In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I talk about New Year’s resolutions and why I use them. I frame a resolution as a “fake because.” People need a reason to start a choice, like leaving work at five, skipping dinner out, or saving money. “Because it’s my resolution” can start action, even if it is not the reason.

I also point out how often we lean on fake reasons in daily life. “My mom said so” or “my dad said so” can stop a decision without getting to the real driver, like fear of consequences. I don’t knock that. I treat it as a spark that gets you moving when you would sit still.

Then I turn outcome goals into action goals. “Lose weight” gives no plan. “Lose 20 pounds in three months” adds a number and a deadline, but it still fails unless it becomes steps. I lay out a system: weigh in on Monday, cut desserts for a week, then check the scale again. If the result does not show up, change the plan with a new step, like cutting bread, then keep adjusting. The point is to build habits you can repeat, not wishes you can’t track.

I bring that back to business and life in general. If your goal is more family time, you can track actions like two hours with your kids and no phone. If your goal is saving money, you can track choices like cooking at home and skipping the purchase you did not plan. The same approach works because it stays inside your control.

Last, I tell you to keep your own counsel. Telling everyone your goal can backfire. It can lead to pressure, judgement, and quitting. I tie this to the brain’s reward system. Progress gives the reward, not the finish line. When you announce the goal, you can get that reward signal with no work, then lose momentum.

So I push a simple path for 2026. Use the resolution as the spark, turn it into actions, and keep it private while you stack wins. Track the steps, let progress fuel you, and share the results when they show up.