Most People DON’T Start the Year Right
Most people don’t start the year RIGHT.
They start it COMFORTABLE.
They ease in. They “get organized.” They clean their inbox. They tell themselves, “I’ll ramp up after things settle down.” Spoiler alert: THINGS NEVER SETTLE DOWN. Ever. That’s not how life – or sales – works.
Starting the year right isn’t about motivation. Motivation is flaky. It shows up late and leaves early. Starting the year right is about decisions. Commitments. The kind you make before you feel ready.
January doesn’t magically change you. Your habits do.
If you want this year to be different, you don’t need a prettier planner or a bigger vision board. You need a few non-negotiables:
First, decide what winning actually looks like. Not “do better” or “sell more.” Be specific. Revenue targets. Activity goals. Skill improvements. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it – and hope is not a strategy. If you haven’t set your 2026 financial goal, NOW is the time to do it, and to create your plan to achieve it.
Second, schedule revenue-generating activities (RGAs) first. Prospecting. Follow-ups. Relationship building. These are the uncomfortable things that move the needle, which is exactly why people avoid them. Do them anyway. Confidence doesn’t come before action – it shows up after you take it.
Third, clean up last year’s mess. Old deals. Ghosted prospects. Broken follow-ups. That pipeline clutter is mental clutter, and it’s costing you money. A simple “Should we close the file?” can revive opportunities faster than chasing shiny new leads or let you know a dead deal is exactly that…dead.
And finally, commit to getting better – not just busier. Read. Train. Practice conversations. Ask better questions. Selling is a skill, not a personality trait, and skills compound when practiced consistently.
And don’t wait for permission to take this year seriously.
You do.