New Year Resolutions: New Approach to Being 8%

As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, millions worldwide raise their glasses to toast the new year with a spark of hope. They set goals, make promises, and scribble resolutions on paper or silently commit them to memory. Yet, by mid-February, gym memberships gather dust, journals go unopened, and that burning desire to "finally change" feels like a distant echo.

Let's get real: only 8% of people achieve their New Year's resolutions. That's not a guess; it's based on research from the University of Scranton. The rest? They give up, fall short, or worse—convince themselves it wasn't worth the effort. This isn't just about willpower; it's about mindset, approach, and understanding what drivers you need to change.

This year, it's time to shatter the cycle of failure and mediocrity. Screw being part of the 92% who quit on themselves—you're not here to repeat their mistakes. You're here to win, dominate, and rewrite your story with zero apologies. Why? This is a complete overhaul because this isn't another tired take on resolutions. It's time to flip the script, break the rules, and create a life that leaves no room for regret.

New Approach to Being 8%

Why Resolutions Are Bullsh*t

Let's get real—traditional resolutions are a setup for failure. They're vague—"get healthier", "lose weight", or "save money" is a wish, not a strategy. They're borrowed ideas shaped by what the people think about you or the validation you need from them.

Worst of all, they're rigid and overly fixated on the endgame. This outdated approach isn't just flawed—it's sabotaging your potential before you even start. To be frank, you're not even serious about achieving your goals if you take that approach. It's time to stop playing by broken rules and start building resolutions that work.

The Unspoken Truth About Change

Here's the part no one tells you: Resolutions fail because they focus on fixing what's "wrong" with you.

Let that sink in. You start the year believing you're broken or inadequate, and resolutions become a bandage for your perceived flaws. This mindset is a trap. When you approach change from a place of lack, it becomes an uphill battle against yourself.

Flip the script. What if your resolution wasn't about fixing you but about unleashing you? What if the goal was to become more of who you already are at your best? Think of it as building on your strengths, not patching your weaknesses.

The 8% Mentality: Own Your Year, Every Day

Forget chasing the fluffy goals like the other 92%. That's their game—short bursts of effort fuelled by fleeting motivation, followed by the inevitable crash. The 8%? They operate differently. They don't wait for the perfect moment or obsess over outcomes. Their secret? They commit to being in power mode all year long.

The 8% mentality isn't about chasing goals—it's about owning your mindset. It's waking up every day and deciding that you'll show up as the most potent version of yourself no matter what comes your way. It's not a one-time resolution; it's a daily choice. This isn't about what you achieve but who you become. Goals? They'll happen as a byproduct of your relentless drive and focus.

What is the difference between the 8% and the rest? The 8% refuse to have the same year as the last. They're not swayed by circumstances, doubts, or other people's limitations. They know life is unpredictable, and that's precisely why they commit to consistency. Power mode is their default setting—not when it's convenient, but every day.

This year, adopt the 8% mentality. Stop reacting to life and start creating it. Forget waiting for motivation; build momentum instead. Commit to the process, stay in power mode, and watch how your goals fall into place—not because you chased them, but because you became unstoppable.

Your Playbook

Forget the watered-down advice about goal-setting and empty promises to yourself. This isn't about chasing dreams you barely believe in or hope you will achieve. This is about fundamental transformation—no bullshit excuses or fluff. Confront what's holding you back, take action, and finally, take ownership of your outcomes.

Step 1: Destroy What No Longer Serves You

Before you take action, eliminate the noise—excuses, fears, self-doubt—even the doubters. Be brutally honest. Then, reflect and commit by telling yourself, "I am done with this." This isn't symbolic; it's strategic. You're not negotiating with your old self; you're erasing it.

Step 2: Fuel Your Goal with Emotion

Logic doesn't drive change; emotion does. If your goal doesn't stir something deep inside you, it's already dead in the water. Ask yourself:

• Why does this goal matter to me—really?

• What's at stake if I fail?

• Who benefits from my success—and who suffers if I quit?

This isn't about surface-level answers. Lock in on that feeling and let it become your fuel. Let emotion be your engine to make things happen. Use it.

Step 3: Stack Small Wins

Massive leaps rarely work. Progress happens in inches and momentum, not miles, and not stops/starts. Break your goal into actions so small they're almost laughable. Want to write a book? Start with one sentence. Want to improve your health? Do something like getting a three-litre water bottle and drink it every day. Small wins create momentum, a domino effect, and build momentum. Every step forward counts—no matter how small.

Step 4: Make Failure Uncomfortable

Accountability isn't optional; it's essential. Share your goal with someone who will hold you to it—someone who won't let you off the hook. But be very selective about who this person is. This can work against you if they are cynical or negative. Better yet, make failure sting. Commit to donating to a cause you hate if you fall short. Tie your success to something tangible. When quitting costs more than continuing, you'll push through.

Step 5: Adapt or Get Left Behind

Life doesn't care about your plans. It throws curveballs. Expect them. Every week, sit down and reflect: What's working? What's not? Adjust. Pivot. Evolve. Change isn't neat; it's messy and unpredictable. Your ability to adapt is what separates success from failure. Be relentless in your commitment but flexible in your approach.

Step 6: Acknowledge the Wins—All of Them

Stop waiting for the finish line to feel accomplished. Celebrate every step forward. Showed up today when it was hard? Celebrate. Hit a small milestone? Acknowledge it. Progress is the point. Success is built on the foundation of these small victories. Treat them like they matter—because they do.

This isn't just a plan; it's a challenge: a no-excuses, no-compromise invitation to step up. The rules have changed, and so must you. Are you ready to stop surviving and start thriving? Then let's move. One action. One win. One transformation at a time.

The Question That Changes Everything

Here's a question to carry into the new year: What would it look like if you didn't quit and didn't care about what people think?

Imagine sticking with your resolution for 365 days. Visualise the ripple effect on your confidence, relationships, and life. Now ask yourself: Is a moment of temporary discomfort worth a lifetime of fulfilment?

The 92% quit because they never answer this question honestly. The 8% succeed because they ask it every time it gets tough.

Your New Year Challenge

This isn't just a pep talk. It's a challenge. I'm daring you to redefine your relationship with resolutions. Here's what I want you to do:

1. Write down your resolution, and beneath it, answer these three questions:

   • What's my emotional anchor?

   • What micro-habit will I start tomorrow?

   • Who will hold me accountable?

2. Commit to one daily action for 30 days. Forget the year—focus on the next 30 days. Prove to yourself that you can consistently show up.

3. Revisit your progress every Sunday and adjust as needed. Growth isn't linear, and that's okay.

4. At the end of 30 days, write yourself a letter. Celebrate your wins, reflect on your challenges, and set a new micro-goal for 30 days.

Your Commitment to Yourself

This isn't about a fleeting promise made under fireworks on December 31st. It's not about chasing a dream for a week, a month, or a season. This is about creating a promise—a relentless, unshakable vow—to yourself that spans the entire year and beyond. It's about showing up daily, no matter how tired, discouraged, or tempted you might feel to quit. This is your all-year-round declaration to prioritise you and refuse to settle for mediocrity. Because you're worth it—not just on New Year's Day, but every day. This isn't a calendar date; it's a lifelong promise to become who you're meant to be.

Your Robust Commitment to You and not Others

This year, stop giving a damn about the opinions of people shackled by their limitations. Their doubts and judgments reflect their fears and failures—they don't define your worth, vision, or potential. You don't need their validation, understanding, or permission to go after what's yours. Disregard their small thinking, ditch their bullshit, and focus on what you truly deserve. Own this is your life, goals, your f#cking masterpiece unapologetically, relentlessly, and without compromise.

Final Thoughts: New Year Resolutions: New Approach to Being 8%

This isn't about resolutions—it's about revolution. It's about stepping into the version of yourself you've always known you could be. The you who doesn't quit. The you who thrives, no matter what life throws your way.

Remember this: The difference between you and the 92% is one choice. Choose to act, choose to adapt, and choose to keep going.

This year isn't about what happens to you. It's about what you make happen. The question is: Are you ready to become the 8%? Let's go.