Without feeling guilty
It sounds like such a cliché, but as we approach the start of the new year, many people are setting resolutions, reflecting on what’s worked and what hasn’t, determined to start fresh with clarity and motivation.
I worked as a fitness professional for 15 years, and I watched this pattern repeat every January: people would set ambitious goals, go all in for a few weeks, then fall short. But it wasn’t just that they didn’t hit the goal – they would shame spiral, feel like failures, and end up doing nothing. The all-or-nothing approach left them with…well, nothing.
What if this year you chose to simplify? To do less?
Here’s how I’m doing it in three key areas of my life.
💪COACH’S CUE #1: Lock In One Thing
This year was challenging for me, both personally and professionally. I went through major life events that shook everything, including losing my mom. And here’s something I noticed about my business: every time I finally get clarity on what I’m doing, I realize I’ve gotten there backwards.
I went through a rebrand over the summer. I thought I had it all figured out – my offers, structure, pricing. Except I didn’t. Either I wasn’t strong enough in my conviction, there wasn’t enough demand, or maybe it was a combination of those things plus a bazillion other factors completely out of my control.
So I revised and revised again and again.
Going into 2026, I’m making this commitment: I’m locking in my offers and pricing based on what I’ve learned, the feedback I’ve gotten, and this commitment to simplicity. And then that’s it. I’m done tinkering.
Your turn:
- Choose one thing in your business or work life to commit to for the entire year – your service offerings, your pricing, your schedule, whatever feels most chaotic right now
- Write it down and set the boundary
- Give yourself permission to stop revising it
Simplicity requires commitment too.
💪COACH’S CUE #2: Protect What Fills Your Cup
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that some social activities energize me and others completely drain me. I’m in my mid-40s with a four-year-old daughter, a husband, a new business, and friends across different social circles. The reality is, I simply cannot keep up and maintain my energy for the things that matter most.
Central Park is full of health-minded people, neighbors training for marathons, friends meeting for walks around the park, coffee dates and playdates at The Stanley. It’s easy to feel like you should say yes to everything. But the friendships that truly matter don’t need constant time and effort.
As I was writing this section, I got a text from a college roommate checking in on me. She knows my mom died this year and reached out to say she was thinking of me over the holidays. This is a friend I talk to maybe every six months. And you know what? That’s enough.
Your turn:
- Make two lists: List one – the people and social activities that genuinely fill your cup. List two – the obligations that drain you but you keep saying yes to out of guilt
- In 2026, protect list one fiercely
- Give yourself permission to say no to list two – or at least a few things on it
A simple “I’m simplifying my commitments this year, but thank you for thinking of me” is enough.
💪COACH’S CUE #3: Define Your Enough
A few weeks ago, I shared my workout schedule in my newsletter. Simple: three days of strength training, four days of walking and running, some mobility work. Nothing fancy. When I was in my CrossFit era, I would have looked at that schedule and gotten really down on myself. Not enough volume. No heavy lifts. Too simple.
But now? I’m staying strong. I can still do weighted pull-ups (I’ll call that a win). I can play with my daughter without needing a nap (though to be clear, naps are wonderful). I can maintain a consistent schedule that doesn’t leave me depleted.
Your turn:
- Define what enough looks like for you right now – not past you, not future you, not social media you, not “keeping up with my neighbors” you
- Write down what would allow you to maintain your health, feel good in your body, and still have energy for everything else in your life
- When you catch yourself in comparison mode, come back to your baseline
Because enough is enough.
Simplicity isn’t about doing less because you’re giving up or not trying hard enough. It’s about doing less so you can show up better for what actually matters.
This year, I’m choosing simple. And that feels like a huge relief.
You should give it a try.
Join Us for Stronger Together
Speaking of choosing simple and showing up for what matters – if you’re a female founder looking for community, accountability, and support without the overwhelm, join us for the next Stronger Together session. We meet to work through the challenges of building a business while staying grounded in what’s sustainable for our lives, our energy, and our nervous systems.
Next Gathering: Jan 27th, 9:30-10:30am at FlyteCO
Grab your spot here: https://coaching.leslieboyce.com/stronger-together
