Courage Over Perfection: Redefining Accountability This New Year

January often arrives with a long list of resolutions and a quiet pressure to reinvent ourselves. We promise to be more disciplined, more organised, more productive. Yet most people abandon their goals within weeks, not because they lack commitment, but because they are afraid to fail.

Over the past year I have noticed a deeper pattern emerging. Many of us are carrying a fear of accountability. We hesitate to admit mistakes, avoid difficult conversations, or hold back from trying something new. The reason is simple. We no longer feel safe to be imperfect.

Psychological safety is the foundation of genuine behaviour change. In coaching, it describes an environment where you can take risks, acknowledge missteps, and express your truth without fear of judgement. In Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychological safety grows when we stop fighting uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, allow them to exist, and still choose actions that align with our values.

Without that safety, goals become another source of pressure. We chase perfection instead of progress. We punish ourselves for slipping rather than learning. We stop before we have even started because the cost of getting it wrong feels too high.

This year, I invite you to try a different approach. Instead of forcing a rigid list of resolutions, begin with courage. Courage to feel uncomfortable. Courage to try again. Courage to be human.

Here are three ways to build that courage into your goal setting for 2026.

Create a psychologically safe space for yourself

Before setting any goal, ground your nervous system. A few slow breaths, a gentle stretch, or a quiet moment can shift you out of self-criticism and into clarity. Remind yourself that you are allowed to learn, experiment, and grow at your own pace. Surround yourself with people who empower you and create a safe container for you to receive support while you navigate change. Change is hard and it is never linear. It is only through mistakes that we learn.

Use micro-steps instead of extreme goals

Big promises often trigger overwhelm. Choose one behaviour that feels achievable today. A short walk, one nourishing meal, a five minute break, a single boundary. Small actions create self-trust and help you build momentum without fear of failure. As Bill Gates famously said, we often overestimate what we can do in a short time and underestimate what we can achieve in the long term. This mindset shift can completely transform the way you approach change.

Make room for mistakes

In ACT, willingness is the heart of change. You allow the discomfort of starting again and still move toward your values. When you slip, simply acknowledge it, take a breath, and return to your next tiny step. No drama, no shame. Just a continued commitment to what matters.

You do not need perfection to create a healthier year. You need safety, compassion, and a willingness to keep showing up. This is how real transformation happens. Not through force, but through courage.

If you want support creating a realistic and compassionate plan for 2026 that aligns with your values and your wellbeing, you are welcome to get in touch. I would love to help you build a year that supports your healing, your confidence, and your energy.

Book here: katherinefroggatt.co.nz/claritycall