I built a six-figure remote business and walked away from the 9 to 5 at age 46. Every Tuesday, I email a story, tip, or idea to help you climb down the corporate ladder and live life on your terms.
How to Start Strong in 2026… Even If January Isn’t Your Best Month
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Hi Reader, The New Year always feels like a clean slate, doesn’t it? A fresh 365 days to conquer. A brand-new 12 months to change your life. It makes sense that people want to set big goals and bold resolutions right now. But I’ll be honest with you… January is not my peak performance month. If you’re anything like me, coming into the New Year doesn’t feel like rocket-fuel energy. It feels… slow. Sluggish. A little foggy. You’ve just come through the holidays, a time where routines fall apart, schedules relax, we eat a little more, sleep a little differently, and move a little less. Everything slows down. And then somehow, on January 1st, we expect ourselves to snap our fingers, flip some superhuman switch, and launch into a massive life change. That’s a big ask. In fact, if I’m being completely transparent, my peak “fresh start” energy hits in September, not January. Maybe it’s because I’m still wired to follow the school-year rhythm, even though school feels like a lifetime ago. September feels energized, forward-focused, and full of momentum. January? January feels more like… easing back into life. So if you’re feeling the same way — you want to set bold resolutions, but your energy just isn’t cooperating — there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s not a character flaw. It’s not a lack of ambition. It means motivation won’t carry you through, which brings us to the real truth: You need to focus on systems, not motivation. Author James Clear says it best: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” That’s why so many resolutions die somewhere in mid-January. The shiny new dumbbells start gathering dust. The big, ambitious vision starts to feel heavy. It’s not because you don’t care or you're lazy. It’s because motivation is unreliable. Thankfully, systems aren’t. Systems still work on the days you’re not excited, and when your energy is low. In other words, they eliminate the need to talk yourself into things. And they help you ease into the year instead of trying to sprint out of the gate. Imagine not having to hype yourself up. Imagine your most important work already laid out for you, so all you have to do is show up. So instead of loading yourself up with massive expectations, here are a few simple systems you can use to gently rebuild momentum without burning yourself out:
These are just a few ideas, but you get the picture. Just remember this: January doesn’t have to be the month you conquer everything. It can simply be the month you ease back in and rebuild rhythm. By putting systems in place, you will build momentum, And when that happens? There will be nothing stopping you in 2026. Best, Colin 💡ResourcesFREE! 2-Minute Side Hustle Quiz FREE! 7-Day 9-5 Escape Roadmap Video Course 30-Day Launch Playbook — Freelancer Edition |
9-5 Escape by Colin Graves
I built a six-figure remote business and walked away from the 9 to 5 at age 46. Every Tuesday, I email a story, tip, or idea to help you climb down the corporate ladder and live life on your terms.
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