The New Year’s Resolution Virus: A Lesson in Life and Logistics

As another year approaches its finish line, the air is filled with familiar sounds of “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.” Shopping malls overflow with holiday shoppers, and the city is covered in its winter white. Amid this festive chaos, there’s another ritual we all recognize: the spread of what I call “The New Year’s Resolution Virus.”

Every December, this virus infects us with ambitious goals: lose weight, quit smoking, become more organized, or master your meditation skills. For logistics professionals, aspirations often include growing their expertise in the industry, finding smarter ways to streamline workflows, or mastering the tools and technologies that can make their operations more effective. These goals challenge us to grow, pushing us to envision the professionals we strive to become. Yet, turning these aspirations into sustained progress requires effort, persistence, and discipline.

The Problem with Waiting Until the New Year

The reality? By February, most resolutions fade, and we retreat to the safety of our status quo. One key reason resolutions fail is what James Clear, in Atomic Habits, calls the Valley of Disappointment.

In the early stages of growth, progress often feels slow or invisible, and the lack of immediate results can be deeply discouraging. This frustration tempts us to abandon our efforts and return to what feels comfortable.

But in the logistics industry—or any field of life—the comfort zone is not where growth happens. Real progress comes when you push through this valley, trusting that small, consistent efforts will eventually yield meaningful results.

This is why waiting until January 1st to act often sets us up for failure. Grand resolutions focus on dramatic, short-term changes but lack the structure for long-term success. In contrast, discipline—the ability to commit to small, consistent efforts—builds habits that endure. This is the foundation of what I call New Day’s Resolutions—an approach that prioritizes steady improvement every day.

From the Status Quo to Climbing New Peaks: 3 Very Important Questions to Ask Yourself

When I think about climbing new peaks, I’m reminded of the famous words of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to conquer Mount Everest: “Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I’ll beat you the next time because you’ve grown all you are going to grow… but I’m still growing.”

These words perfectly capture the mindset needed to break free from the status quo. Breaking free requires not only effort but also the mental resilience to endure the Valley of Disappointment. The initial lack of visible progress can feel like climbing a steep, endless slope. However, persistence—those small adjustments—eventually snowballs into transformative growth.

To reach new heights in your logistics career, start by asking yourself three critical questions:

1. Why do I want this change?
2. What will it bring me in terms of skills, growth, or opportunities?
3. Am I serious about following through?

Having enough clarity to answer these questions will keep you focused on what truly matters, ensuring that your efforts lead to meaningful progress.

Consistency and Discipline: The 1% Rule

In both life and logistics, consistency and discipline go hand in hand. In Atomic Habits, the author emphasizes the power of 1% improvement: small, incremental changes, when compounded over time, can lead to remarkable transformations.

This principle resonates deeply with us at Latin American Cargo, where self-development and discipline are not just values—they’re ways of life. Rooted in the philosophy of Kaizen—continuous improvement—we believe in the power of small, consistent efforts to create lasting growth.

In our Self-Development Meetings, I’ve shared the concept of 1% improvement with our team. We’ve explored how discipline enables us to commit to small, manageable changes that lead to remarkable transformations—not only in personal growth but also in professional development.

Discipline serves as the bridge between setting intentions and achieving results. My best definition of discipline has always been that discipline is doing the things that you must do when you must do them—not when you want to do them.

To build momentum, dedicate just a few minutes each day to your self-development. These small, consistent efforts may seem minor at first, but over time, they lead to profound and lasting professional growth. Discipline ensures that small habits—consistently applied—will guide you through the Valley of Disappointment and deliver results that transform your logistics career.

3 Takeaways to Move Forward

1. Resolutions require daily effort and discipline, not grand gestures: Small, consistent steps lead to meaningful progress in your career and professional development.
2. Push through the Valley of Disappointment: Early efforts may feel invisible, but persistence and discipline create momentum that transforms your skills and confidence.
3. Adopt New Day’s Resolutions: Focus on steady, incremental improvements every day instead of relying on dramatic changes at the start of the year.

The time to act isn’t on January 1st—it’s today. Start your climb now, and make every step count.