2025 is finally here, and the air is buzzing with optimism. Everyone has done what they always do—make New Year resolutions to lose weight, be more organized, live a fuller life, or pursue any number of other lofty goals. If you’re one of those people, you’re not alone.
Let me tell you about a friend of mine. She’s a marketing executive in her mid-30s, and she went into the New Year 2024, with high hopes. She planned to wake up at 5 a.m. every day to hit the gym, stick to a strict budget, and finally start the side hustle she’d been dreaming about for years. She bought a new planner, filled her fridge with healthy food, and even blocked off time on her calendar for her goals. She felt unstoppable.
But by February, things had unraveled. The gym bag sat in her closet, untouched. Her credit card bill was higher than ever. And the side hustle? Let’s just say the website’s still in 'coming soon' mode. She felt defeated. 'Why do I bother making resolutions?' she asked. 'I never stick to them anyway.'
My friend’s story isn’t unique. Research shows that **91% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions**. While the intentions are good, the way we approach resolutions often sets us up for failure. Let’s explore why.
### The Resolution Trap: Why We Fall Short
To be clear, my friend isn’t lazy or unmotivated. Like many of us, she fell into the resolution trap—a cycle of setting goals without the tools or strategies to achieve them. Without the proper tools and strategies in place, we set ourselves up for the following:
- Overwhelming Expectations: Resolutions like 'exercise every day' or 'save $10,000' sound inspiring, but they’re often too ambitious to sustain without a realistic plan.
- Lack of Clarity: Vague goals such as 'get healthier' or 'be more productive' lack the specific steps needed to take action.
- No Accountability: It’s easy to give up when no one is checking in on your progress.
- Emotional Burnout: Life gets in the way—stress at work, family obligations, and the unpredictability of daily life can sap your energy and focus.
- All-or-Nothing Thinking: One missed workout or slip in your diet can feel like failure, making it tempting to give up entirely.
Have you ever set a big goal and felt defeated before you even started? The problem isn’t the idea of resolutions; it’s the way we approach them. Real, lasting change doesn’t happen because the calendar flips to January—it happens when we shift our mindset and create a structure that supports our goals.
### From Frustration to Fresh Start
Another friend, a professional in his early 40s, found himself stuck last year. 'I wanted to be more present with my family,' he shared, 'but I was constantly distracted by work, emails, and the endless to-do list. He set out to change that with New Year’s resolutions. He vowed to cut back on work hours, prioritize family time, and start meditating daily.
By March, though, he was overwhelmed. HIs work hours hadn’t changed, and he was constantly playing catch-up. Family dinners were rushed, and his meditation app was unopened. Frustrated, he decided to try something different—he hired me, a coach.
With coaching, he gained clarity on her priorities. Together, we broke his big goals into smaller, actionable steps, like ending her workday at 5:30 p.m. and scheduling dedicated family time twice a week. By the end of the year, my friend wasn’t just spending more time with her family—he was thriving at work, feeling more present, and rediscovering his sense of balance.
My friend’s story highlights an important truth: success doesn’t come from sheer willpower alone. It comes from creating a supportive framework for change.
### The Missing Ingredient: A Framework for Success
Imagine trying to build a house without blueprints or tools. You might have an idea of what you want—a cozy living room, a kitchen filled with light, and a strong foundation to support it all. But without a detailed plan or the right tools, you’re left guessing. You might start hammering nails into wood only to realize later that you’ve built the kitchen where the bathroom was supposed to go. Or worse, you might abandon the project altogether when it feels overwhelming. That’s what most of us do when we set New Year’s resolutions
Now think about how differently the process would go if you had a professional builder by your side. They’d help you create a clear blueprint, guide you step by step, and provide the tools you need to bring your vision to life. That’s what coaching does—it takes your dream and turns it into a structured, actionable plan.
Like building a house, achieving your goals requires more than just enthusiasm. It requires intentionality, support, and the right resources. Without these, even the most ambitious resolutions can collapse under their own weight. Coaching offers that structure, support, and strategies you need to turn your dreams into reality.
Research backs this up. The American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) did a study on accountability and found that you have a 65% chance of completing a goal if you commit to someone. And if you have a specific accountability appointment with a person you've committed to, you will increase your chance of success by up to 95%.
Here’s how coaching creates a pathway to success:
- Clarity on Your Goals: A coach helps you identify what truly matters to you, so your goals align with your values and vision.
- Breaking Goals into Steps: Big goals are intimidating; small, actionable steps are achievable. Coaching helps you map out the journey in a way that feels manageable.
- Accountability and Encouragement: Whether it’s a weekly check-in or a pep talk when motivation wanes, a coach keeps you on track.
- Challenging Your Mindset: Many people struggle with self-doubt or limiting beliefs. A coach helps you rewrite the narrative in your head, turning 'I can’t' into 'I will.'
- Celebrating Progress: A coach doesn’t just focus on the finish line—they help you acknowledge and celebrate the small wins along the way.
###Common Myths About Coaching—and the Truth Behind Them
Coaching can be transformative, but it’s often misunderstood. Many people hesitate to explore coaching because of misconceptions about what it involves. Let’s debunk some common myths and shed light on the real philosophy behind coaching.
Myth 1: Coaching is Only for People Who Are Struggling
The Truth: Coaching isn’t just for people who feel stuck—it’s for anyone looking to grow, achieve, and thrive. While coaching can help you navigate challenges, it’s equally valuable for high achievers who want to take their success to the next level. Coaching is about unlocking potential, not just fixing problems.
Myth 2: A Coach Will Tell Me What to Do
The Truth: Coaching is not about giving orders or prescribing solutions. Instead, it’s a collaborative process where the coach asks powerful questions, helps you explore possibilities, and guides you in creating your own path forward. You are the expert on your life, and a coach helps you tap into that expertise.
Myth 3: Coaching is the Same as Therapy
The Truth: While both coaching and therapy aim to improve your life, their approaches and goals differ. Therapy often focuses on healing past wounds and addressing mental health issues, while coaching is future-oriented and goal-driven. Coaches help you identify where you want to go and create actionable strategies to get there.
Myth 4: Coaching is Just Motivation or Pep Talks
The Truth: Coaching goes far beyond surface-level motivation. It’s about building clarity, creating a structured plan, and addressing obstacles in a way that leads to sustainable change. A coach helps you develop habits, challenge limiting beliefs, and celebrate meaningful progress along the way.
Myth 5: Coaching is Only for Big, Life-Changing Goals
The Truth: Coaching is just as effective for small, incremental improvements as it is for major life overhauls. Whether you want to improve work-life balance, build confidence, or develop better habits, coaching can provide the tools and accountability to achieve your goals—big or small.
### What You Can Expect with PR4LIFE Coaching
At PR4LIFE, we meet you exactly where you are, providing a supportive partnership to help you gain clarity, confidence, and momentum toward your goals.
- Discovery Session: We’ll start with a deep dive into where you are now and where you want to go. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about dreaming big and setting a foundation for success.
- Customized Roadmap: Together, we’ll create a step-by-step plan that feels achievable and exciting.
- Support and Accountability: From regular coaching calls to check-ins, I’m here to help you stay on track and adapt your plan as needed.
- Encouragement and Insight: My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
- Celebrating Wins: Every milestone matters! We’ll celebrate your progress, big and small, as you move closer to your goals.
### Final Thoughts
Resolutions are easy to make but hard to keep. Real change requires more than good intentions—it takes clarity, support, and consistent action. At PR4LIFE, we believe you have the power to transform your life with the right tools and guidance.
This year, we’re here to help you stop chasing resolutions and start building real, lasting change with the **4-Week Fresh Start Bootcamp**, designed to help you move from frustration to focus and finally see results. Explore one-on-one coaching opportunities to see what’s possible when you invest in yourself. Visit PR4LIFE.org or book your Discovery Call to learn more and make 2025 the year of your breakthrough—together.
What's your New Year's resolution.