As we dive into a new year, it’s the perfect time to talk about those magic moments that can make or break our resolutions.

We’re all familiar with that burst of motivation that comes with a fresh calendar, but how do we turn that enthusiasm into lasting change? (keyword: lasting!)

Well, cue the drumroll for…decisive moments – those little game changers in our lives that James Clear swears by in his popular book Atomic Habits. (FYI – if you purchase the book using my Amazon affiliate link, I may earn commission at no extra cost to you!)

So this blog gets into how using these decisive moments to your advantage are the best trick to hit your New Year’s Resolutions – or any goal, for that matter!

You’ll better understand what decisive moments are, how to strategically apply them to your own life and goals, plus how you can stay consistent all year long.

I also offer a FREE 12 Week Goal Action Plan so you can break your goal down into manageable steps that are realistic to achieve. So click that button below, enter your info, check your inbox, and start planning!

 

THE BEST TRICK: WHY DECISIVE MOMENTS MATTER

Now before we dive head first into the world of resolutions, let’s get on the same page about what decisive moments actually are and why they’re the unsung heroes of habit formation.

Ever found yourself standing at a crossroads, faced with a choice that seems small but packs a punch? That’s your decisive moment.

It’s those seemingly inconspicuous moments throughout your day that, when added up, can lead you closer to – or farther from – your goal.

Here’s some examples to show you what I mean:

• Hitting the snooze button versus getting out of bed
• Grabbing that apple instead of those chips
• Choosing a quick workout over a Netflix marathon
• Taking the stairs versus taking the elevator

It’s the simple, everyday scenarios that are riddled with opportunities for decisive moments.

James Clear – probably the most well-known habit builder – reminds us that the power lies in these seemingly no-big-deal choices:

“Decisive moments set the options available to your future self. The difference between a good day and a bad day is often a few productive and healthy choices made at decisive moments. Each one is like a fork in the road, and these choices can stack up throughout the day and can ultimately lead to very different outcomes.” – James Clear (Atomic Habits, 160)

So why do these decisive moments matter?

Well, they’re the building blocks of the habits that shape our lives. So making intentional, positive decisions during these moments can create a ripple effect, propelling you towards your resolutions.

Basically, taking advantage of decisive moments is how you take control of your goals and life.

And my FREE 12 Week Action Plan will help you do just that! So be sure to click the button below, enter your info, and check your email so you can start planning how to hit your goal!

 

BEST PRACTICES: NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

But in order to utilize decisive moments, it’s best to first make sure that your New Year’s Resolution or goal is set up in a way that empowers you (instead of overwhelms you).

So let’s take a closer look at 10 strategies that help decisive moments become your secret weapon for hitting your goals:

1. Create SMARTER goals
2. Break down yearly goals
3. Establish a quarterly action plan
4. Utilize the “fresh start” effect
5. Reflect on the past year
6. Build on small wins
7. Involve accountability partners
8. Adjust goals as needed
9. Schedule reflection periods
10. Focus on sustainable changes

Before you dive in, be sure to download my FREE 12 Week Action Plan so you can go through this process with me and set yourself up for success all year long. Just click the button below, enter your info, then check your inbox to get started!

 

CREATE SMARTER GOALS

We’ve all heard of those “SMART” goals before, but have you heard of “SMARTER” goals yet?

Productivity guru Michael Hyatt coined “SMARTER” goals which is what I also coach my clients on. It stands for:

1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Attainable
4. Risky
5. Time bound
6. Exciting
7. Relevant to your vision

As long as your goal fits into these criteria, you’ll be able to hit it. When you download your FREE 12 Week Goal Action Plan (above), break down your goal in the chart provided to ensure you create a SMARTER goal.

The most important criteria to focus on is specificity. When it comes to resolutions, specificity is your best friend.

Getting super clear not only gives you an obvious target, but makes it way more achievable! And don’t forget that realism is key – setting unrealistic goals leads to frustration and setbacks.

Here’s a personal example:

When I set a goal of working out every workday, I felt so overwhelmed that I just couldn’t follow through. But when I made the goal of rowing for only 15 minutes every workday, then I started hitting it no problem just cuz it felt that much more manageable to me.

BREAK DOWN YEARLY GOALS

Yearly goals can feel overwhelming, like you’re climbing Mount Everest.

To make it manageable, break yearly goals down into smaller, quarterly goals, monthly milestones, weekly action steps, daily baby action steps.

Another personal example for you:

When I started my goal of creating an online course, I almost gave up cuz it was such a daunting feat that was brand new to me (aka really scary). So, I broke my big goal down lesson by lesson – and sometimes even half lesson by half lesson – to create monthly, smaller, more realistic milestones and weekly actions to take.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King

So in essence, achieving these small victories is how to build up to the summit. The next part gets into the weekly action steps and baby action steps, so keep on reading!

ESTABLISH A QUARTERLY ACTION PLAN

Keep this in mind: a goal without a plan is just a wish – especially a yearly goal.

So to make your wish come true, develop a quarterly / 12 week roadmap of your journey. Be sure to break your yearly goal down into monthly milestones first!

After you have monthly milestones, brainstorm all of the potential weekly action steps you can take this month only. Focusing just on one month at a time makes the climb feel doable.

Then outline the weekly action steps you need to take in the order you should hit them to create a timeline – aka create an action plan.

Moving forward, you can start your week by breaking those weekly action steps down into baby action steps that you can take daily. Repeat this process at the end of every month and viola! You have a roadmap to hit your resolution.

Just a friendly reminder that you can go through this whole process using my FREE (and reusable!) 12 Week Goal Action Plan. Just click that button below, enter your info, then check your email to download it now!

But why create this quarterly action plan?

Cuz having a plan gives you a sense of direction, making each decisive moment purposeful and intentional.

Instead of overthinking, all you have to do to hit your goal now is to follow your plan.

UTILIZE THE “FRESH START” EFFECT

Ever heard the phrase, “New year, new me”? (Probably too much.)

And that’s cuz the start of a new year is more than just flipping the calendar – it’s a psychological fresh start, too.

So leverage this moment!

“I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you. That every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written.” – Juansen Dizon

Consider it a clean slate and use the motivation that naturally comes with the beginning of the year to kickstart your habits. Later on, we’ll talk about how to keep this momentum going after the newness fades off.

REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR

Before charging into the new year, take some time to reflect on the past year. Ask yourself:

• What worked?
• What did not work?
• What can change?
• How can ___ change?

Then use these insights to refine your approach this year.

Don’t skip this step! You can’t improve what you’re not aware of.

Plus learning from your past helps you make more informed decisions during decisive moments ahead.

BUILD ON SMALL WINS

Let’s get something clear: success isn’t about big achievements; it’s about the accumulation of smaller victories.

Which means that to be successful, you gotta celebrate each milestone along the way.

Whether it’s sticking to your workout routine for a whole week or resisting a tempting dessert, acknowledging wins during decisive moments keeps you motivated.

It’s actually just the way our brain works – we naturally get excited when we follow through, so use that momentum!

For instance, I found out this morning that I got more than a dozen new subscribers yesterday, so I took a few minutes to dance around my office before diving into work. Not only am I eager to connect with people like you more, but I’m also feeling tens times more confident going into the day.

INVOLVE ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS

Sharing your goals with others can honestly be a game changer (especially if you work from home).

Friends, family, a supportive community, or a coach like me can offer encouragement, advice, and incentives to keep going.

Trust me when I say that having someone on the journey with you makes the process more enjoyable and less solitary. Which is why I’m offering you a 15% discount to my Accountable Mindset coaching program!

The Accountable Mindset is a 5 month 1-1 coaching program that unleashes your growth mindset and enables personal accountability for your goals. This program is pretty unique cuz it’s 2 phases:

1. Phase 1: 2 months / 8 weeks of 1-1, hour-long, weekly coaching sessions about your mindset and habits, plus when we create your 12 week action plan
2. Phase 2: 3 months / 12 weeks of 1-1, 30-minute, bi-weekly coaching sessions to ensure you execute your action plan and boost personal accountability

And I’m also your accountability buddy the entire time via text! Yup, you’ll get reminders, incentives, tips, tools, and a bunch more the entire program – how fun is that?!

That’s why I don’t want you to miss out. Since you’re here with me on my blog, I’m bringing this customized and creative coaching program down 15% just for you! Just click the button below, enter your info, then check your email for the discount code and link to book your first FREE call!

 

ADJUST GOALS AS NEEDED

Life is unpredictable. I’m sure you know this, but that’s why you gotta be open to adjusting your goals as needed.

Circumstances change, and your resolutions should adapt accordingly. A rigid approach leads to frustration and feeling like you’re not good enough, while adaptability ensures sustained progress.

On one hand, life happens, and you gotta take that into account and not beat yourself up. But, on the other hand, don’t let life happen too much.

The key is to find a balance between changing circumstances and other people’s priorities. There’s been countless times when clients’ needs mask my own, and those are the times that I’ve had to assess what is truly urgent versus important.

All in all:

If other’s people’s priorities are getting in your way, then figure out how to set some boundaries. If new priorities pop up for you, then don’t be afraid to make some changes.

 SCHEDULE REFLECTION PERIODS

As I always say, you can’t change what you don’t know.

Which is why you gotta do some checking in along your way. So think of these scheduled reflections as checkpoints during your journey.

It’s essential to take time to assess your progress, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for improvement. Beyond keeping you on track, reflecting on how it’s going also boosts your emotional awareness which is so key to fulfilling any goal.

Let me say it again: you can’t change what you don’t know! And sometimes, we have to make some shifts to actually hit that resolution – and that’s okay!

Just remember that making some shifts is completely normal, and doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

“No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” – Buddha

If I hadn’t scheduled in times to reflect about my online course, I would probably have never actually created it cuz I wouldn’t have realized that I just need to break it down even more.

Scheduled reflections offer these moments for epiphanies, which makes any decisive moment that much more intentional.

FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE CHANGES

Want to actually hit your goal? Then know this: resolutions are NOT just for January – or even for the 1 year; they’re for a lifetime.

Which means that you should really aim for changes that you can sustain over the long haul.

Rather than trying to go for drastic measures, choose habits and practices that align with your current lifestyle. And then take this year to slowly build on them to ensure lasting success.

Let me give you a personal example:

A big 2024 goal of mine is to post on TikTok way more – eventually once a day. But I know that my current lifestyle doesn’t have room for recording content on the daily, so I’ll first start by:

• Drafting 3 video ideas weekly
• Recording 3 videos / work week
• Editing and posting 3 videos / work week

Once I can do 3 videos per work week successfully for 2-3 weeks, I’ll make it 4 videos, then 5, then 6, then 7. The key here is that I’m slowly building the habit and not expecting myself to make drastic changes right away – cuz I just know that wouldn’t last.

When armed with these best practices, you’re not just setting resolutions – you’re creating a roadmap for a successful and fulfilling year and beyond.

So let’s explore how to apply these strategies in your day-to-day life so you can truly make decisive moments work for YOU.

HOW TO HIT YOUR GOAL USING DECISIVE MOMENTS

Now that you got your game plan, here’s the 6 steps to take to turn each decisive moment into a stepping stone towards your goal:

1. Identify critical decision points
2. Pre-commit to positive choices
3. Break goals down into weekly actions
4. Create a daily routine
5. Use visual cues and reminders
6. Develop keystone habits

STEP 1: IDENTIFY CRITICAL DECISION POINTS

As I really hone in on in my online course How to Get Unstuck and Move Forward, awareness is truly the first step for anything and everything.

So the first step in taking advantage of those decisive moments is to find out when they occur throughout your day.

Whether it’s choosing to hit snooze or actually get out of bed, opting for a salad instead of fast food, or deciding to spend 30 minutes on a passion project, these are the moments that matter!!

To discover decisive moments, be more present.

“Making a choice that is 1% better or 1% worse seems insignificant in the moment, but over the span of moments that make up a lifetime these moments determine the difference between who you are and who you could be.” – James Clear

Make an effort to actually notice when you’re making choices, when that voice in your head is trying to convince you to take the easy route, and when you have options ahead of you.

Having awareness about these pivotal moments is your new secret weapon, so don’t let it go to waste.

I’ve increased my ability to be more present by practicing meditation, which was actually one of my goals for last year, so maybe it could be one of your 2024 resolutions, too?

STEP 2: PRE-COMMIT TO POSITIVE CHOICES

Once you become more aware of the decisive moments in your day, anticipate them and decide what choice you’ll make before they arrive.

Pre-commit to decisions that align with your goals. Create mental scripts and replacement statements for self-limiting beliefs, and outline if-then plans to guide your responses in advance.

Above all, though, promise yourself that you’re really going to make the effort to follow through on your pre-determined commitment.

The more intentional you are, the more likely it is that you’ll make decisions that push you forward instead of keeping you stuck.

Since one of my 2024 goals is to write 4 blogs a month, I’ve pre-committed to starting every workday with some writing time. Even if other things come up, I’m already booked in my calendar so I’m sure to hit my goal.

Eliminating decisive moments ahead of time is really one of the best ways to take advantage of them.

STEP 3: BREAK GOALS DOWN INTO WEEKLY ACTIONS

A big reason why people often let their New Year’s Resolutions fall to the wayside after January is because it feels too big to actually accomplish.

So let’s avoid that! Remember to get your FREE 12 Week Goal Action Plan to break your resolution down into a realistic roadmap. All you gotta do is click that button below, enter your info, then check your email!

As I talked about earlier, take your resolution and work backwards to break it down into smaller, more manageable milestones. I like to make monthly milestones so I can just focus on one month at a time.

Then take those milestones and work backwards again to break it down even more into manageable action steps. Personally, I make these weekly action steps so I can then break those down into daily tasks or habits (“baby action steps” in the freebie) depending on the goal.

That way I’m sustaining momentum and can feel damn good about staying on track.

And just so you know, we can do this process together in my Accountable Mindset Program, so don’t forget about your 15% discount! Simply click the button below, enter your info, and the booking link for your first FREE call will be sent to your email!

 

STEP 4: CREATE A DAILY ROUTINE

Remember how I said to break those goals down into weekly action steps, then daily tasks or habits?

When you do that, you can then structure your day to incorporate those daily tasks or habits – let’s just say daily actions – into your routine.

So whether it’s dedicating a time to exercise, prepping healthy meals, or scheduling moments for mindfulness, embedding your pre-committed positive choices into your routine makes positive decisive moments second nature.

“Every day of our lives, we’re on the verge of making those slight changes that would make all the difference.” – Mignon McLaughlin

The goal here is very similar to pre-committing to positive choices; it’s to eliminate the need to decide between one easier thing and one harder thing so you don’t go down the wrong fork in the road.

And it’s another reason why I’ve scheduled writing time into my days in order to hit my blog writing goal this year.

STEP 5: USE VISUAL CUES & REMINDERS

Sometimes, a little visual nudge is all you need.

I strongly suggest that you place little reminders in your environment – such as a sticky note on your computer or a water bottle on your desk – to help prompt positive decision-making.

These visual cues serve as gentle reminders of your resolution and commitments to achieve it.

For instance, I have a money tree plant in my living room to help my boyfriend and I shift into an abundant mindset, which is one of our 2024 goals.

Just looking at it reminds me of all of the abundance around me and upcoming, helping me actually make that mindset shift.

STEP 6: DEVELOP KEYSTONE HABITS

You know how decisive moments have a ripple effect on your entire day, week, and therefore life? Well, the decision leads to an action, right? And that action can be turned into a habit, no?

So when you can turn those pre-committed positive decisions into habits, you’re developing what’s called keystone habits.

Basically, keystone habits are those actions during decisive moments that have a ripple effect on other areas of your life.

Which means that by prioritizing those behaviors, you create a domino effect, making it easier to build positive habits in tandem with your resolution.

Here’s an example to show you what I mean:

Last year, a main goal of mine was to meditate daily. Having never meditated before, I took tiny action steps to create that habit.

I started by meditating for just 3 minutes a day for 2 weeks, then 5 minutes, then 7, then 10, and now I’m up to 15 minutes every single day. Whenever I missed a day, I didn’t beat myself up cuz guess what? I’m human!

Instead, I forgave, figured out why I missed a day, and restarted my 2 weeks.

Now that I’m consistently practicing how to be present, I’ve felt such an immense shift in every other life domain. I feel more patient, understanding, less reactive, and calmer. And affecting other parts of your life is exactly what a keystone habit does!

Next up, we’re going to get into the importance of staying both consistent, adaptable, and proud as you work to hit your resolution…ready to make these decisive moments count?

USING DECISIVE MOMENTS ALL YEAR LONG

So you’ve identified your decisive moments, set your goals, and are armed with strategies. Now let’s talk about 3 crucial elements that can make or break your goal achievement journey:

1. Consistency
2. Adaptability
3. Celebrating small wins

CONSISTENCY

Consistency is the main character in the habit formation story.

It’s not about grand gestures, but about showing up for yourself day in and day out. Whether it’s hitting the gym, writing in your journal, or practicing a new skill, the power lies in the cumulative effect of repeated positive choices.

This is what it comes down to: consistency transforms actions into habits, and habits into lifestyles.

And this matters cuz at the end of the day, any new goal is really just a new habit. So if you want to make it a reality, you gotta stay consistent. Which is also why making your goals manageable is so key.

Starting is the hardest part, but once you feel this internal motivation to keep going, don’t stop!

So let me help you get started! Click that button below, enter your info, then check your email to download the FREE 12 Week Action Plan so you can begin outlining your path to hitting your goal!

 

ADAPTABILITY

While consistency is vital, life is anything but predictable.

As I mentioned before, unexpected challenges, shifts in priorities, and unforeseen circumstances are simply a part of the journey. And that’s where adaptability comes into play.

Rather than viewing deviations from your plans as failures or reasons why you’re not good enough, see them as chances to reassess and readjust.

If something prevents you from following your plans, don’t let negative emotions stand in your way from moving forward. Be stronger than that and take your power back by finding a more fitting path.

Use your scheduled reflections / checkpoints to figure out how to hit your goal with these new circumstances.

Point is: change is inevitable; don’t dread it, expect it.

CELEBRATING SMALL WINS

Amidst the hustle of chasing your big goals, don’t forget to be proud of yourself for the smaller wins.

Completing a week of consistent workouts, resisting a tempting snack, or only hitting snooze once instead of 3 times are the type of milestones that you must acknowledge and celebrate.

Celebrate in a way that clicks with you. For me, celebrating looks like dancing around my office, ordering my favorite drink from Starbucks, baking brownies, or throwing my hands in the air while silently screaming, “YES!”

Never forget that no matter how minor it is, all victories are worth celebrating.

“Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of yourself every step of the way.” – Stephanie Averkamp

Being proud of yourself not only boosts morale, but also reinforces the positive behaviors that you’re striving for.

I know that “fresh start” effect can fade, but remember that your journey is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s the daily choices, the commitment to showing up, and the resilience to adapt that define your success.

As you navigate these decisive moments, keep the big picture in mind while still appreciating the significance of each small step.

By the way, here’s your final reminder to download the FREE 12 Week Action Plan! It’ll help you break your roadmap down so you know exactly what you need to do each week to hit your goal. So just click the button below, enter your info, then check your email!

 

CONCLUSION

Decisive moments are the building blocks of habit formation. They’re the small choices that you make every day that, when accumulated, shape the trajectory of your life.

From setting realistic goals and breaking them down into actionable steps to leveraging the “fresh start” effect and involving accountability partners, you now have a toolkit designed to make your resolutions stick.

Applying these strategies involves identifying critical decision points, pre-committing to positive choices, and embedding your goals into your daily routine. Don’t forget that visual cues and keystone habits are allies on your journey!

Consistency is your secret sauce that turns actions into habits. So show up, day after day, and watch the magic happen. However, life is unpredictable, and that’s where adaptability comes in. Be open to reassessing and adjusting your approach as needed, and celebrate the milestones along the way – the small wins are what keep the momentum alive.

Keep in mind that hitting your New Year’s Resolution isn’t about perfection but about progress. The transformative potential in decisive moments lies in their domino effect. Each choice, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger picture.