Screw New Year Resolutions
Did you miss me?
Worry no more—it’s official: Friday Newsletters are back! After 8 weeks in Antarctica, I’m thrilled to reconnect with you and share fresh ideas, stories, and insights to kick off the year.
Hello,
We’re well into the new year, and if you’re like most people, you’ve probably set a few resolutions:
Get fit.
Save money.
Be better.
And then, by February, most of them are forgotten.
Here’s the thing: I stopped making New Year’s resolutions years ago.
Not because I don’t believe in growth or ambition—quite the opposite.
Resolutions felt more like wish lists, full of good intentions but quickly forgotten as life happened.
So, instead of writing a list of “shoulds” every January, I started choosing a single word.
One word to act as my North Star—a common thread to weave through my decisions, actions, and goals.
It’s not just a word; it’s a mindset.
“This year, my word is performance.”
Why “Performance”?
Performance isn’t just about hitting goals or pushing for results (though that’s part of it).
For me, it’s about showing up fully in every area of my life. It’s about asking:
Am I performing at my best in my work?
Am I showing up as the kind of friend, partner, or coach I want to be?
Am I taking care of my physical and mental health in a way that sustains my energy and focus?
Performance is about alignment—making sure my actions reflect my values and goals. It’s about excellence, yes, but also about honesty.
“Am I being true to what I want, or am I just coasting?”
On a personal level, choosing performance reminds me to hold myself accountable.
On a professional level, it aligns with the direction I’m taking my coaching business—helping people maximize their potential in all areas of life.
What Does Performance Mean to You?
Performance isn’t one-size-fits-all.
For some, it might mean crushing career goals or training for a marathon.
For others, it could mean creating space for rest, reconnecting with loved ones, or making small, consistent improvements in their financial habits.
The beauty of a guiding word is that it adapts to your life. It becomes a lens through which you make decisions—a filter for what matters and what doesn’t.
So, let me ask you:
What does performance mean to you?
Where in your life could you show up more fully?
If performance isn’t your word, what word could guide you this year?
Make It Yours
If resolutions work for you, keep at them.
But if they don’t, consider choosing a word instead—something meaningful and powerful to anchor your year.
Write it down.
Stick it on your mirror.
Use it to check in with yourself as the months roll by.
For me, performance is about being intentional with how I live and work. It’s about stepping up, even when it’s hard, and aligning my actions with what truly matters.
What’s your word for the year?
Hit reply and share it with me—I’d love to hear what’s guiding you.
To showing up,
Aitana
