First of all, Happy New Year!
I hope 2026 is healthy, profitable, and full of momentum for you.

By now, you probably know the stats: most people fail when it comes to New Year’s resolutions.

In fact, there’s something called “Quitter’s Day,” which falls on the second Friday after New Year’s. According to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, nearly half of Americans make New Year’s resolutions each year, and only 8% actually succeed.

That stat used to drive me crazy.

It’s also one of the main reasons I do strategic planning and execution work today. I’ve seen it over and over again, good intentions, solid plans, and zero follow-through. As I’ve shared before, I originally got into consulting to help clients who couldn’t get results from software alone.

And that’s the real issue.

Software is just a tool.

Great habits are what actually get results!

How-To: A Simple Framework That Actually Works

Here’s a practical way to approach your New Year’s goals, one that doesn’t rely on willpower or motivation alone. And by the way, we have created a simple ChatGPT prompt to help you get it done. 

Step 1: Set a Clear Goal with a Deadline

Be specific.
Not “I want to get healthier.”
Instead:
“I am going to lose 15 pounds by December 31, 2026.”

Clarity matters.

Step 2: List the Actions You Believe Will Get You There

Write down everything you think will help you reach that goal. Don’t overthink it.

For example:

• Walking (or another consistent activity)

  
  

• Removing soda and candy from your diet
  
  

• Not eating after 7 PM
  
  

• Reducing bread at dinner
  
  

• Drinking more water
  
  

• Cutting back on alcohol
  
  

• Getting up from your desk every hour

  
  

You might end up with multiple strategies. That’s fine.

Step 3: Score and Weight the Actions

This is where most people skip, and where execution actually begins.

For each action:

1. Rate its impact on a scale of 1–5
   
   

2. Assign a probability of consistency (how likely you are to actually do it)
   
   

Multiply those two numbers.

What you end up with is a weighted list of habits that are most likely to help you reach your goal, not in theory, but in real life.

What’s Your Vision?

In several episodes of the $4M Strategies Podcast, we’ve talked about the importance of vision: 

• Cameron Herold: Focus vs Distraction 

• Paul Menig: Strategic Vision  

• Divya Parekh: Balancing Life And Breakthrough Business Goals 

Here’s the key takeaway:

Your goal isn’t the number, it’s what that number enables.

Losing 15 pounds isn’t about the scale. It’s about:

• Feeling confident on vacation
  
  

• Showing up strong for a wedding or milestone event
  
  

• Having more energy, clarity, and self-respect
  
  

Your why is what keeps you going when progress feels slow, and it will.

One Focus (This Is Critical)

This is where most people sabotage themselves.

You only select one habit per quarter.

One.

That’s it.

For example:

• Quarter 1: Walk every day. Track it daily. Keep it visible.

I recommend focusing on 10 weeks per quarter, not all 13. Why? Because life happens, travel, illness, family stuff, and we want progress, not perfection.

Also, get an accountability partner. Not a cheerleader, a real one. Someone who will encourage you and call you out.

Then you repeat the process each quarter.

By the end of the year, you haven’t just lost weight, you’ve built durable habits that last.

Why This Feels “Too Hard” (and Why That’s the Point)

If you’re thinking, “This sounds like too much work,” that’s exactly why most goals never get done.

The goal isn’t easy. The system makes it achievable.

A Fun AI Activity

We’ve created a custom ChatGPT prompt to help you apply this exact framework to your 2026 goals, weight loss or otherwise.

Here’s the link, enjoy:

https://chatgpt.com/g/g-69403bb580808191bfba0ea0ec7ae364-how-to-accomplish-your-weight-goals-for-2026

 The 2026 40 Strategy Growth Workshop™

The The 40 Strategy Growth Workshop™ is opening early-access with a special discount for past attendees and their connections on Monday, December 29. General access opens Tuesday, December 30, with only a handful of seats available.

https://40strategy.com/the-40-strategy-growth-workshop/

If you want to be notified when registration opens, just Save your seat, and we’ll make sure you get the link on the appropriate day.

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2f381e80f8444a50a2c9417065d913b1