So, what shall we get up this week?

I've just come back from a dog walk along the river and the number of fat, old people out running is enough to scare the local hospitals.

I was getting drunk just from the fumes coming out of these old bastards.

We're in that period between Christmas and New Year when nobody knows what day of the week it is.

The one thing we all know is, we feel like shit:

1. Eaten too much;
2. Drunk too much; and
3. Slept badly (due to 1 and 2).

So out come the running shoes (last used in Jan 2024).

New Year, New You

As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where you are in life. And to make that list of things you wanna give up.

Here's the top 10 list of New Year's resolutions:

1. Exercise More
2. Lose Weight
3. Eat Healthier
4. Spend Less
5. Learn a New Skill / Hobby
6. Quit Smoking
7. Reduce Alcohol
8. Read More
9. Spend More Time with Family
10. Travel More

I know. You thought you were unique. You had some great ideas about what's gonna work this year. And yet, looking at that list, you see your resolutions are just the same as everyone else's.

And do you know the average length of time before these resolutions are broken?

The 2nd Friday in January (that's January 10th this year). Pretty pathetic, huh?

Here’s the truth: your life, right now, is the sum of all the tiny, seemingly insignificant actions you take every single day.

Each decision—whether it’s what to eat, how you spend your time, or whether you hit snooze one more time—shapes the person you see in the mirror today.

So, if you’re not exactly where you want to be, the culprit isn’t bad luck or some abstract force outside your control. It’s you.

Ouch. That hurts. You may not want to believe it. You probably won't. But it's not your genes, your slow metabolism, your long working hours, your parents, your addictive personality.

It's you.

The good news? That same truth puts you squarely in the driver’s seat to change everything. And if you really, truly buy into that, then you can achieve anything.

Small Decisions = Big Results

We tend to look at successful people and think they’ve done something extraordinary—run a marathon, write a book, or start a business. But the truth is that their success is rarely the result of grand gestures. Instead, it’s built on a foundation of small, consistent decisions made over time.

Consider this:

• Your health isn’t the result of one salad or one skipped workout; it’s the pattern of choices you’ve made over months or years.
• Your career doesn’t advance because of a single big win. It’s built through steady effort, focus, and showing up every day.
• Your relationships aren’t defined by grand declarations of love but by daily moments of connection and care.

The idea of “overnight success” is a myth. What we often call luck is just the compounding power of sustained effort.

The Power of Compounding Choices

Compounding doesn’t just apply to money; it applies to every area of your life. Tiny positive actions compound over time to create massive results. But here’s the kicker: negative actions compound, too.

Imagine two people:

• One decides to walk for 30 minutes every day, while the other spends that time scrolling on their phone.
• One saves £10 a day, while the other spends an extra £10.
• One spends time each evening reading a book, while the other binge-watches another show.

The differences between these two people won’t be obvious after a week or even a month. But over a year, five years, or a decade? The gap will be enormous.

How to Make 2025 the Year of Action

New Year’s resolutions often fail because they focus on lofty end goals rather than the daily actions that make those goals achievable. Instead of setting abstract goals like “lose weight” or “eat healthier” focus on controlling today.

Here’s how:

1. Start Small—But Start

Big goals can feel overwhelming, which leads to inaction. Instead, identify the smallest possible action you can take today. If your goal is to get healthier, start with a 5-minute walk or swapping soda for water. Small wins build momentum.

2. Audit Your Current Habits

Spend a day—or even a week—tracking your choices. How are you spending your time, energy, and money? Be brutally honest. Awareness is the first step to change.

3. Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection

You don’t have to be perfect every day to see results. Missing a workout or making an impulsive purchase doesn’t erase progress. What matters is getting back on track.

4. Attach Habits to Existing Routines

Pair new habits with something you already do. For example, while brushing your teeth, think of three things you’re grateful for. Or, do five push-ups before you shower. This makes new behaviours easier to stick with.

5. Be Patient—Trust the Process

Results take time, but time is on your side. Remember, every decision you make today is shaping your future self. Trust the compounding power of your efforts.

You Can’t Hack Time, But You Can Hack Your Decisions

We often search for shortcuts, but the truth is that time is the ultimate ingredient in any success story. You can’t rush the process, but you can control what you do today, tomorrow, and the next day.

By recognising that every action—no matter how small—counts, you take back control of your life. You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Just take one deliberate action today, then another tomorrow. Before long, you’ll find yourself on a path that leads exactly where you want to go.

Your 2025 Challenge

Here’s my challenge for you as we step into the New Year:

1. Pick one habit to work on in January. Start small and stay consistent.
2. Set a daily intention. Each morning, decide what one thing you’ll focus on that day to move closer to your goal. And just focus on achieving that one thing.
3. Track your progress. Use a journal, app, or even a sticky note on your fridge. Seeing your streak build will motivate you to keep going.

By this time next year, you won’t recognise your life—and it all starts today.

Happy New Year! Let’s make it count.

Jon "Compounding" Kaye

P.S. My latest track on Spotify is called "Unspoken" and it's getting some love (17,901 streams so far) so for all of you who've already checked it out, thank you so much.

P.P.S. My next track is a cover version of "Crazy" and it will be out on 3 January. For the older ones amongst you, you might remember the original. It would be great if you could pre-save it here. You also get a pre-release version ahead of anyone else. Enjoy.