Stop Falling for the New Year Hype: Focus on Real Progress

Every year, social media floods with posts promising that this will be your year. Vision boards, motivational quotes, and resolutions everywhere. But here’s the truth: New Year’s Day isn’t special. There’s no magic reset button. I want to share my thoughts on goal setting, productivity, and financial discipline—and why hype and clichés often hold you back more than they help.

A Time & a Place

Vision boards, manifestation rituals, motivational video sessions... i do believe value exists here - quite frankly they've all helped me over the years. I do think the key to these is to keep in sight a overall mission.

Where do you want to go? Who do you want to be? Where do you see yourself raising a family? Which kind of business fits best with not only your skill set but you as a person?

All of the above are important to understand and know about yourself. For example, there's no point in attempting to build a consumer facing business if you are not going to enjoy the process of building it, you won't care about the details, the customer service etc etc - which will inevitably be the block from successfully building a high performing vessel. (Let's talk about this another time)

However, knowing where you're going and why is a little different to spending a lot of time dreaming instead of doing. A Time and a Place!

New Year’s Day Isn’t Magical

I’ve never bought into the idea that the calendar flipping changes your life overnight. All over social media right about now is the classic “This is going to be my year,” but in reality, nothing changes automatically. Progress comes from consistent effort, focus, and discipline, not the date on a calendar. Treating January 1 as some kind of magical fresh start often just sets you up for disappointmen - and ultimately prevents the consistency needed to make a real difference.

By all means, finding a fire towards the new year is great! There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be better, in whatever shape or form. What MUST be partnered with this, is a desire to prove yourself - to yourself... "Ok, let's see if by the end of this quarter i've managed to keep this up" is a good example: Make sure you are more focused on action, than hype!

Focus on the Next Step, Not Far-Away Goals

Long-term plans like five- or ten-year roadmaps sound impressive, but in my experience, they rarely survive real life. Like i said, knowing where you want to be, who you are & what matters to you is vital. However, circumstances shift constantly—jobs, markets, opportunities, even your own priorities. Instead, I focus in the majority on the immediate next step. I give it everything I’ve got, execute fully, then reassess and adapt. I believe that’s how real progress happens.

I’ve seen too many people waste energy worrying about distant goals that may no longer be relevant. Concentrating on what’s actionable right now is far more effective than stressing/fantasising about the future.

Hard Work Beats Seasonal Motivation

This one is real simple...

Real success doesn’t wait for a new year. People who achieve meaningful goals—whether in business or personal life—keep moving year-round. Waiting for January to start your “grind” is a trap. Progress comes from adaptability, persistence, and consistent effort, not from bursts of seasonal motivation.

If you are not fed up of waiting, statically for change - you're not ready. New year or no new year.

Financial Discipline is Critical

One thing I notice repeatedly is people trying to look successful while they’re still building their foundation. This is exaggerated in the new year period, fuelled by either a desire to look like you're making a change, or perhaps just convincing yourself you are: expensive meal preps, flashy workout vids, trendy lifestyle expenses (gym clothes or fashion show?) —these things add up and rarely help.

I’ve lived on simple, low-cost meals, worked long hours, and avoided distractions like social outings when necessary. The grind is a beautiful place, you will feel at your most powerful when locking in behind closed doors. Financial prudence is a key part of long-term success. Spend less than you earn, invest in yourself (not an image), and focus on building wealth sustainably instead of chasing appearances.

Rethinking “Millionaire Routines”

Those morning routines you see online—wake up at 5 a.m., meditate, workout, journal, repeat—aren’t realistic for most people. They’re effective only if you already have the resources, support, and time.

I would much rather spend an hour in the morning calculating how to solve a problem, or studying KPI's of my respective field of work than taking 25 minutes to make a special coffee followed by 30 mins of talking into a mirror about how great i am.

For the majority of us, what matters more now is working hard, staying disciplined, and avoiding distractions. The key isn’t the “perfect routine”—it’s consistency and focus on meaningful work.

You are powerful as a being, capable of building resilience and intuition through repetitively showing up.

Bottom Line

Stop waiting for a new year to “start fresh.” Focus on your next step, work hard, stay adaptable, spend wisely, and keep it real. Avoid hype, empty resolutions, and unrealistic routines. Real progress comes from pragmatism, consistency, and effort, not viral motivational clichés.

If you commit to small, focused steps every day, you don’t need a magical date on the calendar to make this your year - you'll dread the day off.

Every day counts—so make it matter.