If you’re willing to stop, honestly assess your business, and recommit with intention, you’re already doing something that most people don’t do, writes coach Melanie Klein.
Now that January 2026 has passed and spring is just around the corner, many of us are thinking less about New Year’s resolutions and more about daily survival.
In fact, a study completed by the Baylor College of Medicine Behavioral Services Team found that 88% of most adults give up on their New Year’s resolutions by the second week of January.
Year after year, the same pattern silently repeats itself. Strong intentions are set and motivation increases, but then execution begins to lag. It’s not because people aren’t interested, it’s because intention alone isn’t enough to maintain momentum.
If 2026 is going to be different, it’s time for a reality check.
The data behind the year-to-date decline
Behavioral research consistently shows how quickly goals and plans are abandoned once the year begins.
Only about 1% of people surveyed by Forbes actually achieve their goals for the year. That means over 90% of people abandon their goals at some point. According to one study, about 43% of people abandon their goals by the end of January, before momentum takes hold. Tracking goal persistence shows that dropout accelerates over the first quarter, with the majority of people no longer achieving their goals within the first few weeks.
These numbers are important because they highlight an important point: early withdrawal is predictable. And the predictable can be dealt with if we are willing to look at it honestly.
The reality check you need right now
1. Having a plan is not the same as executing it
Many professionals start the year with good intentions and imperfect plans. Some people have goals but no timeline. Some people have a strategy without a system. Many people cannot fully put their ideas into action.
Ask yourself:
Is my business plan clear and up-to-date, or is it mostly conceptual? Do I know exactly what actions I’m prioritizing right now, or am I reacting to what shows up each day?
A strong business plan doesn’t mean rigidity. It’s about creating a framework that supports focus, decision-making, and follow-through when motivation fluctuates. This is done out of necessity.
2. Purpose needs to be reconsidered, not assumed.
Goals often fail not because they are poorly designed, but because they are built on outdated assumptions.
Purpose evolves. Things change. Energy changes.
If your goals were set months in advance, it’s worth asking:
Does this plan reflect what is most important to me right now? Am I pursuing these goals out of harmony, obligation, or comparison?
Reconsidering your “why” isn’t a detour, it’s maintenance. When goals and plans diverge, resistance quickly appears.
3. Victory creates momentum, resistance creates awareness.
Progress is not only measured by what goes well. It is also revealed by what is always in your way.
Consider:
What victories have I already experienced this year? Where am I hesitating, avoiding, or feeling friction? What patterns do you notice in the way you spend your time and energy?
Victory strengthens confidence. Barrier provides data. You need both if you want to move forward with purpose rather than frustration.
4. Motivation starts in 2018 – Responsibility keeps you motivated
Motivation is powerful, but temporary. Both research and real-world experience show that without structure, things quickly disappear.
Accountability supports implementation.
Accountability to yourself through regular check-ins and honest evaluations Accountability to others through peer, mentor, or coaching relationships Accountability to your system through schedules, benchmarks, and measurable commitments
When nearly half of people abandon their goals by the end of January, relying solely on motivation is a risky strategy. Accountability is about support and clarity, not pressure.
A grounded reset for next year
Often the most effective action at the beginning of the year is to slow down enough to readjust, rather than pushing harder.
Start here:
Clarify or complete your business plan, even if it’s a simplified version.
Revisit your purpose and make sure it still fits.
Identify wins and obstacles without judgment.
Choose a few commitments that will make a difference.
Get your accountability structure in place now, rather than later.
Consistency is built through design, not just discipline. If you’re willing to stop, honestly evaluate, and recommit with intention, you’re already doing something that most people don’t do.
Execution doesn’t need to be perfect. It requires clarity, coordination, and consistent action. Especially when enthusiasm wanes. The beginning of the year is not about proving anything. It’s about positioning yourself to see it through to the end.
That’s a real reality check.
Melanie C. Klein (Massachusetts) is an empowerment and mindset coach.
