Plan falls apart? Good.

Today was a bit of a rough day, I have to admit, the end of a couple of rough days. Three weeks into the 2026 and a few things are not going according to plan. My quest to improve my health has taken a step back, I have hit a plateau with juggling and I am not as proficient with the fire whip as I had envisioned by this point in time.

The smooth, straight path, I had imagined and written down on paper has suddenly become one with twists, turns, bumps, potholes and a tree has fallen across it.

This morning I was paralyzed with inaction, unsure of what step to take next. That is when the Tiger raised its head and released a mighty roar that shook me to my core; “I told you that you would fail.”

Given that more than 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the first week of February each year and that only 8% every attain their resolution within a given year. I know that I am not alone in what I am experiencing.

It is happening for many of you as well.

You started your year with clear intention. You had a strong sense of direction and were fueled by passion and energy. Yet, as you have progressed down your path, the clarity has softened, unanticipated challenges have arisen and self-doubt has crept into your mind.

If you are interpreting what is happening as failure, please pause. Take a deep breath, in through your nose and release slowly through your mouth.

This moment doesn’t mean that you are on the wrong path or that your discipline is failing.

It means that the old map, the map you used when you planned your journey, is no longer fully accurate.

The uncertainty you are feeling is the first signal that something is changing.

When you look at your path and how it has evolved and shifted, I know it can feel demoralizing because we believe that Clarity comes first, followed by Confidence, Action and ultimately success. In reality, growth rarely works in this manner.

As you navigate the in-between space of who you used to be and who you are becoming, know that Clarity comes from action, from moving forward while you seek the truth of your path.

Change is uncomfortable and growth is not easy, which is the truth that you must accept.

Look back at the path you have trod, not just the path from the first few weeks of this year; rather the path that has been your life to date. The familiar patterns look welcoming, the path much smoother than we remember and yet, when we were on that path we did not feel fulfilled, we did not feel like our true self.

Going back to that path now, isn’t a move back to comfort and stability; it is a move rooted in avoidance. The comfort and stability are not in the patterns of the past or you would not have set out a new path to follow.

Awareness is key at this juncture, awareness of when you are permitting fear to take control, allowing the Tiger to decide for you.

Resolve is required to stay engage, one step at a time. It is consistent, persistent movement / action that will carry you through the challenging part of your chosen path. It is Resilience to commit to movement / action that will sustain your connection with you that you are becoming.

Momentum will return and increase when you choose to remain committed and accepting of the uncertainty while trusting the transformation you have begun.

There are a two questions you can ask yourself as you move through this process and they are:

1 – What I Learned?
2 – How can I apply my new knowledge?

These two simple and profound questions have helped me with the Resolve and Resilience that I need to overcome the challenges I shared at the start of this newsletter.

I have learned that when I am busy, I have a tendency to eat fast and snack more.

Identifying this has helped because I know put time for eating into my calendar and I leave my office to eat so that I am present when I am eating.

It has helped with my snacking as well since I am no longer worrying about when I might be able to eat, I do not feel the need to go a grab a quick snack.

Transformation is a challenge and you must face the fact that a New Year’s resolution is transformational by nature.

In taking on transformation I have found that having someone to walk beside you matters most in those moments of self-doubt. Not to tell you where to go, what to do different, and certainly not to fix the uncertainty.

They walk beside you to help you hear yourself clearly again, to separate purpose from noise, to keep you moving without a retreat to the false safety of old patterns.

If you have faltered in your New Year’s resolutions at this point, do not chalk it up as a failure and give up. Ask yourself the two questions, update your plan with the new knowledge and step forward again on your path to transformation.

I will be there to help you when you’re ready for it.

Quote of The Week:

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” — Winston Churchill

That is the Tiger that I refer to and the idea of creating the metaphor for the Tiger came from Jim Lawless in his book, Taming Tigers.   

It’s fear and self-doubt dressed up as protection, convincing us to stay safe instead of stepping forward and growing. The Tiger is loud, convincing and relentless, but here’s the truth: it only has the power we give it.

Every time you step forward in spite of that roar, you weaken its grip and strengthen your own. That is what Tiger Letters are all about, sharing knowledge, experience, fears and inner strength to make your dreams a reality.

So, the next time your Tiger ROARS, smile at it, step forward reclaiming your power and break through the fear barrier into your growth zone.

Before you go, here is ONE way you can work with me.

Book your FREE Kickstart Call with me - 1:1 performance coaching to help you break through fear, self-doubt, and procrastination—so you can finally move forward with clarity, confidence, and courage.

Until next time!
The Tiger Is Inside You.