The Resolution Trap | Mindshift Moments

The Moment:

It’s January. You’ve flipped the calendar, maybe even set some big personal intentions for the year. But here we are midway through the month and those New Year’s Resolutions you set are already slipping away and you are falling back into your normal patterns.

The Mindshift:

If you’ve ever felt the sting of falling short despite giving it everything you’ve got, you know how draining this cycle can be. The problem isn’t you - it’s the way we’ve been taught to think about changing our behaviors. In fact, research shows that about 80% of resolutions fail by February. Why? Because they’re built on the same myths that keep even the most driven leaders stuck: Work harder, stick to the plan, set clearer goals.

New Year’s resolutions fail because real growth is less about willpower and more about making small shifts, embracing adaptability, experimenting, and learning.

Some myths to let go of in 2026:

• Myth #1: Effort equals results. Pushing harder might move the needle in simple work, but behavior change takes an entirely different type of work like noticing patterns, creating new habits, and designing tiny experiments.

• Myth #2: Discipline equals success. Sticking rigidly to the plan might feel noble, but it often blinds you to new information, shifts in priorities, and better opportunities.

• Myth #3: A clear goal is enough. Goals provide direction, but sustained change comes from running small experiments, reflecting, and recalibrating.

The Strategies:

Here are three ways to break the resolution trap and set yourself up for actual next-level growth this year:

1. Start with powerful questions.

Before you commit to goals, zoom out. Step back and ask yourself: If I were 10x bolder this year, what would I do differently? What’s one behavior I need to grow into the leader I want to be in 2026? What would I stop tolerating if I knew it would unlock my best work?

2. Shift from goals to experiments.

TDon’t lock yourself into rigid outcomes. Instead, frame your intentions as experiments: Here’s what I’ll try. Here’s what I think might happen. Here’s how I’ll check in and learn from it. This keeps you flexible and adaptive, which is exactly what complex leadership demands.

3. Ask questions that surface hidden patterns.

Block 90 minutes a week on your calendar just for you, to step out of the urgent, review what you’re learning, and adjust your path. Reflection isn’t indulgent - it’s the most strategic move you can make to actually stay on course.

The cost of sticking to old patterns isn’t just your frustration; it’s your untapped potential. It's the cost of doing everything the same way this year, but expecting different results. With these shifts, you’re no longer setting yourself up for resolution burnout and instead unlocking the boldest version of yourself in 2026…and maybe even inspiring your team to do the same.