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Because New Year's Resolutions don’t work…
Personal Development

Because New Year's Resolutions don’t work…

Michael Heppell
Michael Heppell
January 1, 2026

What if, instead of trying to change big things, you focused on one small thing? And did it for just one day a week?

I’ve thought of seven to get you started.  

No pressure to do them all.

No need to do them perfectly.

Just pick a day. Then pick one.

One day a week, don’t complain, criticise or condemn.

Not out loud. Not internally – eek! Notice how often you nearly do and what changes when you don’t. I first read this idea in a Dale Carnegie book. Simple, but not easy.

One day a week, do something kind for someone else with no expectation of acknowledgement.

A quiet favour. A thoughtful message. Something that doesn’t need recognition.

One day a week, finish something you’ve been putting off.

Not the biggest thing. Just tidy up a lingering loose end.

One day a week, start with a hard question about yourself and by the end of the day, answer it honestly.

What are you avoiding?

What would ‘brave’ look like here?

A bit of self-reflection.

One day a week, make a new human connection. For no reason.

Or reconnect. No agenda. No fixing. Just person to person.

One day a week, protect an hour for quiet thinking.

No phone. No scrolling. Let your own thoughts have some space.

One day a week, do something just because you enjoy it.

No productivity. No improvement. No outcome.

Just enjoyment for its own sake.

That’s it.

Seven days.

Seven gentle focuses.

Not a resolution in sight.

Test it for a week.

Swap out the ones that aren’t really you.

Happy New Year.

Be Brilliant!

Michael

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