Every year around this time, people start polishing their “New Year, New Me” speeches. Fresh notebooks. Color-coded planners. Big goals that somehow all begin on January 1… and never a day before. And look, I get it. January feels official. Like there’s a starting gun. But a few months back, while the internet (and a whole lot of influencers) were yelling, “Start your 2025 goals NOW so you’re ahead by January!”
Me being me…well, I went the other direction.
I paused.
I breathed.
I thought.
And I realized something: December, quiet, chaotic, cookie-filled December, might actually be the best month to start something big, or big-ish and here’s why:
1️⃣ December forces you to slow down just enough
Even with the holiday rush, there’s something about this month that makes you take stock.
You reflect without trying.
You notice what mattered this year, and what didn’t.
It’s the perfect launchpad for something real.
2️⃣ There’s zero pressure to be perfect
Nobody expects you to start anything ambitious in December.
Which makes it a fantastic time to begin.
No resolution hype.
No comparison.
No “best year ever” posts.
Just you, making one small move that your January self will high-five you for.
3️⃣ Tiny steps now beat big declarations later
January encourages massive, unsustainable overhauls.
December encourages tiny, doable starts.
And tiny + doable = consistent.
And consistent > everything.
4️⃣ Discipline > waiting for inspiration
This is true in running, in business, and honestly… in life.
You don’t need to feel ready.
You don’t need to “find your spark.”
You need practice.
A schedule.
A rhythm you can come back to, even on the days the motivation fairy forgets to visit.
5️⃣ A small shift today changes everything next year
If a plane or ship is just 1º off course, it ends up hundreds of miles from the intended destination.
The reverse is also true: A tiny correction, right now, can put you on a course you’re proud of.
Financially.
Fitness-wise.
Career-wise.
Family-wise.
Health-wise.
One small action. One small practice. One 1% improvement. Do it daily, or almost daily; December isn’t the month to get precious, and it adds up. And here’s the best part… You don’t even have to start today. Start next week. Start on December 14th. Start on the 28th if that’s what life gives you. Just start before the noise of January rolls in, and everyone ELSE is trying to overhaul their whole life in 36 hours. December gives you a head start.
A quiet one.
A meaningful one.
And sometimes, that’s exactly how big things begin.