January 1 is an interesting moment for many of us. It feels like a fresh start—an invitation to begin again. And yet, it also comes with a strange pressure: the idea that we should instantly transform into new, improved versions of ourselves.
This is the spirit behind the New Year’s Resolution. It’s essentially a promise that says, “Starting January 1, I will ______.” (Fill in the blank.)
At my gym, there’s a running joke: in January, the parking lot is packed. By February, the regulars can find their spaces again.
So what happens to all those resolutions that disappear after a few weeks?
Understanding Commitment
In coaching, commitment isn’t a hope, a wish, or a good idea. Commitment is a way of being that leads to actions which lead to results.
We often ask clients, “What are you committed to?”
And the truth is: we are always committed to something.
If I say I’m going to exercise today and I don’t, then in that moment, I wasn’t committed to exercising. I was committed to something else. I may believe that “something else” is sleep, work, or time with family. But really, it’s something internal—perhaps a belief that exercise won’t make a difference, a story that I won’t follow through, or a justification that I can always start tomorrow.
Our actions—every time—reveal what we’re actually committed to.
So the first question is going to be, what are you committed to in 2026?
Commitment to a Result vs. Commitment to an Idea
One of the biggest distinctions in coaching is this:
Are you committed to the result, or committed to the idea of the result?
It’s a big difference.
For example:
Are you committed to getting that new job?
Or are you committed to thinking about getting that new job—imagining what it will feel like, picturing how great it will be, and stopping there?
It can be confronting to ask this honestly. But avoiding the question makes it harder to understand what’s really driving your choices. And beating yourself up (“I’m so lazy!”) doesn’t help either. Self-criticism clouds the very insight you need to move toward the result.
What is the result you are committed to in 2026?
How to Support Your Commitment in the New Year
How do you set yourself up to stay committed to what you actually want this year?
Here are a few ways:
- Begin with the end in mind.
Instead of saying, “Starting tomorrow, I will do X forever,” set a timeframe.
Open-ended resolutions can feel overwhelming.
Example:
Instead of: “On January 1, I’ll start looking for a new job.”
Try: “By June 1, I will have my dream job.”
Then break it into realistic chunks your brain can work with:
- “In January, I will update my résumé and identify four job opportunities.”
- Review weekly.
- At the end of the month, decide what’s next for February.
Small, clear steps build momentum.
- Be honest with yourself about what you truly want.
Ask: Do I want this—or do I think I should want this?
It’s nearly impossible to stay committed to something that isn’t genuinely yours.
For example, you may think you “should” go to the gym four times a week because that’s what our culture promotes. But when you ask yourself the question, what you truly want is just to move your body more so that it feels better.
Real desire supports real commitment.
- Ask yourself why.
What is the purpose behind the result?
We often think it’s the result itself that keeps us committed, but it’s actually the deeper “why.”
Example:
It is likely not the new job that motivates you, but the sense of fulfillment, purpose, and energy that comes from doing work that is meaningful to you.
Purpose is the motor that will keep you going.
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As you step into the new year, consider what you really want, why you want it, and how you can support yourself in creating it.
Happy New Year!
