Inspiration: Out with the New, In with the Old

Edd:  Well, it’s February and things are back to normal at the gym. Most of the newbies who made New Year’s resolutions to get in shape seem to have already cleared out.

Cynthia:  There weren’t even that many new faces this year. I wonder if people have given up on the whole idea of resolutions.

E:  I wouldn’t doubt it. I read that 80% of people’s resolutions crash and burn in the first month, so maybe it’s like, “Why bother?”

C:  Wow, that’s a much higher percentage than I would have guessed and a quicker burn rate. I’m sure you have more to say on the subject.

E:  Indeed I do. To begin with, I believe most resolutions fail because we make them for the wrong reasons in the first place.

C:  What do you mean by “wrong reasons?”

E:  They don’t necessarily fail because people are lazy or lack willpower. The problem is they’re made with a wish instead of a why. A wish sounds like: “I should…,”  “I want to…,” “I need to…,” and they fizzle as soon as everyday life gets in the way.

C:  I think what you’re saying has merit, and the gym reference is right in your wheelhouse since you’ve been going most of your adult life. Showing up at a gym can be intimidating for peeps who have never been. Maybe the enthusiasm is there, but willpower alone isn’t enough. Shortly after that burst of dedication, it’s over and they become part of the 80% you mentioned.

E:  Yep. Willpower is great for starting things. For the long haul — not so much. A why is totally different. It’s a non-negotiable, unbreakable “I will…” Plus, people often try to change from the outside in instead of the inside out.

C:  You really do have a lot to say about this subject. 😉

E:  Stick with me. I’m on a roll here. OK, we’re talking about fitness, so say you want to lose weight. You jump on a new diet or program, and it works for a while, right? Until it doesn’t. Always chasing a quick fix “out there” somewhere is what I mean by trying to change from the outside in.

Real change happens when YOU change first. That starts on the inside and works its way out, not the other way around.

C:  This makes sense to me and drives much of my behavior. The reason — the “why” you’ve been talking about — has to be important enough that not doing what you’ve committed to isn’t an option. Without that big why, it’s easy to let go of the resolution.

E:  Exactly. And it’s not about perfection. If you mess up, you don’t beat yourself up or quit. You just start again. By the way, did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year?

C:  Yeah, I decided to set a theme for each month of 2026 to give more direction and purpose to my activity. January worked out well following this idea, and I’m feeling good about February. I know you’re working on something new. Are you interested in sharing?

E:  I sure am and I’m excited about it, but let’s wait until next time for the “big reveal.” 😉