal is to lose weight. If all you do is step on the scale every morning, hoping for a lower number, you’re likely to quit when progress feels slow.

Instead, focus on what I call upstream measures. These are the daily actions that lead to your goal. For weight loss, that means tracking your food intake, drinking water, and burning calories through exercise. These actions are measurable and controllable.

Here’s an example:

• A single can of Coke has 140 calories. If you choose water instead of Coke for one meal a day, you’ll save 51,100 calories over the course of a year. That’s roughly 14 pounds of weight.

Now, imagine pairing that with other small changes—walking 10 extra minutes a day, or choosing veggies instead of fries once a week. Small, consistent actions lead to significant results over time.

The Compounding Power of Incremental Change

Never underestimate the power of small, consistent decisions. The magic of incremental change lies in the compound effect. A single small decision may feel insignificant, but over time, it creates exponential results.

Think about it:

• Journaling for just five minutes each day can give you over 30 hours of self-reflection and clarity in a year.

• Saving $5 a day adds up to $1,825 by December.

It’s not the size of the change that matters—it’s the consistency. Small habits, repeated daily, build the foundation for lasting transformation.

Celebrate Small Wins

One of the best ways to stay consistent is to celebrate your small victories. Check things off a list, track your progress, and acknowledge the effort you’re putting in. There’s a neurological reason this works: every time you check something off, your brain releases dopamine, giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Don’t wait for the big outcome to celebrate. Celebrate the upstream wins. Did you drink your water today? Check. Did you log your meals? Check. Did you take a walk instead of scrolling through your phone? Check.

Those small wins add up, and they build momentum.

Trust the Process and Embrace Delayed Gratification

Here’s where most people get discouraged: they don’t see results as quickly as they’d like. But real change takes time. There’s a reason farmers don’t plant seeds and expect a harvest the next day. Growth is slow, but it’s steady.

Focus on the process. Trust that if you’re managing the upstream actions—like eating better, exercising, saving money, or scheduling quality time—the results will come. The harvest is guaranteed when you’re faithful in planting the seeds.

Delayed gratification is hard, but it’s worth it. And here’s the key: get your gratification from the process itself. Let the act of showing up, of doing the work, of building the habit, be your reward.

Make 2025 Count

This year, don’t just set goals. Build systems. Focus on the small, daily actions that lead to big results. Measure what matters—your effort, your consistency, your progress. Don’t let the outcome discourage you; let the process inspire you.

Because here’s the truth: 2025 happens once. It’s your one chance to make this year count. So go out there, commit to the process, and trust that the results will take care of themselves.

Let’s make 2025 the year we don’t just set goals—we live them. One small, intentional step at a time.