Tuesday, 30 September, marks the close of the third quarter of 2025. For many, this moment stirs mixed emotions. Some look back with pride at the goals they’ve met, while others feel a quiet weight—those resolutions written in January that still sit untouched. If you fall into the second group, you’re not alone. In fact, research consistently shows that most people abandon their resolutions by the first quarter.
But here’s the truth: the story of 2025 isn’t finished yet. And you still hold the pen.
Why Resolutions Slip Away
When we set resolutions at the dawn of a new year, we often imagine fresh starts and bold ambitions. But life happens—unexpected challenges arise, motivation fades, and vague goals dissolve in the busyness of daily routines. Resolutions fail not because we lack discipline, but because we fail to give our goals the clarity, structure, and accountability they need to thrive.
A Story of Renewal
Earlier this year, I spoke with a small business owner who admitted she had abandoned nearly all her resolutions by March. Sales targets were unmet, her savings plan derailed, and she felt like the year was already lost. But in October, she decided to focus on just one priority: building stronger client relationships. She called five customers every week, offered added value where she could, and tracked her efforts carefully. By December, not only had she recovered lost ground—she ended the year with her strongest quarter ever.
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Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to reset, refocus, and rewrite the narrative.
Reframing the Final Quarter
Think of the last quarter not as a reminder of what hasn’t been done, but as an open door. Three months may not be enough to accomplish everything you planned, but it’s more than enough to make meaningful progress. Sometimes, it’s in the last stretch that breakthroughs happen—when priorities become clearer, distractions are trimmed, and the urgency of time fuels focused action.
How to Realign Before Year-End
If you feel behind, here are steps to get back on track:
- Choose impact over volume. Don’t chase every resolution. Identify one or two that will matter most if you achieve them this year.
- Redesign your goals. Break them into weekly milestones. Small, steady wins create momentum.
- Find accountability. Share your renewed commitment with someone you trust. When others know, you’re more likely to stay the course.
- Honour progress, not perfection. Every step forward is a step away from where you started.
Setting Resolutions Differently in 2026
Looking ahead, the way we set resolutions must evolve. Instead of writing long wish lists, build goals that are:
- Specific and measurable. Vague aspirations rarely lead to action.
- Realistic but stretching. Growth happens when goals are within reach but require effort.
- Flexible. Life is dynamic; your goals should adapt when circumstances shift.
- Rooted in consistency. It’s not the giant leaps, but the small daily steps that shape long-term success.
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A Final Thought
The end of a quarter—or even the end of a year—isn’t a deadline for success. It’s a checkpoint, an invitation to reflect, realign, and reimagine. Whether you’ve met all your goals or none at all, what matters is the choice you make today.
Because the year 2025 still has a final chapter. And you have the power to write it well.
Source: Alfred Sarpong | Bizexcel Partners
