Purpose Without Action: New Year’s Intentions to Business Reality

Every January, millions of people and companies set New Year’s resolutions filled with optimism. However, according to a study by the University of Scranton, only 8% succeed in this corporate endeavor. What accounts for this staggering discrepancy? A lack of clear strategy and actionable methods. As business leaders, we must approach every resolution, personal or professional, with the same discipline with which we manage our organizations: setting clear goals, tracking progress, and adjusting course when necessary. This article explores the importance of transforming intentions into tangible actions from both a personal and corporate standpoint. 

It is no secret that habits shape our success. Research from Duke University suggests that 40% of our daily actions are habitual, meaning we function on autopilot most of the time. This is crucial in business leadership. A goal without the right habits attached to it is likely to be forgotten. Leaders must identify and cultivate habits that align with their long-term business vision. Consider setting the intention to get 1% better each day, representing an impressive 37% advancement over a year. The key is to maintain perspective on the big picture while focusing on micro-habits. For instance, beginning each day with just 10 minutes of mindfulness or journaling can clear our minds, enabling us to approach decision-making with greater clarity and purpose. 

Business leaders can also implement habits that encourage proactive engagement. For example, a leader might make it a routine to discuss business opportunities presented differently to their teams, via agile and efficient methodologies that motivate critical thinking and encourage a growth mindset. Fostering a culture of accountability, creativity, and growth — not just a weekly review of data — is our main responsibility. Engaging in “power hours” dedicated "to build" invites collaboration, driving teams to assess innovation holistically and ensuring alignment across all areas of the organization. 

Once a system is in place, it must be monitored for effectiveness. According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), individuals are more likely to succeed in their resolutions with a strategy in motion and a clear perspective on progress. This tactic mirrors the familiar business contexts of OKRs and KPIs. A strategy without regular check-ins and reassessments is like a ship without a rudder: it can easily veer off course. 

Take, for instance, a company implementing a new sales strategy. Without continuous monitoring and feedback loops, the initiative is destined to underperform. Scheduling follow-ups at regular intervals will allow trends to emerge and guide adjustments to the “how” without compromising the “why.” 2024 was a great year, in my experience, to deliver outstanding results due to this matter. It was time to rearrange the revenue split of new sales versus the participation of internal clients. Implementing a customer success vision centered on client value and readjusting our sales team’s structures to fit this thesis was fundamental to celebrate the progress achieved quarter by quarter and reach the end-of-year objective. 

Many successful leaders highlight the importance of clear, actionable steps in achieving their vision. Jeff Bezos, for instance, writes detailed letters to Amazon’s shareholders each year, serving as public follow-ups on the company’s goals. Adopting his “six-page memo” approach encourages in-depth preparation and fosters deeper focus and accountability before presenting ideas. 

Similarly, Elon Musk’s use of structured project timelines exemplifies a relentless commitment to vision. To incorporate such practices, leaders should ask themselves, “What will success look like at the end of this project?” and create a roadmap that breaks this down into manageable steps. 

There is huge importance in building feedback loops into our professional lives. If a leader’s intention is to foster innovation but current strategies yield lackluster results, they must be willing to reconsider their approach — similar to how athletes adjust training regimens for optimal performance. 

Quarterly “retrospective sessions” with teams can facilitate this process, evaluating what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve, thereby promoting a growth mindset within the organization. 

As we enter a new year or any new cycle, it is crucial to remember that intentions alone are not enough to drive success. A clear strategy, consistent habit-building, strategic follow-up, and the willingness to adapt are critical ingredients for turning resolutions into achievements. By applying these principles to our professional lives, we can create lasting change that transcends fleeting good intentions. So, as you embark on this journey, reflect on your intentions: What specific actions can you take to ensure these resolutions translate into outcomes? Engage your teams, monitor your progress, and cultivate the habits necessary for success because without action, intentions remain just that: intentions.