New Year New YOU Anti-Fade 101

New Year motivation fades fast. Here’s how to stop negotiating with yourself, set a minimum standard day, never miss twice, and build real momentum all year.

It’s Monday. It’s 2026. The gym is packed, the energy is high, and everybody’s posting goals like they’re already done.

Cool.

Now let’s talk about what actually changes your life when the “new year” shine wears off.

Good morning and welcome back to Breakthrough with Coach Lew. New year. Fresh start. Big goals. Everybody fired up.

But let’s get honest:

It isn’t the new year that changes you.It’s your decisions. 

It’s the habits you build when the “new and shiny” wears off.

Because a month from now? The gym gets quiet again. And it’s not because people are broken. It’s because they start negotiating.

The Fade Happens When Life Gets “Normal” Again

January is easy.

February shows up with:

• work chaos

• kids’ birthdays

• stress

• late nights

• “I’ll start again Monday”

And that voice creeps in:

“You can’t really keep this up.”“You don’t have time.”“Just skip today.”

That’s where most people lose the year.

Negotiation Is Where Goals Go to Die

Here’s the truth: negotiation is where goals go to die.

The negotiation sounds innocent… until it isn’t:

• “Not today.”

• “Tomorrow.”

• “Next week.”

• “When things calm down.”

And then one day you look up and it’s December 31st again.

Tomorrow turns into next week. Next week turns into next year. Next year turns into fucking never.

Quick Story: 2008 Taught Me This Lesson the Hard Way

Before the crash, I remember writing down what I owned—properties, assets, the whole list—and thinking:

“Damn… I’m successful.”

I worked like a dog. I had hunger. I had drive. I never lost that edge.

Then 2008 hit.

Markets crashed. Stress hit. My health started crashing from the pressure. And I remember feeling like:

“That’s it. Best days are over.”

If you’ve ever started strong and then watched it fade—health, business, relationships—you know that feeling.

But here’s what I learned:

Fresh starts don’t come from motivation.Motivation is the spark.

Identity and commitment are the fuel.

Are You “Normal”… and Are You Cool With That?

Let’s define “normal” real quick:

• tired

• out of breath on the stairs

• pudgy around the middle

• coasting

• average

That’s normal.

But are you okay with it?

If you’re like, “Yeah, I’m fine here,” you’re probably in the wrong place.

But if you’re thinking:

“Hell no! God’s got a better plan for me than this.”

Then you’re exactly who I’m talking to.

Anti-Fade 101: How You Keep Momentum All Year

1) Find your WHY (until it hits you in the throat)

Don’t stop at “more money” or “get in shape.”

Ask:

• Why do I want that?

• What does it give me?

• Who does it help?

• What does it cost me if I stay the same?

Ask it 6–7 times until the answer gets real.

2) Expect resistance (and decide who you are anyway)

The hard part isn’t starting.

The hard part is when it stops being exciting.

That dip isn’t failure. It’s the process.And it’s where people negotiate themselves out of the life they said they wanted.

3) Create your minimum standard day

Write this down:

“Even on my worst day, I still do ____.”

Examples:

• 10 minutes of movement

• one clean meal + water

• 10 minutes of journaling/reading/prayer

• a short walk even if life is chaos

You can scale it down.

But don’t skip what makes you you.

4) Never miss twice

A bad day is a bad day.

It’s not a bad week. It’s not a bad life. It’s not total failure.

But missing twice? That’s the start of the spiral.

5) Track proof, not hype

Every week, take 3 minutes and write:

• 3 wins

• 1 lesson

• 1 adjustment

You build confidence by collecting evidence.

Picture This: One Year From Now

One year from now you’re going to look back and say one of two things:

1. “I did this.” (with a smile)

2. “I wish I started.”

That “I did this” feeling?

That’s not luck.

That’s earned.

Your Move Today

Write one sentence:

“I am becoming the kind of person who ____ because ____.”

Then pick one non-negotiable habit for the next 7 days.

Not 50 habits. Not a whole new personality.

One.

And don’t do it alone.

Get accountability. Get a real circle. Get around people who push you forward—not people who coddle you into staying the same.

Final Word

New Year, New You isn’t a slogan. It’s a decision.

When it gets tough, it’s not a sign to stop.

It’s time to hit the accelerator.

Say it with me:

“I don’t negotiate with myself.”

Live with faith, energy, passion—and always live your dreams.

Want help staying locked in all year?

Catch the shows and plug into the community at Lew.live.

With that all said make sure to watch the video, take action today, get some coaching and step up to the life you desire and deserve!

Live with faith, energy, passion and always live your dreams!

-Coach Lew 

Founder XLR8Life University and CoachLew.com