Don't Wait Until January 1st. Start Now.

Christmas lights are up. Holiday parties are being planned. The year is winding down.

And if you're like most people, you're already thinking: "January 1st. That's when I'll start fresh. New year, new goals, new me."

But here's the problem with that plan:

You're wasting the next six weeks.

The January 1st Trap

Every year, millions of people wait until January 1st to set their goals. They spend December caught up in the festivities, then suddenly January arrives and they sit down to create resolutions, expecting to hit the ground running.

But they're starting cold. No plan. No clarity. No real connection to what matters.

And by February? Most of those resolutions are abandoned.

What If You Used December Differently?

Here's what most people miss about December:

When you're surrounded by the people you love—family, kids, friends—it becomes crystal clear what truly matters.

Those moments around the Christmas table. Watching your kids open presents. Conversations with old friends. Time with family you don't see enough.

They remind you what you're working for. What you want more of. What's been missing.

Maybe it's realizing: I want to have dinner with my kids every night in 2026, not just on holidays.

Maybe it's: I want to actually use that leave I never take. Spend real time with family.

Maybe it's: I want to finally learn that skill I've been thinking about for years.

Or: I want to feel this present and connected all year, not just in December.

December gives you clarity. Use it.

Instead of waiting until January 1st to figure out what you want, use the next six weeks—while you're surrounded by what matters—to get clear on your goals.

Not to start everything. Not to work through the holidays.

But to think, plan, and prepare so that when January 1st arrives, you're not guessing—you already know what you're working toward.

Here's How to Do It

You don't need to spend hours on this. You just need to be intentional.

Week 1 (Now): Get Clear on What You Want

Pay attention this December. When you're with family, with friends, with the people who matter—notice what feels right.

Ask yourself:

• What do I want more of in 2026?

• What moments this December do I wish happened more often?

• What's been missing from my life that I want back?

• If I could change one thing about how I'm living, what would it be?

  
  

Write it down. These aren't abstract goals—they're grounded in what you're experiencing right now, surrounded by what matters most.

Week 2-3 (Early December): Break It Down

Once you know your goal, break it into smaller pieces.

• What are the key milestones?

• What needs to happen first, second, third?

• What resources or support do I need?

• What's one action I can take in January to start?

  
  

This is where goals become real. You're not just saying "I want to change careers"—you're saying "In January, I'll update my resume. In February, I'll reach out to three people in that field. By March, I'll apply for my first role."

Week 4-5 (Mid-December): Test and Adjust

Take one small step before the year ends. Not the whole plan—just one action.

Maybe it's:

• Having a conversation you've been avoiding

• Researching something you've been curious about

• Blocking time in your January calendar

• Setting a boundary you'll need in the new year

  
  

Why? Because it builds momentum. It proves you can. And it helps you refine your plan before January starts.

Week 6 (Late December): Set Your January Intentions

By the last week of December, you should know:

• Your main goal for 2026

• The first three actions you'll take in January

• When you'll take them (specific dates/times)

  
  

Write it down. Put it somewhere you'll see it. January 1st isn't about figuring it out—it's about starting.

Why This Works

Most New Year's resolutions fail because people:

1. Set vague goals ("get healthier," "be happier")

2. Have no plan for how to achieve them

3. Start from zero on January 1st with no momentum

   
   

But when you use December to prepare, you:

1. Get clarity on what you actually want

2. Build a concrete plan

3. Start January 1st with direction and momentum

   
   

You're not guessing. You're executing.

Don't Let December's Clarity Disappear

I know December is full. Family time, celebrations, traditions.

But here's the gift in that: December shows you what matters.

The meals together. The conversations. The presence. The moments you wish didn't have to end.

If you wait until January 1st to think about your goals, you'll lose that clarity. You'll be back in the work routine, disconnected from what you felt in December.

But if you use these next six weeks—while you're feeling it, while you're surrounded by it—you can capture what matters and build a year around it.

You don't have to skip the celebrations. You don't have to work through the holidays.

You just have to pay attention, reflect, and plan—so that 2026 becomes the year you actually live aligned with what you realized matters most.

The Challenge

Between now and December 31st, do this:

1. Get clear on your 2026 goal (one main thing that matters)

2. Break it into actionable steps (what needs to happen, in what order)

3. Take one small action before the year ends (build momentum)

4. Set your January intentions (know exactly what you'll do on January 1st)

That's it. Four steps. Six weeks.

And on January 1st, while everyone else is scrambling to figure out their resolutions, you'll already be moving forward.

Your Christmas Gift to Yourself

This Christmas, give yourself something better than another pair of socks or a gift card.

Give yourself clarity. Direction. A plan.

While everyone else is waiting for January 1st to figure it out, you'll already know where you're going.

That's the best gift you can give your future self.

Elite with Heart Leadership helps professionals turn intentions into action—creating goals that reflect who they truly are and plans to achieve them. Ready to make 2026 the year you actually move forward? Let's talk.