About this episode
Every January, we feel it: fresh starts, new motivation, and the quiet confidence that this year will be different. We make lists, set goals, and imagine a better version of ourselves waiting just around the corner.
And yet, for many of us, a few weeks or months later, we’re right back where we started—discouraged, frustrated, and wondering why change feels so hard.
If you’ve ever told yourself “This year will be different” and then watched nothing really change, this post is for you.
Where the Belief ‘This Year Will Be’ Different’Comes From
The belief “this year will be different” usually comes from New Year’s euphoria. Everything feels possible. Our goals feel exciting instead of heavy. It’s like standing at an all?you?can?eat buffet of goals—career, health, habits, relationships, spiritual growth—and piling our plates high.
This belief also shows up anytime we start something new:
A new habit or routine
A new time?management system
A new food or exercise plan
A new Bible reading plan
A new season of life or relationship
We assume that because the thing is new, the outcome will be new.
But there’s one thing we forget.
The Part We Carry Into Every New Start
No matter how new the system, plan, or habit is… we bring ourselves into it.
If we approach new goals with the same patterns, the same expectations, and the same mindset we’ve always used, the results won’t change—no matter how fresh the calendar feels.
As the saying (often attributed to Einstein) goes:
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
So the real truth is this:
This year will only be different if we approach things differently.
Why ‘This Year Will Be Different’ Usually Fails
Let’s be honest about some common patterns that quietly sabotage our goals.
1. Too Many Goals
Many of us create long, impressive goal lists—so long they’
