As a health coach, I'm always looking for new ways to help my clients achieve their goals.

Recently, a conversation with my partner gave me a fresh perspective on how to approach goal-setting that I think could really benefit you.

When I noticed the gym was quieter than usual, my initial reaction was disappointment; it seemed like people had already given up on their New Year's resolutions.

But my partner saw it differently.

She said it was actually a shame that they might not have come in, rather than a failure. That they probably wanted to be there, but something got in the way.

And honestly? That really stuck with me.

Here's the thing, as a health coach, of course, I want people to stick to their goals.

But if I'm being completely honest with you, even I don't always stick to mine.

I'm human. Life happens. Plans change. And sometimes, despite your best intentions, things just don't go the way you mapped them out.

That's exactly why I don't really set traditional New Year's resolutions anymore.

But before I share my approach, let me be clear: not setting resolutions doesn't mean I don't have aims or ambitions.

It just means I focus less on big, distant goals and more on daily habits and routines that move me in the right direction.

And here's where I see most people go wrong.

The goals are often too big, too rigid, and too far away.

Think about it. You set this massive target for yourself: lose 30 pounds, go to the gym five times a week, and completely overhaul your diet.

It sounds great in January.

But when life inevitably gets in the way (and it will), disappointment kicks in.

You miss a session. You have a bad week. And that's when people stop altogether.

The perfectionism trap is real, and it's brutal.

But what if you were a little kinder to yourself instead? Miss a session? Start again tomorrow.

Have a bad week? Reset next week. No one is perfect. We all mess up.

And that's exactly how we learn. If we never made mistakes, how would we ever improve? Progress isn't about being flawless; it's about showing up consistently, even when you're not.

The habits matter more than the headline goal. The small, daily decisions matter more than the big promises you make to yourself on January 1st.

If you want help focusing on habits, consistency, and realistic progress, without the pressure or guilt, I'd love to chat.

Book a call below to learn more about my 1-to-1 coaching. I'll help you build something that actually lasts.

Book a call