Making the Choice to Change: Why It’s So Damn Hard & How to Own 2025
Alright, dads, let’s cut to the chase. How many times have you promised yourself that this would be the year things change? How many New Year's resolutions have fallen flat by February? And yet, here we are again—stuck in the same spot, making the same excuses, waiting for things to magically improve. Newsflash: change isn’t going to happen until you stop waiting and start acting. You’re not just up against bad habits, you’re battling your brain, societal expectations, and even your own family.
Why Change Feels Like an Impossible Task:
Your Brain Is Wired for Comfort: Change is hard because your brain is designed to keep you safe—and safe means staying in your comfort zone. It’s the reason why the idea of changing your diet, starting a new business, or overhauling your fitness feels like climbing Mount Everest. Your brain would rather you sit back, relax, and stick with what it knows, even if it’s making you miserable.
Tall Poppy Syndrome: Here’s the harsh truth: standing out and trying to improve can make you a target. Whether it’s your mates giving you grief or your own family side-eyeing your ambition, the Tall Poppy Syndrome is real in Australia and New Zealand. If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “don’t get ahead of yourself, mate,” then you know what I’m talking about. But here’s the thing: you can’t let small-minded thinking keep you small. If you want more for yourself, you’ve got to be willing to rise above the noise.
The Family Pressure to 'Keep It the Same': The people closest to you might love you, but they can also be the biggest hurdle. Ever notice how family can be quick to shut down your ideas for change? Whether it's a new career path or starting testosterone optimization, they’ll say things like, “Why rock the boat?” or “You’ve got it good, don’t mess with it.” The reality? Their comfort zone is where you stay stuck. You don’t need their permission to grow—just your own commitment to doing the work.
2025 Is Right Around the Corner—Why Wait?
Here’s the kicker: you don’t need to wait until January 1st to start. The idea that the New Year will magically give you the discipline and motivation you’ve been lacking? It's a lie. 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. If you want real, sustainable change, you have to build momentum before the year even begins. Start now, and when 2025 rolls around, you’ll already be ahead of the pack.
How to Make Change Stick This Time:
Set Concrete Goals: Vague goals lead to vague results. Want to improve your health? Cool. But instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” try: “I want to drop 10kg by March 1st.” Want more freedom? How about building a business that allows you to quit your 9-5? (Hint: Dads vs Burnout can help with that.)
Create Your Own Support System: Look, if your family or mates are dragging you down, it’s time to find a community that lifts you up. Surround yourself with people who are striving for more—whether that’s in health, wealth, or overall happiness. At Dads vs Burnout, we offer coaching and support services tailored to dads ready to break the cycle of burnout.
Take the Long Game Approach: Change doesn’t happen overnight. Whether it’s your health, stress levels, or building a new business, you’ve got to commit to the process. Sure, quick fixes sound great, but the real wins come from consistent, long-term effort. If you’re serious about your health, check out our Testosterone Optimization Service or Men’s Stress and Wellness Coaching to get on the right track.
Don’t Wait for Validation: You might be waiting for your family to give you the green light or for society to tell you it’s okay to aim higher. Spoiler alert: that’s not going to happen. You’ve got to stop giving a damn about what others think and make decisions that serve you and your future.
Final Thoughts:
Let’s face it: change isn’t easy. It’s messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright terrifying. But the alternative? Staying stuck in the same place, year after year, wondering why nothing ever gets better. Whether you want to improve your health, start a new business, or finally tackle your mental well-being, the power to change is in your hands. Don’t wait for 2025 to magically fix everything. Start now, commit to the process, and by the time the New Year hits, you’ll be miles ahead of where you are now.