Forget resolutions, build a vision
Every January, millions of people write resolutions… and by mid-January, most of those resolutions are already dead.
Why?
Because resolutions rely on motivation. Motivation is temporary. Systems are not.
This year, skip resolutions altogether. Instead, build a framework that actually works:
Step 1 - Pick this year’s theme
One word or phrase can set the tone for everything. For me, the past few years have been defined by “Overcomer,” “Rise Up,” “Elevate” and “Expand.” Each carried a deeper meaning and reflected how I hoped my year would unfold across all aspects of my life.
Other examples include “Discipline,” “Momentum,” “Forward,” “Stronger,” “Rebuild” and “Consistency.”
Your theme becomes your compass for 2026. When life gets noisy, hard or overwhelming, it can help bring you back on track. Live each day with that theme in mind. It works.
Step 2 - Write your big 5
These are the five major goals you want to accomplish this year. Big enough to stretch you and clear enough to guide you.
Examples:
• Lose 20 lbs and build muscle
• Write a book
• Hit 3 workouts/week all year
• Take a family trip to Greece
• Run a half marathon
Write them. Own them. Post them somewhere visible so you see them daily.
Step 3 - Use 3-in-30’s
Break your Big 5 into smaller 30-day wins. Choose three things you will accomplish this month (each month), no matter what to help you get closer to your Big 5 Goals. If you don’t plan for it, you won’t do it.
Examples:
• Hire a personal trainer who plans out my fitness routine
• Schedule 30 minutes 4 days each week to sit down a write your book
• Eat protein at every meal
• Call a travel agent to check prices on a trip
• No alcohol Monday–Thursday
Small wins compound into big transformations.
Step 4 - WLAGs every week
This is where the magic happens. WLAG = Win, Loss or Lesson, Ah-Ha, Goals for next week
Every Sunday write:
• 3,4,5, or 10 Wins you had from the week - could be as little as “I woke up”.
• 1-3 Losses OR lessons you may have had over the week - it may be none.
• 1-3 Ah-ha moments - something that just came to you, something that made you think about.
• 3-5 Goals for next week
WLAGs create momentum, accountability, and clarity. This system absolutely works - period. I’ve been doing this every Sunday for years.
So instead of coming up with a very informal, unrealistic resolution that you’ll most likely forget about after 2-3 weeks, start doing these 4 very easy steps to build a vision and completely change your life.
Chad Cannon is a Health & Fitness Coach, Life Success Coach, and the Owner of the CannonFit Transformation Center in Bluffton. Chad can be reached at www.cannonfit.com
