The motivation from 'fresh starts' like New Year's or a new week is temporary. This makes them ideal for single actions with lasting benefits (like setting up a 401k or scheduling a screening), but insufficient for sustained efforts like daily exercise, which require additional strategies.

The slow start to the year can make ambitious quarterly goals feel unattainable early on, hurting morale. Instead, set smaller, achievable monthly goals for January, February, and March. This approach builds momentum and keeps the team motivated.

Research indicates that habits started in October or November have a 67% higher success rate than those begun on January 1st. Starting early shifts the process from relying on fleeting motivation to gradual integration, making new behaviors automatic by the time the new year arrives.

Because the first two weeks of January are a slow ramp-up period for marketing, setting quarterly goals can create a false sense of falling behind. Instead, establish separate monthly goals for January, February, and March to maintain team momentum and morale.

Celebrating small, tracked achievements builds belief in your capabilities. This belief eventually shapes your identity (e.g., 'I am a person who works out'). Once an action is part of your identity, it becomes effortless and automatic, eliminating the need for constant motivation.

Instead of setting multiple, often-failed New Year's resolutions, focus on installing just one new positive habit per quarter (e.g., meditating 10 minutes a day). This slow, steady approach leads to four foundational habits a year, which compound over time for transformative results.

Weekly or monthly goal reviews allow too much drift. To ensure daily actions align with your vision, review your 12 key yearly goals three times per day. This high-frequency check-in forces your calendar to reflect your priorities and makes it impossible to lose focus.

To prevent months from blurring together, intentionally schedule one thing you wouldn't normally do every other month. This practice, called "Kevin's Rule," systematically creates six memorable experiences per year, enriching your life without requiring a massive commitment.

Combat the tendency for teams to ease into the new year by anchoring them around what must be completed in the first month. This creates a "fast start," builds early conviction in the annual plan, and prevents playing catch-up in February and March.