Dear Reader,

As we approach the New Year, many of us are already thinking about resolutions. We dream big and set ambitious goals. And then, somewhere around February, reality hits.

Sound familiar?

This week, a client of mine was talking about a goal of hers that’s been important to her for a while. But she hasn’t gotten around to making any headway on it.

She’s a very busy professional, and when she gets home from her long days at the office, she’s simply too damn tired to do anything that’s going to move the needle on this aspiration.

And hey, I get it. I’ve absolutely been there myself.

But as her coach, it’s my job to help her move forward.

So as we explored this goal of hers, she discovered why it’s important to her (expands her knowledge, skills, and network), how it will make her feel when she accomplishes it (happy and fulfilled), and what it can do for others (make their lives better).

All of a sudden, my client said:

“Now is the time. This is the thing.”

And she realized that to achieve this goal, instead of focusing on how big her goal is, she broke it down into micro-steps: small, intentional actions that are easy to sustain and can turn into big results.

The beauty of micro-steps is that they don’t require drastic changes. They are simple, manageable actions that build over time, creating lasting success.

Here are two micro-steps you can start today:

1️⃣ Anchor a new habit to an existing routine.

Want to start journaling daily? Pair it with your morning coffee. Just two minutes to jot down one thought or intention for the day. Small but powerful.

Want to get your body moving and flowing in the morning? Add two minutes of stretching right after brushing your teeth.

Want to practice mindful breathing? Take 3 deep breaths before you start a task, a meeting, even a meal, to reset and refocus.

2️⃣ Shrink the goal.

Instead of aiming to work out five days a week, start with just 10 minutes of movement. It’s less overwhelming, and consistency beats intensity every time. And if you have a goal of reducing your social media scrolling, bonus points for replacing 10 minutes of screen time with this!

Instead of telling yourself you’re going to read 20 books this year, aim for 10 pages 3 days a week. You’d be surprised how quickly this adds up. You might even end up going beyond that 10 page limit every now and then!

Instead of telling yourself you’re going to organize the entire house by January 31, tackle one drawer, one shelf, or one small space a few times a week. It’s easier to make progress when you focus on bite-sized tasks. You can even reward yourself with some guilty pleasure TV when done.

Lasting Results

These little shifts don’t just simplify success, they make it sustainable. Over time, they compound into something bigger and more impactful.

I want to applaud my client for leaning into the beauty of micro-steps, and want to encourage you to think about how you can apply this concept to your own goals.

Looking Ahead:

In January, I’ll be hosting a free virtual workshop, Manage Your Time with Ease: Strategies to Boost Balance and Productivity. We’ll dive deeper into micro-steps and how to keep momentum going throughout the year. Stay tuned for more details. I can’t wait to share these strategies with you!

Your Turn:
​What’s one small step you’re taking to set yourself up for success in 2025? Let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

Wishing you and yours the happiest New Year, and here’s to health, joy, and laughter in 2025!

Cheers, Tracy

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I offer 1:1 coaching, group coaching, team facilitation, and public speaking, and tailor offerings to the specific needs of you/your workplace. ​Contact me to learn more​.

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