Why Trying Hard Rarely Works
Every January, we’re encouraged to fix something.
Lose weight.
Sort your gut out.
Be less stressed.
Get organised.
Be better.
We start the year believing we’re committed to change — so why do health goals fail before the end of the month?
People set goals like “lose weight” or “eat healthier” without addressing the deeper intention behind them — freedom, safety, confidence, or trust in their own body.
When the nervous system is stressed or constantly on high alert, digestion, metabolism, and energy are directly affected. In that state, no amount of willpower is enough to sustain change.
People don’t struggle because they’re lazy or lack discipline. Health goals fail because they’re often set from the head alone, disconnected from what actually matters beneath the surface.
This year, I want to offer a different approach.
Why Resolutions Fail
Statistics vary, but the pattern is consistent: most New Year’s resolutions don’t last beyond a few weeks.
That’s not a motivation problem — it’s a meaning problem.
Resolutions tend to focus on trying to do something:
Outcomes (“Lose 10kg”)
Fixing Perceived Flaws
Short-Term Targets
External Pressure
They rarely ask the deeper question:
Why does this matter to me?
Focus on Intention
An intention is something you’re choosing to move towards.
An intention:
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Is values-led, not outcome-led
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Evolves as you evolve
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Shapes how you act, not just what you achieve
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Has meaning beyond a finish line
This is where the mind–body–soul trinity comes in.
Many goals are set in the mind.
The body feels the impact.
But the soul knows what you’re really longing for.
In The Mind–Body–Soul Connection, I explore why we were never meant to live from the neck up — how health is a conversation between mind, body, and soul, and what happens when that connection falls out of sync.
When intention comes from that deeper place, change becomes more sustainable — because it’s aligned.
Looking Beneath the Goal
Let’s take some common health goals and look underneath them.
I want to lose weight
Why?
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To feel healthier?
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To move more freely?
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To feel confident in your body?
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To stop feeling held back?
I want to sort my gut
Why?
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To feel safe leaving the house?
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To enjoy social situations again?
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To trust your body?
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To stop planning life around symptoms?
I want to reduce stress
Why?
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To feel more in control?
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To sleep better?
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To feel calmer in your relationships?
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To reconnect with yourself?
When we stop at the surface goal, we miss the point.
The real intention lives underneath.
My Intention for the Year
Using a couple of words, my intention is:
Focus & Completion.
I have a lot of ideas. I put heart and energy into my work.
But I also know my pattern — losing focus, leaving things unfinished, spreading myself thin.
What I’m really striving for isn’t productivity. Instead, it’s:
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A sense of completion
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The satisfaction of bringing ideas into the world
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Being able to fully support the people I work with
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Trusting myself to follow things through
Those words give me something to return to — especially when distraction or overwhelm creeps in.
Finding Your Intention
Once you’ve connected with the deeper reason behind your goals, the next step is to give it form.
Not a detailed plan — just a clear direction.
Something you can return to when motivation dips or life gets busy.
One simple way to do that is to choose a word.
Choose one word if you can.
Two is fine.
Three is the absolute maximum.
Take a moment to reflect.
Ask yourself:
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What do I want more of in my life this year?
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What feels missing, not broken?
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How do I want to feel, not just perform?
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What would make life feel more spacious, freer, more meaningful?
Then distil it down.
From Intention to Action
Once you know your intention, ask yourself:
What are three small, consistent actions that would support this?
NOT DRAMATIC CHANGES.
NOT PERFECTION.
JUST DIRECTION.
A short daily walk
Five minutes of breathwork before bed
Completing one task before starting another
And remember:
As you grow, your capacity grows.
Your goals may shift.
Your understanding of yourself will deepen.
Follow Your Intention This Year
This is why I don’t start with rigid plans or quick fixes.
Sustainable gut health, energy, and metabolic change come from aligning intention and taking practical action — not from forcing outcomes.
When those layers come together, change becomes possible.
So as we move into the year ahead, instead of asking:
“What do I want to fix?”
Try asking:
“What am I choosing to move towards?”
Happy New Year!
Nikkie
Your Gut Health Guide
Nikkie Windsor UKIHCA-RHC
Integrated Nutritionist & Breath Coach
Jungle-Trained. Science-Informed.
I help people in their 50s move from gut chaos, low energy, and overwhelm to feeling calm, strong, and confident in their bodies again.
Nikkie Windsor UKIHCA-RHC
Nutritionist, Health Coach & Breathwork Facilitator
Jungle-Trained. Science-Informed.
I help people in their 50s move from gut chaos, low energy, and overwhelm to feeling calm, strong, and confident in their bodies again.
Are You Ready to Change Your Gut Story?
You don’t have to manage this alone. Take the first step to feeling better today.
