How to Have a Remarkable Start
Today's the day to start making 2025 a remarkable year.
Happy New Year, Remarkable Readers!
It’s the season for fresh starts and big dreams. But let’s be honest: most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned before the confetti hits the floor. The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve pulled wisdom from experts like Katy Milkman and BJ Fogg—both featured on the Remarkable People podcast—to help you make resolutions that stick.
Here are three powerful actions to take:
1. Anchor your habits to existing routines
In his book Tiny Habits, BJ explains that creating new habits works best when you attach them to something you’re already doing. For example, if your resolution is to floss daily, anchor it to brushing your teeth.
Your brain loves patterns. By piggybacking on an existing routine, you lower the activation energy required to start. So start small. BJ says tiny habits build momentum. Want to exercise more? Begin with just one push-up.
2. Embrace flexibility over rigidity
In her book How to Change, Katy highlights the importance of allowing yourself some grace. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on consistency.
Life isn’t perfect, and rigid goals can lead to all-or-nothing thinking. Missing one workout doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means you’re human. So plan for obstacles. Milkman suggests using “if-then” plans: If it rains, then I’ll do a YouTube workout at home.
3. Focus on identity, not outcomes
In Atomic Habits, James Clear emphasizes that true change comes when you shift your identity. Instead of saying, “I want to lose ten pounds,” say, “I am someone who values health.” BJ agrees: celebrating small wins reinforces this identity.
Identity-driven goals have emotional weight. They’re not just things you do; they’re who you are. So use affirmations and celebrate every small win to solidify this identity.
Bonus: Find your fresh start moments
Katy’s research shows that “fresh start” moments—like birthdays, Mondays, or New Year’s—are powerful psychological cues. Use them to reset and refocus. Today is the day!
Wrap-Up
As Katy puts it, “The science of change isn’t about willpower; it’s about strategy.” Take these strategies and start small. Anchor your habits, stay flexible, and embrace the new identity you’re creating. Every small win is a step toward a remarkable year.
Stay remarkable,
Guy
Holoholo
PS: This is the first new app that you can try of 2025. It’s called Holoholo which is the Hawaiian word for “to wander” in the positive sense of cruising, hiking, and checking cool places out.
Holoholo is the best and easiest way I’ve found to create a daily journal showing the chronology and location of my iPhone pictures and stops during the day. Here’s all you need to do:
1) Install the app
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/holoholo-daily-memories/id6498865976
2) Launch it
3) Take pictures with the Apple iPhone photo app like you always do
4) Check Holoholo at the end of the day
The holiday season is one of the best times of the year to create daily pictorial journals! I like it so much I’m going to invest in the company :-)
Mahalo and Aloha!
‘Instead of saying, “I want to lose ten pounds,” say, “I am someone who values health.”’
Absolutely! After I stopped writing “new year’s resolutions” and instead started putting “life lessons” down it was transformative. My year end ritual is to transcribe who and why I am… not someone else that I want to be.
I’ll manage my subscription in March when I qualify for State Pension…”The Top Guy “.