Why Most New Year Goals Fail by February

Jill’s Reflection

I remember this feeling: that first spark of January energy.

You're jazzed about what's ahead—new programs, refreshed goals, exciting momentum. I felt it one year as we were getting ready to launch a series of new initiatives. The vision was clear, the team was on board, and I was all in.

Then the avalanche hit.

Everything launched at once. My calendar filled up. Team members started feeling stretched. The goals didn’t feel exciting anymore—they felt like weight.

Now I recognize that feeling for what it was: a readiness gap.

We were clear on what we wanted to do. But we hadn’t checked whether our systems, structures, or people were truly ready to carry it.

Sound familiar?

From Motivation to Momentum: What’s Missing?

We’re working with a client right now who’s laser-focused on getting new products to market. The vision is strong. The urgency is real.

But their systems weren’t designed to scale with that urgency. Teams are running hot. Priorities shift weekly. Communication breaks down. Morale’s slipping—not because the work is bad, but because the organization wasn’t ready to hold the weight of the change.

That’s what happens when you leap into action without checking your readiness.

It doesn’t mean your goals are wrong. It means your system might not be built for them yet.

The 3 Types of Readiness That Matter

The Catalyst Readiness Compass helps leaders assess readiness across three domains. Here’s what to look for before you commit to big goals this year:

✅ Operational Readiness

Do your people have the tools, time, and clarity they need to succeed?

• Are expectations clear?
• Is their current workload manageable?
• Do they have the right resources?

When we see missed targets or quiet disengagement, it's often not motivation—it’s operational drag.

✅ Organizational Readiness

Is your culture and leadership aligned around the change?

• Are leaders sending a consistent message?
• Does this goal align with your stated strategy?
• Are there spaces for feedback and input?

Even the best initiatives stall when leaders aren’t aligned—or when the culture signals “This is optional.”

✅ People Readiness

Are your people emotionally and cognitively ready to adapt?

• Do they understand the “why”?
• Do they feel safe to try, fail, or push back?
• Do they believe they can grow into what’s ahead?

Burnout, resistance, or quiet quitting? That’s not a people problem. It’s a readiness signal.

Why This Matters Now

📊 Only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s goals.  Think about your goals at work.  How does this perhaps apply?  How many goals are part way done but not all the way done?
(Source: University of Scranton)

We tell ourselves it’s about willpower. But leaders know better.

Goals don’t fail because people didn’t care enough.
They fail because leaders didn’t pause to check for readiness.

Where to Start

🧭 If you want 2026 to look and feel different, don’t start with more planning.
Start with a readiness check.

Our Readiness Compass is a quick, practical tool to assess the three domains that drive sustainable change. Use it as a solo leader—or with your team—to uncover what’s clear, what’s missing, and what needs attention before you charge ahead.

👉 Download the Readiness Compass 

Because when leaders lead with readiness, teams move with clarity—and culture starts to shift.