.

Three days. That’s how long New Year’s Resolution #2 lasted (no sugar). My downfall? A Malteser Celebration—because, let’s face it, they’re practically air.

Resolution #3 (no alcohol) is already teetering as I head to Madrid for work, where sangria is basically a cultural requirement alongside gambas pil pil and pimientos de padrón.

The other resolutions—like listening more to my husband before diving in to "help"—are mercifully harder to quantify, so I can at least pretend I’m succeeding.

Many of us approach our January work goals like our New Year’s resolutions, with bold declarations often followed by a reality check. But what happens when our intentions don’t quite align with reality?

Let’s explore how to stay motivated, focused, and productive—even when January feels like it’s spiralling out of control.

Bigly promises lead to biglyer pressure

New Year’s resolutions are like inauguration speeches: big promises with questionable follow-through. “This is the year I’ll remember the intern’s name” or “I’ll ditch workplace jargon in meetings.”

Yet by mid-January, you’re calling someone “Champ” because you can’t remember if they’re John or Dave, and phrases like “Let’s circle back and touch base on the low-hanging fruit” are flying out of your mouth because Ian from Finance can’t communicate without it.

January always begins with promises, proclamations, and grand plans—only to fizzle out by week two when we realise it’s the calendar’s version of the doldrums: 31 endless days of nothingness. To make matters worse, we’ve compounded the misery by swearing off grog, cake, or takeaways.

And let’s face it, 2025 isn’t exactly off to a cheerful start. Donald Trump is gearing up for his second inauguration, no doubt bragging about bigly crowds—the biggest, the best, the most tremendous crowds ever. Just when we need a sprinkle of sugar-coating, we’ve decided to give it all up. Classic.

The reality? Grand plans tend to faceplant into the chaos of everyday life. And let’s be honest, the moment we trip up, we’re quick to throw in the towel (and possibly a Malteser or two). But what if we ditched the drama and tackled our goals with a bit more humour, practicality, and reality?

Setting goals without the drama

Ambition without direction is like Waze without an internet connection—confused, aimless, and likely to take you down a dead-end. Instead of declaring big sweeping statements, start small:

Focus on incremental wins

Refining just one aspect of your lead conversion strategy—such as improving the timing or personalisation of your follow-ups.

Build new habits by linking them to everyday actions

For example, if your goal is to convert more leads, pair follow-ups with a habit you already do. If you always start your day with a coffee, use that time to review your list of leads that haven’t responded. As you sip, draft a personalised follow-up for each one—keeping it short, relevant, and timely.

‘Habit Stacking’ techniques make it easier to build consistency. By linking your follow-up process to a habit you already do daily, you create a powerful trigger that helps you stay on track and maintain momentum. Over time, this small change can lead to bigger results, as the habit becomes second nature and ensures no lead falls through the cracks.

Stay Flexible (Life Won’t Stick to Your Script)

The last few years have taught us that plans can change faster than the weather forecast. So, make your goals adaptable.

Create regular self-check-ins

Pair this with a daily habit, like reviewing your to-do list or checking emails, and ask yourself, “Am I following up effectively? Are my leads progressing?”

Quantify success

If your goal is to convert more leads, track metrics like the response rate to your follow-ups or the number of new contacts progressing to the next stage.

Be open to tweaking your approach

Experiment with what works—whether it’s adjusting the timing of follow-ups, refining your messaging, or trying new tools. Flexibility isn’t failure; it’s a step toward finding what works.

Connect your goals to the bigger picture

Goals that align with your values or contribute to the organisation's vision are more likely to stick. Share your goals with others—it adds accountability and reminds you that your efforts have a ripple effect. Whether collaborating or simply creating a happier work environment, knowing why your goals matter makes them easier to pursue.

Motivation tips for when January feels bleak

Celebrate small wins: Every step forward counts. Finished a tricky email? Applaud yourself (preferably with a Malteser).
Focus on what you can control: You can’t rewrite global events, but you can tackle your to-do list and prioritise what matters.
Find the humour: Laughing at life’s quirks builds resilience. Share those absurd January moments with your team—it’s a morale booster and a reminder not to take everything too seriously.
Progress over perfection: A bad day doesn’t derail the whole month. Check your thinking. Are you catastrophising? Was it just a difficult customer? Reset, refocus, and carry on.
The Blue Monday Myth

Blue Monday—the so-called most depressing day of the year (and, coincidentally, Trump’s second inauguration). Spoiler alert: it’s not science; it’s marketing. The truth? The only good Blue Monday is the New Order classic—so crank it up, throw some shapes, and shake off the gloom.

Here’s the thing: the narrative we tell ourselves matters. If you start January saying, “It’s always tough; it’s just January,” your brain starts looking for proof to back it up. Welcome to your own personal echo chamber of misery, where every grey sky or slow email reply feels like the universe is plotting against you.

But here’s a more helpful perspective: life isn’t “tough because January.” Life is just life—messy, unpredictable, and often hilarious if you look for the absurdity in it. By reframing the story, you take control.

Instead of saying, “Of course, I feel low; it’s Blue Monday,” you could say, “It’s just another Monday, and I’m choosing to make it better with snacks, a laugh, and a playlist that slaps.”

Final Thoughts: Thrive, don’t just survive

January doesn’t need grand sacrifices or perfect execution. It needs persistence, progress, and a sense of humour - whether you’re tackling work goals or just trying to make it through the dark mornings.

So, put the Malteser down (or don’t—it’s your call) and take the next step. Who knows? This might just be the year you actually enjoy January.

If you’d like some support for your team, get in touch with Doug and he’ll share how we can help - doug@laughology.co.uk

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