The start of a new year often brings the pressure to set resolutions, aim for change, and hit reset. But here’s the truth: waiting for the perfect time—like the beginning of the year or the next Monday—to start making progress can be a trap. It creates unnecessary pressure and often sets us up for failure. The best time to start is right now, no matter what day it is.

Why Date-Specific Resolutions Can Be Problematic

Aligning your goals to a specific date—whether it’s 1st January or the first Monday of the month—can set you up for an unrealistic starting point. We picture the “perfect” new beginning, often expecting a sudden burst of motivation. But then, life happens. You might face setbacks, distractions, or simply experience human nature’s resistance to change.

When your resolution is tied to a date, you’re essentially chasing perfection rather than focusing on progress. Missing a workout on the 2nd of January or slipping on your diet can feel like failure, which derails everything. But what if you didn’t tie your success to an arbitrary date? What if you just decided to start right now, regardless of the day on the calendar?

Baby Steps: Why Small Progress is the Key to Success

Instead of aiming for perfection—which is often impossible and overwhelming—break your goals down into smaller, manageable steps. Baby steps are the secret to sustainable growth. Small, consistent actions, when taken regularly, compound over time, leading to real change. By focusing on progress over perfection, you remove the pressure that often leads to giving up.

Take starting a business, for example. Imagine you’ve set a goal to increase your income by 25% this year. Instead of trying to achieve that in one big leap, break it down into smaller, actionable steps. Start by researching new revenue streams, identifying potential clients, or refining your pricing strategy. Even dedicating just 30 minutes a day to research or brainstorming new ideas is better than waiting until next month to get started.

This gradual build-up, whether it’s networking, marketing, or improving your services, will lead to success. You don’t have to achieve everything at once. Start small and build from there. And the best part? It’s progress, not perfection, that will get you there.

Letting Go of Perfection: The Power of Imperfection

A common misconception about setting resolutions is that you need to be perfect from day one. This mindset only sets you up for burnout and disappointment. Success isn’t about meeting impossible standards, but about showing up consistently and doing the work.

Take the usual diatribe about diet and fitness goals. You hear it all the time—”Cut out sugar completely and work out every day.” But what happens when you fall short? You get frustrated, feel like a failure, and abandon your efforts altogether.

It’s the same with any goal, whether it’s business, personal development, or career-related. Life is full of detours, and trying to live up to an idealized version of yourself sets you up for disappointment. The key is to forgive yourself when things don’t go perfectly, and get back on track without shame. Missing a workout or indulging in a treat isn’t the end of the world. The real progress comes from showing up day after day, even if you take a few wrong turns along the way.

Real-World Example: Starting a Business

Imagine you’ve decided to start a business this year. It’s a big goal, and the thought of it may seem overwhelming, especially if it’s your first venture. But instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment, break the process down into smaller, manageable steps. Start with tasks like researching the market, identifying your target customers, or setting up a basic business structure. You could even spend just 20 minutes a day reading industry articles or brainstorming potential products or services.

Instead of waiting for the perfect time to launch your business, commit to taking small, actionable steps every day. Maybe your first step is to register your business name, then move on to drafting a simple business plan. You could start building your brand’s social media presence, networking with potential clients, or creating your first product. Each of these small actions adds up to big progress over time, without the pressure of trying to do it all at once.

Starting a business isn’t about waiting for the perfect time—it’s about taking consistent action. Even when things don’t go as planned—whether that’s a missed opportunity or an imperfect product launch—keep moving forward. Progress is always better than perfection.

Progress is Always Good, No Matter How Small

The idea of waiting for the “perfect” date—whether it’s New Year’s Day or the start of a new week—only slows down your progress. Don’t wait for an arbitrary time to start. Start right now, and focus on the small steps you can take towards your goal. Whether you’re starting a business, learning a new skill, or improving your career, progress is always more important than perfection. Even the smallest steps add up to significant results over time.

So, let go of the perfectionist mindset, take small actions each day, and celebrate the progress you make. You don’t need a specific date to begin—just take that first step today, and let momentum carry you toward success.

Developing a New Skill or Learning a New Language

Another great example of the power of starting now is learning a new skill or language. Whether it’s for personal growth, career advancement, or just for the joy of learning something new, the key is to start right away. Too often, we think we need to dedicate an entire week or plan the “perfect” time to begin. In reality, even 15 minutes a day can lead to great progress over time.

Let’s say you’ve always wanted to learn French. It might seem daunting at first, but instead of waiting for the “perfect” time to start, break it down into small, manageable actions. Spend just 15 minutes each day on a language app, listening to French podcasts, or practicing pronunciation. It doesn’t take much, but over time, those 15 minutes add up to real progress. It’s the same for any new skill—whether it’s coding, photography, or cooking. By committing to small, consistent actions and not waiting for the “perfect” time to begin, you’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make.

The Power of Consistency and Incremental Progress

Getting to your goal by taking small actions each day is a strategy rooted in consistency and incremental progress. It’s about breaking a large objective into manageable steps that can be done regularly, ensuring that each action, no matter how small, contributes to the overall goal.

This approach avoids the overwhelming pressure that comes with trying to achieve a large goal all at once. Small actions often feel more achievable, and they can be done without burning out. Over time, these small, steady efforts compound into significant progress.

The goal isn’t to be perfect straight away, but to keep moving forward. A few minutes of language practice might seem insignificant today, but after a few months, you’ll have made substantial progress. Don’t wait for a magical start date—just start today, and watch your skills, business, or career grow.