December 29, 2024 | #20 | read on The Happier Studio | Free Version
Welcome to The Happier Newsletter, a weekly newsletter where I provide actionable ideas to help you build a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life.
What’s On Today
- Why the Climb Is the Most Important Part of Success
- How to Avoid the Pitfalls of the Fresh Start Effect
- 3 Things I’m Grateful For This Week
Why the Climb Is the Most Important Part of Success
With the new year just days away, it’s natural to reflect on where we’ve been and where we want to go. This time of year is full of resolutions, dreams, and goals—our personal “summits” that we aspire to reach in the months and years ahead.
As you look forward, it’s important to realise that it won’t be easy. Achieving those goals will take time, effort, and dedication—this is why so many people quit their New Year’s resolutions within the first three months. And although, we often wish we could skip the hard parts, the challenges, and the uncertainty that lie ahead. The truth is, the climb is what makes the summit worthwhile.
We all dream about reaching the top of our personal mountains—whether it’s success, happiness, financial freedom, or fulfilment. The idea of being airlifted to the summit, skipping the struggle and effort, sounds tempting. But the truth is, without the climb, you wouldn’t be ready for the summit.
You see, your body needs to get used to the high altitude first before you can be at the peak. Without the gradual ascent, you wouldn’t be prepared for the thin air and the challenges of standing at the top. You’d literally pass out.
Life works the same way. The struggles, setbacks, and effort you face along the way aren’t barriers to your success; they’re the very things that prepare you for it. Each step you take, no matter how hard, is conditioning you—building your strength, sharpening your focus, and teaching you the lessons you’ll need to thrive when you finally reach your goal. And most importantly, to stay there.
This is why so many lottery winners lose their fortunes. They’re not prepared for the responsibility, decisions, and discipline that come with sudden wealth. The climb to earn that level of financial success teaches essential skills—like how to manage money, make wise investments, and stay grounded amidst abundance. Without the lessons from the climb, the summit can feel overwhelming, and what was once a dream can quickly turn into a burden.
So, next time you find yourself wishing you could fast-track to success, take a moment to pause. Instead of resenting the challenges, thank the struggle for what it’s doing for you. The climb is building the muscles you’ll need to stand strong at the top. And when you finally reach the top and look back, you’ll see that the climb wasn’t just necessary—it was the best part.
How to Avoid the Pitfalls of the Fresh Start Effect
The new year feels like a fresh start—a chance to set goals and make big changes. Psychologists call this the Fresh Start Effect, and it’s why we feel so motivated on January 1st.
While inspiring, the Fresh Start Effect often leads to an all-or-nothing mindset. A small misstep—like skipping the gym or breaking a diet—can feel like total failure, causing many to abandon their goals entirely.
The truth is, you don’t need a new year, a new month, or even a new week to start fresh. Every moment is an opportunity to begin again. Long-term success comes from resilience and consistency, not perfection.
If you’ve ever struggled to stick to your goals beyond the first few weeks of January, these tips can help you create sustainable change:
- Start Small and Be Realistic: Instead of overhauling your entire life on January 1st, focus on one or two small, achievable goals. Big, sweeping changes often lead to burnout, but small wins build momentum and confidence.
- Embrace Imperfection: You will have setbacks—everyone does. What matters is how you respond. Missing one workout or having an off day doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Acknowledge the slip-up, learn from it, and keep going. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
- Focus on Systems, Not Outcomes: Instead of fixating on the end result (like losing 10 kilograms), build systems that support your goals (like meal prepping each Sunday or committing to a daily 20-minute walk). Systems create habits, and habits lead to lasting results.
- Reframe Your Thinking: If you find yourself thinking, I’ll start fresh next week, stop and reframe. Instead, remind yourself that any day can be a fresh start. You don’t need to wait for Monday or the first of the month—begin again now.
- Track Progress and Celebrate Wins: Keep a simple journal or habit tracker to log your daily progress. Celebrate small victories, no matter how insignificant they might seem. Tracking helps you stay accountable and reinforces positive behavior.
- Create Accountability: Share your goals with a friend, partner, or coach who can help keep you on track. Accountability not only increases your likelihood of success but also provides support when motivation wanes.
3 Things I’m Grateful For This Week
- I'm grateful to have time off during Christmas and New Year.
- I'm grateful to be able to travel and see my family and friends this year.
- I'm grateful for the moments of joy and connection with my son as he experiences his first holiday season.
What are you grateful for this week?
