Why Wait Until January? The Power of One Small Change

Every year, like clockwork, we hit reset.

January 1 arrives and suddenly we believe this is the moment. The fresh start. The perfect time to redesign our lives, commit to a brand-new version of ourselves, and finally follow through on the promises we made last January 1… that didn’t quite stick.

We set resolutions full of hope and determination — to sleep more, eat better, exercise consistently, meditate daily, keep up with charting, stop taking work home, finally say “no” more often. And for the first few days (maybe even a couple of weeks) we’re on fire.

But then reality does what reality does.

The workload doesn’t magically lighten. The patients still need us. The inbox fills faster than we can clear it. The children’s schedules don’t soften. The unexpected crises keep coming.

And before we know it, we’ve hit Quitter’s Day.

That’s the actual name for it — the second Friday in January. Statistically, it’s the point when most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions. Not because they’re lazy. Not because they don’t care. But because real life didn’t pause to give them the time and energy required to overhaul everything at once.

And then the self-judgment creeps in:

“Why can’t I keep a commitment to myself?”

“Why does everyone else seem to be able to do this?”

“What is wrong with me?”

But here’s the truth:Nothing is wrong with you. The problem is the system — the tradition of treating one day on the calendar as the singular gateway to change.

Why Are We Waiting for January 1?

Some people pick their birthday instead of New Year’s — a personal reset button. But the concept is the same: choose a big milestone → set a big goal → hope for a big transformation.

But why?

Why do we believe in this idea that we must wait until the calendar tells us it's the right time to grow? Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to make massive, sweeping changes all at once — while juggling full, demanding lives?

Here’s a radical thought:

💡 What if every month… or every week… or even every day… could be its own fresh start?

What if the most powerful change doesn’t require permission from January 1?

The Case for One Simple Change

There are two big reasons I encourage my clients — healthcare professionals who are exhausted, overwhelmed, and yearning for balance — to begin with just one small shift.

1️⃣ Small changes can make big impact

Sometimes we underestimate what a single new boundary, habit, or mindset shift can do.

In my own life, a deceptively tiny change has been transformational:

✨ Turning on “Do Not Disturb” on my phone at 9:15 PM.

That’s it.One button.One decision.

What it has created:

• I wind down without constant pings

• I stop checking emails or messages that can definitely wait

• I fall asleep faster

• I stay asleep without notification interruptions

• I wake up calmer, not already plugged into the chaos

It’s not a five-step bedtime routine or a complete lifestyle overhaul. But that one boundary has been a domino that supports bigger ones:

➡️ Better sleep leads to better energy ➡️ Better energy leads to clearer focus ➡️ Clearer focus leads to more intention in how I spend my time

One choice. Huge ripple effect.

2️⃣ Success builds confidence — and confidence sustains change

Every successful shift — no matter how small — reinforces the belief:

I can change.

And that belief is fuel.

When you see yourself follow through once, you know you can follow through again. The change doesn’t feel so impossible anymore. You become the person who honors commitments to yourself.

And something really special happens:

Each little win makes the next win more achievable.

💭 One of my favorite truths from coach training:“Small hinges swing big doors.”

We don’t need to take on the big door all at once. We just need the hinge to move.

What If You Started Today?

If you’re reading this in December…or March…or a random Wednesday in July…

Today can be your “New Year.”

Maybe it doesn't need to be the typical resolution

You don’t have to wait to feel better.You don’t have to wait to set boundaries.You don’t have to wait to claim the joy and fulfillment that you deserve.

So here’s your invitation:

❤️ Choose one small thing that supports your wellbeing.❤️ Make it doable.❤️ Make it meaningful.❤️ Make it just for you.

Maybe it’s:

• Putting your work bag in another room after hours

• Eating lunch without multitasking

• Giving yourself five minutes between patients to breathe

• Leaving one chart for the next morning instead of staying late

• Setting a cutoff time for screens

• Saying “no” once this week

Not a perfect change.Not a 10-step routine.Just one thing that reminds you:You are allowed to take care of yourself, too.

You Don’t Need a Milestone to Start. You Just Need a Moment.

Imagine what could shift if you didn’t wait for a special date to give yourself permission to improve your life.

Imagine how different next year could feel if you began making one small change now… and another soon after.

You don’t have to be fully ready.You don’t have to overhaul everything.You just have to take one step today.

Because when you show yourself that you can change in small ways, you unlock the power to change in big ones.

And you deserve a life that feels balanced, purposeful, and truly yours — not just in January, but every day.

If you'd like help choosing that one aligned change — one that fits your life, your energy, and your real-world pressures — I’d love to support you.

📌 Start with my free 15-minute Alignment Check - It’s a strategic self-assessment that uses the Four Pillars of Purpose to reveal the exact activities that are violating your core values across your work and home life.

Ready to start? Your reset moment is already here. ✨