It’s that time of year again. The fitness and performance world will soon be inundated with new faces, all looking to jump back into the gym with a full head of steam. Unfortunately, statistics show that 80% of them will stop going by the middle of February.
This is why I don’t believe in “New Year’s Resolutions.” If we look at the numbers alone, only 20% of resolutions actually stick. That’s not a high enough chance for me to consider them an effective tool for change.
Here’s what does work: GOALS! And not just any goals—goals you actually care about that are SMART. By SMART, I mean Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound, usually attached to an Action Plan.
Most people say, “I want to lose weight” or “I want to get strong.” There is nothing SMART about this; it’s just a vague statement, a resolution. While the concept of a resolution isn’t all bad—it gets your mind thinking about what you want to achieve—it lacks any real backing. A SMART Goal with an Action Plan is how you create change.
Sit down today and define a goal that is truly SMART. A great example: “I want to break 80 by September 2026.” In contrast, a resolution would be vague, like: “I want to play better golf this year.”
The next step is to sit down with your Golf, Performance and Mental Coaches to craft an action plan to reach your SMART Goal. An action plan takes everything into consideration: the number of required workouts and golf training sessions, your current baseline to ensure the goal is achievable within the timeframe, and finally, your lifestyle and nutrition to fuel and support optimal recovery.
I know what you’re thinking: this is what the best athletes in the world do. And you’d be right. But if you are serious and really want to achieve your goal, you have to think and act like the best in the world, especially if you have the time to commit. (If you have less time, your goal will take longer, and that is okay!)
The saying “New Year, New Me” isn’t done overnight and on January 1st with the snap of a finger. It is built through SMART Goals, action plans, creating habits, establishing new lifestyles, and sticking to the plan you agreed upon. So, let’s ditch the phrase “New Year’s Resolutions” and start putting pen to paper to commit to your goals and action plans.
