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I almost gave up on New Year’s resolutions until I watched a 6-year-old eat pavement on a bike track.. and get right back up anyway.

As I sat eating my sesame seed salmon bowl with chopsticks in the parking lot of the park, watching kids of all ages ride the bicycle track in front of me, I couldn’t help but smile at the courage the little guys had riding next to the big guys.

The little ones using all their might to semi keep up with the teenagers and adults, catching air and taking corners like their life depended on it had me asking myself: when did I lose the fascination and drive to be better than what I’ve become?

When Did I Stop Training?

Not in a financial way, not in a growing a family way, but in a having fun and enjoying hobbies way. Giving myself the permission to do things just to do them, to learn new things, or schedule time out to just do things that I enjoy with other people who also enjoy the same things.

In my case, I went years wondering what my hobbies actually were once I got sober. Hanging out and drinking had been a part of my life for so long, yet there was the realization that I had never scheduled time to go and do anything other than work or drink socially (which made me a bit sad to say the least.) Finding hobbies after addiction recovery isn’t just about filling time; it’s about rediscovering who you are when the noise stops.

So here we are, New Year’s Eve, and while I’ve contemplated life over and over for the last few years, it really hit home today that I get to change.

Why Do We Give Up When Progress Isn’t Instant?

While the little tykes’ legs are way shorter than the bigger kids’ legs, clearly underdeveloped in muscle and training, the drive they showed—even with a touch of fear keeping them from going full blown—was something worth mentioning.

Full force, as much as they could do in that moment. It had me wondering when the last time I ever did anything full blown to accomplish my mission. I think it was the big grins that occurred when the bigger kids took it easy and the little tykes stayed in the leading position. The proof that even if it was for just a little while, they enjoyed the moment of “winning.”

Here’s what I realized: little tykes who continue working on a task eventually get wiser and better at their position. So what’s the difference in me at 37 taking on a task and putting forth the effort like I was training to get better? (I mean seriously, typed out that sounds ridiculous, but I’ve always cut out the play and the journey and just wanted things instantaneously.)

We’ve all heard the statistics… studies show that up to 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. Why? Because we treat them like finish lines instead of training days.

The Training Day Mindset for 2026

New Year’s Eve, tomorrow will be 2026, and I have decided to go after my goals as if each day were a training day. Not the corrupt narcotics Training Day with Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, but training day as in each day just doing a little bit better.

Here’s my actual system for staying motivated throughout the year:

My “Training Day” Goal System:

• Sticky note locations: Fridge, bathroom mirror, car dashboard, office desk.. anywhere I venture daily
• Monthly goal alarms: Set to jolt me out of autopilot when goals blur into background
• 90-day milestone check-ins: Small goals building to larger ones, each milestone a victory
• Before/after accountability: Taking photos today and setting an alarm for one year from now
• Value stake reminders: Writing WHY each goal matters, not just what it is

I dunno about you, but it’s easy for me to get sidetracked and forget what I was doing, so having these reminders will help me bring my focus back to what’s currently important. Shoot, I think I’ll even set reminders every month in my phone to go off since I know sometimes I get blinded by the typical normal. Those notes eventually will blur into the background, but with the jolt of an alarm, the hope is the new dynamic of reminder will show light on the sticky notes and make the desire burn brighter.

Building New Habits That Actually Stick

It’s not just about reminding, it also has to do with value. Far too many times I’ve had a great idea, yet when things didn’t get rolling it was easy to give it up and create an excuse for why it wasn’t meant to be. Having a stake of value in yourself and your life seems that there’d be more of a pull to see it through.

We are the only person we will end with, so why not take the time to fully support the self in working towards what could make you a new you?

Knowing that there will be ups and downs to come, I know this is easy to say, but the real question is how determined I’m in it to continue through. The intent in those phone alarms bring me back to this moment where I feel the excitement and remember the whole reason why I started training in the first place.

Research shows that 90 days roughly creates a habit. Yet only if you show up consistently and celebrate the small wins along the way, just like those little tykes on the bike track.

What I’m Actually Training For in 2026

The athleticism of the bike track had me “wishing” for my strong childhood body, yet wishing doesn’t change anything. The choice I can make to get closer to the target is working on my mobility and flexibility while starting a few days of strength training for beginners.

Being at an older stage clearly requires more finesse than the quick and nimble kids growing into themselves. There’s more levels required to build a healthy overall fitness, yet it’s not about the far-off end goal of getting my full desire completed. It’s about taking the time to just enjoy the time that is in front of me. Pay attention to those little wins like the little tykes on the bike track.

Your Turn: The Day 1 Challenge

Taking a before and after photo starting here to compare to another one from a year from now possibly wouldn’t show much of a difference.. At least that’s my first limited belief thought. Yet as I came to type it, another little voice popped in saying “why not?”

Seriously, why not take a picture today and make an alarm for a year from now and take another one? (Geez, me and the phone alarms—it’s like I NEED to have someone to help me. Heaven forbid a millennial ask for help, jk.) There may not be a major transition, but what if there was? We have no clue what the next year will bring. With a system in place to remember our goals periodically to keep us on track, to remind us why we were sitting here wanting to do it in the first place, there is tons of opportunity and possibility that we’ll see a different face.

Here’s my challenge to you right now:

Take your “Day 1” photo. Right now, wherever you are. Set that alarm for 365 days from today. Write down three goals on sticky notes and put them where you’ll see them daily. Set one monthly phone reminder with a note that says “Remember why you started.”

What have you got to lose?

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We’re not dead yet.. might as well take advantage while we can. And remember, those kids on the bike track? They didn’t wait until they were “ready.” They didn’t have perfect form or the right gear. They just showed up and trained, one wobbly lap at a time.

That’s how to stay motivated when everyone else has quit by February. Not by being perfect. By treating every single day like it’s training day, and celebrating when you keep pace with the big kids, even if it’s just for a moment.

See you on the track in 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it really take to build a new habit? 

A: While the popular “21 days” myth gets thrown around, research shows it actually takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic; and can range from 18 to 254 days depending on the complexity of the habit. The key isn’t perfection; it’s consistency. Missing one day won’t derail you, but missing the pattern will.

Q: What if I’ve failed at New Year’s resolutions before? 

A: You’re in good company. 80% of resolutions fail by February. But here’s the truth: you didn’t fail, your system failed you. This time, instead of setting a resolution, create a “training day” mindset. Focus on showing up daily rather than achieving a distant goal. Small, consistent actions beat big, sporadic efforts every time.

Q: How do I stay motivated when I don’t see results? 

A: Redefine what “results” mean. Those kids on the bike track weren’t measuring their lap times, they were celebrating staying upright and keeping pace for even a few seconds. Set up visual reminders (sticky notes, phone alarms, before photos) that bring you back to WHY you started. Track effort, not just outcomes. Progress photos, journal entries, and milestone check-ins help you see the changes that aren’t obvious day-to-day.

Q: Is it too late to start working on goals if I’m in my 30s, 40s, or beyond? 

A: Absolutely not. At 37, I’m just starting to figure out who I am outside of old patterns. Being older means you have more self-awareness, life experience, and honestly, less time to waste on things that don’t matter. You don’t need to be the fastest on the track.. you just need to show up and keep pedaling. Your “training” looks different than it did at 20, and that’s exactly as it should be.

Q: What should I do when I feel like giving up? 

A: First, acknowledge that feeling without judgment, it’s normal. Then, ask yourself: “Can I just do today?” Not the whole year, not the whole month. Just today. One training day. That’s all you need to commit to. Use your reminder system to reconnect with your “why,” reach out to someone who supports your goals, or revisit your Day 1 photo. Sometimes the bravest thing is showing up messy instead of perfect.

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What’s your training day going to look like? Drop a comment below with one goal you’re committing to… even the scared, messy, imperfect ones count.

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