Beware it’s not about Motivation, but it’s about your Discipline. Read at your own pace
Aah, a New Year again comes up, this time it’s called 2025. I am already reading slogans like,
- “New Year, New Me”
- “New Resolutions for a New Year”
- “Starting a Gym from January 1st”
- “I’ll wake up early in the New Year”
Sound familiar? Many of us have either said these words ourselves or heard them from friends and family. There is nothing wrong with thinking about a good change in life- self-improvement is a wonderful thing. But my question to you is why wait for the new year to change yourself? Can you all believe in any astrology timing or just following the herd? (just like in many other aspects of your life?) I say that,
“You should not wait for a new year to change your life because you can start making changes today,the best timing is always NOW.”
My words challenge the conventional mindsets and encourage people to break free from procrastination and the herd mentality. Let’s see with different points, “Why you should not wait for the New Year to change yourself.“
The Myth of Perfect Timing
“The timing will never be perfect: Perfection is a lie“
What is it about January 1st that makes us feel it’s the only “right” time to start fresh? Is it astrology? Is it the cultural hype? Or is it simply easier to follow the herd?
While the New Year may symbolize a clean slate, waiting for a specific date to take charge of your life often becomes an excuse for procrastination. The truth is, no magical transformation happens overnight between December 31st and January 1st. It’s not the date that changes your life—it’s you. Only you can decide what’s the best time for you to start and it should be NOW. No circumstances or surprises wait for the perfect time.
Time is the most precious and limited thing you have in this life. You can’t wait for it to be perfect just for you to get started on something. No one can own the time. It is something that we all humans have in common. Elon Musk, Narendra Modi, An Astronaut in space, me(who wrote this), and the most important person YOU😊(who is reading this NOW). Time stops for nothing and for no one. You just don’t need to understand this but have to implement it into your life, if you seriously want to change your life.
Let’s see a small example. Once a person waiting for his 40s to retire and enjoy his life, for he worked day and night in his 20s and 30s. Guess what happened? He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)(where your body can’t move anymore) at the age of 35. Was it worth what he did in his life? Delayed gratification is causing suffering that you don’t even get time to regret. Your time, your life once gone- it’s gone. No one knows the future. I love what our favorite Iron Man said,” No amount of money can ever buy a second of time.”
So the point is first to prioritize your time. Do what you love, spend time where you love. Find something where you just can’t invest your time but get leverage from it. As the old proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
The Power of Starting NOW
If you truly want to change your life, don’t wait for the calendar to flip. Start today. Right now. Here’s why:
1. Momentum Builds Motivation: Taking even a small step today creates momentum that will carry you forward. Success breeds success, and action sparks more action.
2. Avoid Procrastination: The longer you delay, the easier it becomes to find excuses. Starting now eliminates the “I’ll do it later” mindset.
3. The Present Is All You Have: Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. The only time you can take control of is the present moment.
Discipline is more important than Motivation
Discipline is more important than motivation because it ensures consistency and action, even when enthusiasm wanes.
For example, consider someone training for a marathon. In the beginning, motivation is high; they feel inspired by the idea of crossing the finish line. But as the weeks progress, there are days when they wake up tired, the weather is bad, or the excitement of the goal fades. This is where discipline comes in. Disciplined runner sticks to their training schedule regardless of how they feel. They lace up their shoes on the rainy days, the lazy days, and the busy days.
“Someone who loves walking walks far from one who loves the destination”
Over time, this discipline builds their endurance and ensures they’re prepared for the marathon, whereas relying solely on motivation might result in skipping runs on uninspired days. The same principle applies in other areas of life, like studying for an exam or building a business; motivation might start the journey, but discipline determines whether you reach the destination.
So the point is, try to seek discipline rather than motivation in the long run.
The Problem with “Herd Resolutions”
Many New Year’s resolutions fail because they’re driven more by external expectations than by internal commitment. When everyone around you is setting resolutions, you may feel compelled to do the same, even if your heart isn’t in it. This herd mentality leads to generic, unrealistic goals that lack personal meaning.
For example, saying, “I’ll start exercising on January 1st” is a nice sentiment, but if you’re not truly motivated, the odds of sticking with it are slim. That’s why gyms are packed in January and half-empty by February. Statistics said Gym memberships increased due to New Year’s resolutions, with some gyms seeing a 50-60% increase in membership. After just one month membership rates stabilize, but there is a slight drop in February. About 80% of New Year’s resolutions to exercise are abandoned by February. As I said here it’s not because of lack of motivation but lack of discipline. and the problem of herd resolutions. But it’s alright at least they are maintaining the economy by spending on things even when don’t require it.😅
Another issue with herd resolutions is that they often lack personalization. Goals inspired by social trends or peer pressure can feel disconnected from your actual needs and desires. For instance, you might set a goal to wake up at 5 AM every day because it’s trendy, even though you’re more productive later in the morning. This misalignment makes it even harder to sustain the change.
So the point is that never follow herd resolutions. Always follow your passion. Your goal-oriented discipline is far better than herd resolutions. Show-off leads you to your show off in this world.
Simple Steps to Start Today
Here are a few ways you can kick-start your journey to self-improvement without waiting for the New Year:
1.Set a Mini Goal: Decide on one small, actionable goal you can achieve today. For example, drink an extra glass of water, take a 10-minute walk, or spend 5 minutes meditating.
2. Reflect on Your Why: Ask yourself why you want to change. Understanding your deeper motivation will keep you committed.
3. Take a Tiny Action: Big goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them into tiny steps makes them manageable. Want to start reading more? Pick up a book and read one page today.
4. Track Your Progress: Use a journal or app to record your actions. Seeing your progress builds confidence and consistency.
A Different Approach to the New Year
Instead of using January 1st as the starting line, think of it as a checkpoint. Start your journey today, and when the New Year arrives, celebrate the progress you’ve already made. Imagine how empowering it would feel to enter the New Year with momentum on your side!
Final Thoughts
Change doesn’t require a specific date or perfect timing. It requires commitment, effort, and the courage to take the first step—no matter how small. So, don’t wait for the New Year, or Monday, or any other arbitrary moment. The best time to start improving your life is right now.
What are you waiting for? My writing is over NOW, go and make your every NOW awesome so that you will never regret even a second of your life. See you in the next article.