New Year’s Resolutions – good or not so good?
And why you shouldn’t rush into them on January 1st
New Year’s Resolutions have a bit of an image problem.
For some people, they’re synonymous with unrealistic promises, abandoned gym memberships, and a quiet sense of guilt by mid-January. Others dismiss them altogether as pointless or performative — something we feel pressured to do, rather than something that genuinely helps.
But when approached thoughtfully, setting intentions for the year ahead — especially for your business — can be incredibly valuable.
The issue isn’t with the idea of business resolutions themselves. It’s the timing, the expectations, and the tendency to try to do everything — often alone.
A new year doesn’t have to mean a new you
The start of a new year often comes with a strange contradiction. We’re expected to return to work feeling refreshed, motivated, and ready to go — yet in reality, many of us are easing back in after time off, disrupted routines, and most likely a demanding end to the previous year.
Getting back into the groove takes time. Productivity doesn’t magically reset on January 1st. In fact, most people don’t return to work until at least the 3rd due to Bank Holidays and family commitments. So expecting to start “anew” on the 1st can create unnecessary pressure and frustration, setting the tone for the rest of the month rather than helping you move forward.
This is especially true for small business owners, freelancers, and solopreneurs, where momentum depends almost entirely on personal energy and focus.
Business goals should provide clarity and direction — but only if they reflect where you actually are, not where you think you should be. Taking time to consider both what you want to achieve and what you realistically can achieve leads to far more sustainable outcomes.
Why waiting a few weeks makes sense
There’s an assumption that if you don’t set your goals immediately, you’ve missed the moment. In reality, the first few weeks of January are often better spent observing rather than deciding.
Those early days back at work are about recalibration. Emails pile up, priorities resurface, and you start to notice what feels heavy, what feels energising, and what no longer fits.
By giving yourself some breathing space to reflect, absorb and really think about what you need going forward, your business goals are grounded in reality rather than post-holiday optimism.
Setting resolutions halfway through the first month of the new year, or even at the end of it, gives you context. You’re not guessing what the year needs — you’re responding to it.
The Tortoise and the Hare approach
Many business resolutions fail because they’re built on pressure rather than intention. We aim too high, too fast, and expect ourselves to push through without proper support.
This “work harder” mindset might feel admirable, but it often leads to burnout rather than progress. Trying to push a boulder uphill on your own isn’t a sign of commitment — it’s a fast track to exhaustion.
Sustainable goals aren’t about doing more. They’re about focusing on what matters, in a way you can actually maintain.
What makes a business resolution worth keeping
- Aim for achievable, not impressive
Goals don’t need to be dramatic to be meaningful. Small, specific changes often have the biggest long-term impact. A business resolution that fits within your existing workload and capacity is far more likely to stick than one that requires a complete overhaul.
Progress builds confidence — and confidence builds momentum — and momentum builds success.
- Accept that progress takes time
Returning to work is a transition, not a switch. Allowing time to find your rhythm again reduces guilt and helps you work at a pace that feels sustainable, rather than constantly feeling behind. Accepting that it will feel more challenging at first, but will get better over time, helps you maintain a more positive outlook and stay on track to achieve your goals.
- Prioritise asking for help
One of the most powerful (and overlooked) business resolutions is deciding not to do everything yourself.
Whether it’s asking for advice, delegating tasks, outsourcing support, or simply talking things through with someone else, collaboration removes unnecessary friction. Support doesn’t weaken independence — it strengthens it.
If something feels consistently difficult, it’s often a signal to involve others, not to continue to push harder.
- Focus on what actually moves the needle
It’s easy to fill business goals with “shoulds” — tasks that sound productive but don’t truly serve your growth. Effective resolutions focus on what creates genuine value for your business, your wellbeing, and your long-term direction. Crucially, you don’t need many, just one or two solid, well-thought-out goals will help you achieve more in the long run.
If a goal doesn’t make your working life feel lighter or clearer, it’s worth questioning.
And if having someone else handle that goal on your behalf helps you move forward more effectively, then that’s a practical — not indulgent — decision.
A more sustainable approach
Think of business resolutions as flexible guideposts rather than fixed rules. They can evolve as your circumstances change. They can be adjusted, paused, or replaced entirely.
Most importantly, they should support your working life — not compete with it.
Building in support, allowing time to adjust, and setting realistic expectations all make it far more likely that your intentions will last well beyond January.
A final thought
New Year’s resolutions for your business aren’t about reinvention — they’re about alignment.
Waiting until you’re back in the rhythm of work allows you to set goals that reflect your reality, not your pressure. And choosing support over struggle isn’t a shortcut — it’s a smarter, more sustainable way forward.
You don’t have to push the boulder alone. Sometimes the most effective resolution is to involve others — after all, many hands make light work, and if that doesn’t work for you, you may simply need to go around it.
That’s where we come in – your go-to outsource provider. If you’re looking to break that glass ceiling of not enough time, overwhelm or just looking for a different route for growing your business, we could be your solution. Get in touch and see. What have you got to lose – absolutely nothing (don’t tell me you didn’t break into song – just me then!).
