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Why Most Resolutions Fail and How to Stick to a Plan with PEDS

Every New Year, millions of people set ambitious resolutions. They vow to get in shape, save more money, or finally tackle that big dream they’ve been putting off. But by February, the enthusiasm fades, the excuses pile up, and the resolutions quietly fall apart.


Why does this happen year after year? It’s because most people rely on motivation alone to carry them forward, and as I often say, “Motivation is an emotion, and emotions are fleeting.” Success doesn’t come from bursts of inspiration—it comes from discipline, consistency, and a solid plan. That’s where the PEDS framework—Plan, Execute, Dominate—comes in.


The Importance of Prioritizing and Planning


Discipline isn’t restrictive—it’s freeing. When you have a clear plan, you don’t waste time second-guessing or reacting to distractions. Instead, you create structure that allows you to focus on what truly matters.


If you don’t have a plan for your day, you don’t have a plan for your life. Too often, people set lofty resolutions without breaking them down into manageable, actionable steps. They expect change to happen magically because they want it badly enough. But wanting isn’t enough—you need a roadmap to get where you’re going.


The Foundation of Planning


You wouldn’t build a house without blueprints, and you shouldn’t build your goals without a plan. The first step in the PEDS framework is to dedicate time to plan effectively. This means identifying what’s most important and allocating your limited resources—time and energy—toward those priorities.

Actionable Steps for Planning


  1. Plan to Plan: Set aside dedicated time weekly to map out your goals and daily tasks for the days ahead. Treat this planning session as a priority, just like a meeting or appointment.

  2. Define SMART Goals: Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, “I will exercise three times a week for 30 minutes” is better than “I want to get fit.”

  3. Offload Mental Clutter: Your brain isn’t designed to remember every task. Use a planner, app, or even a notebook as your external hard drive to store your plans, free up mental space, and stay organized.

  4. Anticipate Obstacles: Identify potential roadblocks in advance. For example, if evenings are unpredictable, schedule your workouts for the morning. Prepare solutions for setbacks so you stay on track, even when challenges arise.

  5. Reflect on Your Purpose: Tie your goals to a larger "WHY." Ask yourself how achieving this goal will align with the person you want to become. Purpose-driven goals are far more likely to keep you motivated and focused.


Execution: Turning Plans Into Action


A perfect plan means nothing if you don’t act on it. Execution is where most resolutions fail because people stop showing up when the initial excitement fades or the first opportunity to make an excuse appears. Success requires doing the work, even when it’s inconvenient. Or better yet, ESPECIALLY when it’s inconvenient. 


Small, consistent victories—what I call "micro wins"—are what build momentum and confidence. Micro wins remind us that progress isn’t linear. There will be setbacks and slow days, but each small step forward is a building block toward your ultimate goal. It’s about consistently moving the needle, even if progress feels incremental. Every time you follow through, you’re proving to yourself that you can.


Take Control

Stop waiting for the perfect moment. As I often say, “There’s no such thing as the perfect time—there’s only now.” Take ownership of your actions and commit to executing your plan daily. 


Don’t worry about doing it over and over again in the future. That can be daunting. 


Don’t let your past inconsistencies shackle you to the same repeated patterns of behavior.


Focus on doing the RIGHT THING, RIGHT NOW. If you are doing the RIGHT THING, RIGHT NOW. You are ALWAYS DOING THE RIGHT THING.


Actionable Steps for Execution


  1. Start Small: Big changes don’t happen overnight. Break your goals into bite-sized tasks you can tackle consistently.

  2. Focus on Your Daily Wins: Identify your 2-3 key tasks every morning that align with your long-term goals and complete them before anything else.

  3. Track Your Progress: Use a habit tracker or journal to monitor your consistency. Seeing your streak grow is a powerful motivator.

  4. Reflect and Adjust Daily: Spend a few minutes at the end of each day assessing what went well and what could improve tomorrow.

  5. Stick to Your Roadmap: Don’t let emotions or excuses deter your plan. Think of your plan as a roadmap or recipe—if you follow the steps, you’ll reach the destination or outcome you want. Detours caused by emotions can derail progress, so stick to the process, even when it feels challenging.

Dominate: Taking Full Ownership


Domination is the mindset of going all in. It’s not just about completing tasks—it’s about doing them with purpose, energy, and excellence. To dominate your goals, you need to stay adaptable, committed, and relentlessly focused on improvement.


Play at the Ceiling

To hit your goals, you can't just check boxes—you need to push yourself to your highest level. Play at your ceiling, where growth and discomfort meet. When you consistently operate at your highest capability, that ceiling becomes your new baseline. This is how real progress is made. Not every day will allow for the same level of intensity. But as long as you give your FULL EFFORT each day, you will continue to see meaningful progress and increase your capacity to accomplish more.


Actionable Steps for Domination


  1. Review Weekly Progress: Reflect on your achievements, identify challenges, and refine your approach to stay aligned with your goals.

  2. Celebrate Wins: Progress, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. Acknowledge milestones to stay motivated.

  3. Adapt When Necessary: Life is unpredictable. Adjust your strategy when needed, but never abandon your commitment.

  4. Commit to Excellence: Strive for quality in everything you do, from the smallest habit to the biggest task.

  5. Strive for Growth: Always seek opportunities to expand your skills, mindset, and capacity. Growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone—lean into it and embrace the challenges that come your way.


Why the PEDS Framework Works


The PEDS framework works because it creates structure and eliminates reliance on motivation. By focusing on planning, executing, and dominating, you replace wishful thinking with disciplined action. It’s a system that ensures your resolutions don’t just survive—they thrive.


Ready to Crush Your Goals?


Stop letting resolutions slip away. Take control of your day, your actions, and your outcomes with the PEDS framework. Plan your day, execute relentlessly, and dominate every step of the way. Your future self will thank you.


Let’s crush it together. What’s your next step?

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