Okay, friends, let’s talk about the New Year—you know, that magical time when we all decide that this year will be different. We make these beautiful, shiny plans. But I’ve been around long enough to know that for most of us, those well-meaning promises fade into the background of our busy lives by February. Why? Because we don’t make real commitments. And here’s the truth: nothing changes if nothing changes.
Enter the Commitment Cascade.
I call it a cascade because once you get going, it’s like water flowing downhill—each step leads to the next, gathering momentum until, eventually, you’re in a new place entirely. But make no mistake, that journey starts with a decision. And that decision has to be rooted in the gut-level acknowledgement that something needs to change.
Step 1: Decision
First things first, we’ve got to get real with ourselves. Look at your business, your goals—what’s not working? I’m talking about the messy truth, not the polite version you tell others. Maybe your systems are outdated, your leadership style isn’t serving you, or your revenue goals have hit a plateau because you’ve been playing it safe. The decision is about facing facts and admitting that something’s got to give.
Step 2: Dedication
This is where the magic begins. Dedication is when you look at that decision you made and say, “Okay, I’m not just gonna flirt with the idea of change. I’m in this.” It’s a vow to yourself. You’re not going to dip a toe in the water; you’re diving in. Whether it’s revamping your sales process, taking a hard look at your team structure, or finally committing to that big, audacious business goal you’ve been putting off—this is where you promise yourself that this year will actually be different.
Step 3: Discipline
Ah, discipline. This one isn’t sexy, but it’s necessary. Discipline is the action part. The day-to-day, unglamorous stuff that actually moves the needle. It’s showing up when you’d rather hit snooze. It’s having the hard conversations instead of avoiding them. It’s sticking to the plan when you’re tempted to revert to your old ways. Discipline is the grit. This is the part where most people quit because it’s hard, and—guess what—it’s supposed to be.
Step 4: Determination
Here’s where things get real. Determination is about pushing through when the going gets tough. The market shifts, the deals fall through, the clients get squirrelly—and you’re still there, committed to the change you vowed to make. Determination is what keeps you moving forward when every part of you wants to revert back to what’s comfortable. But here’s the thing: growth and comfort don’t live in the same house. You get one or the other.
Result: Transformation
Finally, if you stick with it, you’ll look up one day and realize that you’re different. Your business is different. You made it through the fire, and now you’re standing on the other side, changed. And the best part? You did that. You showed up for yourself and for your business. You made the hard decisions, stuck with the discipline, and found your way through the challenges.
Goal Setting for the New Year
Now, as we’re heading into goal-setting season, I want you to think about this Commitment Cascade. What would it look like for you to stop setting goals that are just shiny objects, and instead commit to real transformation? We’re not just talking about more—more sales, more clients, more revenue. What if we asked ourselves, “What’s enough?” What if the goals we set were about creating sustainable, meaningful success, rather than just chasing growth for growth’s sake?
This is the year we commit to doing things differently. We face what’s not working, dive in wholeheartedly, and build the discipline and determination to see it through. Transformation doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because we choose it, we commit to it, and we persist through every single obstacle.
This year, let’s let the Cascade carry us to real, lasting change.
Let’s go. We’ve got this.