Embrace Growth Over Resolutions: Making Lasting Changes on Your Running Journey and Beyond
- Better By Next Week
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Every new year, millions set resolutions with hope and excitement. Yet, by February or March, many find those resolutions fading away. Why does this happen? Because resolutions often focus on a challenge to overcome, a finish line to cross, or a sudden change to make. But real improvement, especially in running and life, is a process. It happens through small, steady steps and shifts in habits, not quick fixes or dramatic leaps.
This post explores how to reframe your approach to change. Instead of chasing resolutions, embrace a mindset of growth. Focus on building momentum with small, consistent habits that improve your running journey and spill over into other parts of your life.
Why Resolutions Often Fail
New Year’s resolutions usually start with high energy and big goals. People want to run faster, lose weight, or train harder. But these goals often feel like challenges to conquer quickly. When progress stalls or life gets busy, motivation drops. The resolution feels like a failure, and people give up.
Ask yourself: When was the last time a New Year’s resolution truly stuck? Most of us struggle to maintain those early-year promises because resolutions focus on outcomes, not the process.
Shift Your Focus to Growth and Habits
Instead of setting a resolution, think about a life shift or a momentum shift. This means choosing a direction that encourages constant growth. Growth happens when you:
Take small, manageable steps every day
Build habits that support your goals
Celebrate progress, not perfection
Adjust your approach based on what works for you
For example, if your goal is to improve your running, start by adding just five minutes of running to your routine or focusing on better form. These small changes build confidence and create a foundation for bigger improvements.
Small steps on a quiet trail can lead to big changes over time.
How Small Habit Changes Impact Your Running and Life
Changing habits in running can be as simple as:
Setting a consistent time to run each day
Drinking more water before and after runs
Incorporating stretching or strength exercises twice a week
Tracking your runs to notice progress
These habits don’t feel overwhelming, but over weeks and months, they add up. The momentum you build in running often spills over into other areas like work, relationships, and personal goals. When you see yourself improving in one area, you gain confidence to tackle other challenges.
Building a Growth Mindset for the New Year
A growth mindset means believing your abilities can improve with effort and time. It encourages learning from setbacks instead of giving up. To cultivate this mindset:
View challenges as opportunities to learn
Focus on effort and progress, not just results
Be patient with yourself during setbacks
Keep your goals flexible and adaptable
For runners, this might mean accepting slower days or missed runs without guilt. Instead, use those moments to learn what your body needs or how to adjust your schedule.
Practical Tips to Start Your Growth Journey Today
Set process goals, not just outcome goals.
Instead of “run 5 km,” try “run 3 times a week.”
Celebrate small wins.
Did you run an extra minute today? That’s progress.
Create a routine that fits your life.
Consistency beats intensity when building habits.
Track your habits, not just results.
Use a journal or app to note your runs and feelings.
Be kind to yourself.
Growth takes time. Avoid harsh self-judgment.
The Power of Momentum Over Motivation
Motivation can be fleeting, but momentum lasts. When you focus on small habits, you create a chain reaction. One good run leads to another. One healthy meal encourages another. This momentum carries you forward even when motivation dips.
Think of your running journey as a long road, not a sprint. Each step builds energy for the next, and soon you’ll notice changes that last beyond the first few months of the year.
By shifting your mindset from resolutions to growth, you set yourself up for lasting success. Your running journey becomes a source of strength and inspiration, not just a goal to check off. This approach helps you grow in all areas of life, turning hope into real progress.