By Phil Macleod – hypnotherapist, mindset expert and founder of Thought Reader.
Every January, many of us set out with good intentions and even make one or more New Year’s resolutions — the most common include exercising more, eating better, saving money, or finally making that lifestyle change we’ve been postponing.
In the beginning, everything feels exciting — you’ve got the energy and the motivation but once the buzz goes and real life kicks back in, it can be hard to keep the momentum going.
To understand why many New Year’s resolutions don’t make it past the talking stage -the truth is motivation alone is rarely enough to sustain lasting change.
Mindset is what really makes all the difference — and if it can be mastered, setbacks only become minor bumps in the road rather than road blocks, and your goals can feel much more achievable and even rewarding.
Why motivation isn’t enough
Think of motivation like a scented candle. When first lit, the flame looks strong and bright, the scent fills the room, and you can feel like you are on the winning path. But eventually the flame flickers and dies, leaving only the memory of what was. Motivation works in exactly the same way: it starts as a spark, but the demands of daily life, deadlines, stresses, and admin can cause motivation to wane.
This is where mindset takes over. In practices like hypnotherapy and mindset techniques, people learn to train your unconscious mind to stay on track with your goals, even when daily pressures start to mount at the year gets into full swing – your mindset is the compass that helps you re-centre, reset, and restart when motivation wobbles.
Building a mindset for success
The good news is that developing a strong mindset doesn’t require complicated tools if you know what to do and look out for. With small, consistent practices and techniques you can train your brain can make a big difference.
1. Set realistic, achievable goals
Start with small wins to build momentum. For example, instead of declaring “I will save £500 instantly,” break it into manageable steps. You can always set more demanding goals later. When you do, those little wins will give you a dopamine hit which will boost feelings of euphoria as it acts as a natural motivational neurotransmitter.
2. Make your goals visible
Write them down where you’ll see them every day. For example: put a post-it note on the fridge “Save £500 for the best holiday ever.” Then, underneath, list practical steps such as:
- Save an extra penny a day (by August, this adds up to over £220).
- Skip one drink a week (saving around £100 in 30 weeks).
- Use cash back schemes and put the savings into your holiday pot (saving around £200).
This approach makes progress visible and keeps your mindset focused on the bigger picture.
3. Reframe setbacks as learning
Missing a target doesn’t mean failure. Instead of giving up, ask: what can I refine? How can I adjust? Every slip-up is just a chance to learn, not a reason to stop or feel failure. Even when you are celebrating your wins there is nothing wrong with asking yourself ‘How can I do this better next time.’ Sometimes the answer is ‘I can’t, it was perfect’ and that’s ok too.
4. Build accountability
Share your goals with friends, family, or a trusted network. Their encouragement will help when motivation dips. Accountability partners also help keep you realistic and grounded.
5. Practise self-compassion
Perhaps the most powerful mindset shift of all is learning to love and forgive yourself. When a friend struggles, you’d put an arm around them and lift them up — so why not offer yourself the same kindness? Your inner voice should support and encourage you, not criticise every step.
Celebrate your wins
Celebrate every success — large or small. Be proud of your achievements, enjoy what you do well, and let that pride fuel the next step forward.
Putting this into perspective
The planet has over eight billion people, but only one you. Even identical twins are unique in many ways. Embrace that uniqueness. Smile more, love more, and celebrate yourself. That simple act of self-acceptance is often the biggest mindset reset of all — and the key to achieving anything you set out to do.
About the expert
Phil Macleod — founder of Thought Reader — is a UK-based hypnotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping people unlock their potential and feel their best. With a background in mind reading, magic, and hypnosis, Phil’s friendly, down-to-earth style makes people feel comfortable and consistently delivers real results. His journey began in London’s bars and clubs, performing close-up magic, until a friend introduced him to hypnosis. He was instantly curious and drawn in — inspired by Anthony Jacquin’s Reality is Plastic — and he hasn’t looked back since. His popular treatments include everything from anxiety to quitting smoking or vaping, to weight control, achieved naturally rather than relying on Ozempic or Mounjaro, as well as phobias, chronic pain, and workplace stress. Outside of his core work as a hypnotherapist, Phil also enjoys bringing a bit of fun and magic to events — mixing comedy, mind reading, and hypnosis to create experiences that put people at the heart of the show. It’s all about making people smile, think, and feel good. For Phil, it’s all part of helping people feel better, lighter, and more confident in themselves.
