Episode Summary:

Did you know that most resolutions die by January 17th? The reason is simple: Resolutions are just wishes attached to a calendar date. We treat January 1st like a magic portal that will change our personality, but by week three, the motivation fades and the old habits return.

In this first episode of 2026, Jim Burgoon breaks down why "hype" fails and gives you a boring, tactical plan that actually works. We are ditching the year-long promises and building a 90-Day System based on clarity, tiny actions, and real accountability.

If you want this year to look different than the last one, stop relying on willpower and start relying on a plan.

Key Takeaways:

1. Fewer Goals, More Clarity: Your brain cannot handle 12 priorities at once. Pick 3–4 specific goals for the next 90 days. "Get fit" is a wish; "Walk 30 minutes Mon/Wed/Fri" is a plan.
2. The Weekly Review: A goal you don't review is just a daydream. Schedule 15 minutes a week to ask: What moved forward? What stalled? What is the one action that matters next week?
3. Tiny Actions Beat Big Hype: Big goals fail because the next step is vague. Break your goals down into tiny, repeatable actions (e.g., "Two minutes of quiet prayer before I touch my phone").
4. Define the Win: You need two types of wins: Outcome Wins (the result) and Process Wins (the behavior). If you only measure the outcome, you will feel behind. If you measure the process, you will realize you are winning every day you show up.
5. Real Accountability has Teeth: Real accountability isn't a cheerleader saying "Good job." It's a friend asking "Did you do it?" and a consequence if you didn't.

Favorite Quotes:

1. "Resolutions are about a mood. A plan is about a method."
2. "If everything matters, nothing moves."
3. "What isn't written is a daydream."
4. "Discipline is rarely a personality trait. It is usually a calendar decision."
5. "The amateur misses a day and quits for the year. The pro misses a day and returns the next morning."

Resources:

1. Join the Newsletter: www.leadwithjim.com/nl
2. Full Episode Show Notes & Transcript: www.leadwithjim.com/podcast

Connect with Jim

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