ONE QUESTION

Can you be happy knowing that you have what you need, but not what you ‘want’?

ONE THING TO PONDER

It sucks not to be liked. What sucks even more is not being yourself.

ONE PERSPECTIVE

Assuming January 1st will change your habits is an illusion. 

Let's get real: January 1st isn't magical. It's just another square on the calendar. Yet every year, we treat it like a reset button for our lives. Here's the uncomfortable truth: If you're banking on a date to transform your life, you're already setting yourself up for failure.

January 19th is Quitters Day. The most common day people quit their new year’s resolution.

We underestimate the hidden costs of casual commitments.

When we set goals we aren’t committed to they become a source of guilt rather than growth.

When we whisper "yes" while our gut screams "no," we’re not just breaking promises—we’re chipping away at our self-trust.

Each abandoned resolution isn't just a failed goal; it's a crack in our foundation of self-belief.

Ask yourself: Is this promise one your future self will thank you for making, or curse you for breaking?

I have a challenge with ‘productive guilt.’ And I’m still working on it. 

That guilt we feel for ‘taking a break’, for resting. I completely can grasp the logic, I’m working on feeling that logic when I take time to rest. 

It’s that nagging guilt when we’re not being "productive enough." That taskmaster pushing us to do more, be more, achieve more? Here's the plot twist: That guilt isn't our ally—it's our saboteur.

So then we should ask the question, why do habits fail? There are a lot of reasons, yet I’m interested in the foundation:

• It's not about knowledge—you already know what to do

• It's not about willpower—you've got plenty of that

• It's about understanding the real drivers of our behavior

• Then it’s simply about action…nothing changes until we DO something.

Our habits aren't failing because we lack discipline. They're failing because they're built on shaky foundations:

• Fear of not being enough

• Guilt about past failures

• Shame and judgment about where we are

• A desperate grab for external validation

Want real, lasting change? Here's your roadmap:

1. Search for a deeper understanding of yourself: Every habit you have serves a purpose. What void is it filling?

2. Face the Truth: Your current behaviors aren't random—they're solutions to problems you haven't named yet

3. Build new habits from a place of self-compassion, not self-criticism

Before you make another commitment, ask yourself:

• What's really driving this change?

• Am I ready for the inconvenience of commitment?

• Is this promise aligned with who I want to become?

The January 19th Challenge

Quitters Day is coming. But here's the real question: Will you be among those who quit, or among those who understand that real change isn't about dates—it's about decisions? The smallest decisions and promises everyday.

I love that we always have a choice, don’t squander that gift. 

Onward and upward!

LEAD & LEARN : WEEKLY PICK

PODCAST

The Secret to Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Mel Robins

Modern Wisdom

LEADERSHIP IMPACT : Training Testimonials