Don’t wait for January!

Why Wait Until January? Why October is the Perfect Time to Start Your New Year’s Resolutions

As the end of the year approaches, many of us fall into the habit of putting off our goals, habits, and aspirations until January 1st. We convince ourselves that next year will be the time to make big changes—whether it’s improving our health, saving more money, or chasing that career goal. But here’s the thing: there’s nothing magical about January. In fact, now—in October—is the perfect time to start your New Year’s resolutions.

Here’s why you should kick off your new habits and goals today instead of waiting until January:

1. Start Ahead of the Crowd

January is a busy month for goal-setters. Gyms are packed, new budgets are made, and inboxes are flooded with messages about making this “your best year yet.” But when you start in October, you’re already ahead of the game. While everyone else is just getting started in January, you’ll have already made progress and built momentum.

By the time January comes around, you’ll be weeks into your new habits and have already tackled some of the early hurdles, giving you a significant advantage. Imagine how good it will feel to start the year with a sense of accomplishment rather than just beginning.

2. Turn the Holiday Season into a Test Run

The holiday season is notorious for being a time when routines go out the window. There are more social events, family obligations, and the temptation to overspend, overeat, or take a break from your goals. Starting your New Year’s resolutions in October gives you the chance to test your commitment in real-life, challenging situations.

If you can maintain your new habits during the holiday season, you can handle anything. Plus, by starting now, you won’t be trying to establish new routines during the most chaotic time of year—instead, you’ll be refining them.

3. Establish Habits Before the January Rush

Studies show that it takes about 66 days for a new behaviour to become automatic. By starting in October, you’ll have a solid two months to build these habits into your life before the new year even begins. This means that by January, these changes will already be a normal part of your routine, reducing the pressure of trying to overhaul everything all at once.

Whether it’s a new exercise routine, a savings habit, or a productivity goal, October gives you the perfect runway to lock in those changes before January rolls around.

4. Use the Momentum of a Fresh Season

There’s something energising about the start of a new season. October marks the beginning of spring (in Australia) or autumn (in the northern hemisphere), both of which are times of change and renewal. The changing season can bring a fresh perspective and motivation to kickstart new habits, much like the new year, but without the pressure of January.

Take advantage of the natural energy that comes with a new season to start fresh and make the changes you’ve been thinking about. You can build momentum and create a positive feedback loop that will carry you into the new year with confidence.

5. Avoid the January Burnout

One of the reasons so many New Year’s resolutions fail is because we try to do too much, too soon. We set big, ambitious goals and expect to see immediate results. By the end of January, burnout has often set in, and many of us abandon our resolutions altogether.

Starting now gives you time to ease into your goals. You can test different strategies, figure out what works best for you, and make adjustments without the pressure of the ticking January clock. This measured approach helps you avoid burnout and makes it more likely that you’ll stick with your new habits for the long haul.

6. Give Yourself a Head Start on Your Financial Goals

If your resolutions include financial goals like saving more money, reducing debt, or creating a budget, October is the perfect time to get started. The holiday season is one of the most expensive times of the year, and by starting now, you can create a plan to manage your spending before the big expenses hit. This way, you’ll avoid starting the new year in financial stress and instead begin January with a stronger financial foundation.

Whether you want to save for a big purchase, reduce credit card debt, or start investing, building those habits now gives you a three-month head start before the typical January rush.

7. Build Confidence for the New Year

There’s nothing like seeing progress to boost your confidence. When you start your goals in October, you give yourself the gift of time to see small wins and build your self-belief before the new year even begins. By January, you’ll have more clarity, confidence, and motivation because you’ve already made strides toward your resolutions.

8. No More ‘All or Nothing’ Thinking

One of the traps of waiting until January is the “all or nothing” mindset. We often think we need a fresh start to make changes, which leads to procrastination. Starting in October helps break the cycle of waiting for the “perfect” time, reminding you that there’s no need to wait for a new year, new week, or new day to start making improvements.

Making small, steady changes now allows you to take a more sustainable approach to your goals, focusing on progress rather than perfection.

Conclusion: Why Wait?

There’s no need to wait until January to start making changes and pursuing your goals. By starting now, in October, you’re giving yourself the gift of time, momentum, and a head start on success. Don’t wait for the calendar to flip—start building the habits, goals, and mindset that will carry you into a successful new year today.