This past Friday was Quitters Day—the day by which many of us abandon their well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions. Maybe the goals were too big, too small, too vague, or too rigid. Whatever the reason, they’re now abandoned, left as refuse in our psychic landscape. I wonder what this costs us, this debris, and where it goes. Does it degrade and transform into another form of energy, or is it like plastic in the ocean, building up and entrapping us later?

According to performance development experts, the solution is to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) goals. But after teaching and practicing this approach for years, I’ve found it’s not foolproof. SMART goals might keep us on track a bit longer, but even they can end up abandoned, quietly quit, or replaced. It’s hard to keep them big and compelling enough to stand up to the winds of real and perceived barriers.

For me, three challenges stand out:

• Balancing the dream and the deliverables: How do we keep the connection to the inspiring dream alive while focusing on tangible actions?
• Going it alone: Isolation often creeps in when we hit snags, face barriers, or simply feel down.
• Differentiating between non-negotiables and nice/next-to-dos: Building sustainable habits requires prioritization and experimentation, identifying what truly supports our higher aspirations.

Right now, my non-negotiable deliverable is a 15-minute silent seated meditation every day at 7 a.m. for January. This supports my dream of living a more conscious and mindful life to help create a more conscious and mindful world.

To ensure accountability and avoid going it alone (even if no one else joins), I’m streaming it live on YouTube. This practice is me at my least “edutaining” self—I don’t talk, wear makeup, or even know how to mirror my video in the YouTube studio. But my intention is clear: I believe in the power of regular seated meditation. This commitment is one way I’m solidifying my practice and supporting others who want to do the same.

Interestingly, I’ve gone from feeling freaked out to looking forward to it. That might change to dread or boredom, but even if it does, it’s irrelevant. For January, this is non-negotiable. It’s oddly stress-free because there’s no decision to make. I do have nice/next-to-dos, like adding supportive meditation tips to the channel and doing more promotion, but those are for later. Not now. One step at a time as they say.

Legendary Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu recognized that wisdom in his well-known quote: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Here’s to you taking yours!