January is the best time of year for gym owners. You all come.

"January is the best time of year for gym owners. You all come. It's great! And then, by Valentine's Day, you're not coming in anymore." These words, spoken by David Kirsch, shine a bright light on the fleeting nature of resolve and the ephemeral nature of many of our commitments. Kirsch speaks not just to gym owners, but to the universal human experience of beginning a journey with great enthusiasm and determination, only to find that the path becomes more difficult as time passes. In this quote, we are reminded that the initial burst of motivation, often ignited by the turning of the year, can quickly fade, and the challenge is not in starting, but in sustaining the effort.

In the ancient world, the Romans and Greeks understood the importance of discipline and commitment. Their societies were built on the strength of warriors and athletes, who trained year-round in the pursuit of honor and excellence. Yet, even among them, there was a recognition that true greatness did not lie in the flashes of brilliance or short-lived triumphs, but in the ability to endure, to keep showing up every day, even when the excitement waned. The greatest champions of ancient times, from Hercules to Alexander, were not those who began with a bang, but those who understood the daily sacrifices that greatness required.

Kirsch’s words reflect a truth as old as the ancient heroes: initial zeal often falters when the work becomes routine. The New Year’s resolutions that flood the gyms each January are akin to the promises made by warriors at the dawn of a great battle—ambitious, filled with passion, but often unsustainable without the deeper fortitude to continue. The Greeks, who valued physical prowess and discipline, often spoke of the Olympics not as an event of occasional grandeur, but as the culmination of years of relentless training. For them, the strength of the warrior was not in his first leap, but in his ability to return to the training ground day after day.

In more modern times, the struggle Kirsch speaks of is one we all can relate to. Think of the countless men and women who enter the New Year with the resolve to change—to embrace health, to pursue fitness, to shed old habits. Like the warriors of old, they step into battle with the hope that this year will be different, that they will push through the challenges of work, family, and life. But by Valentine’s Day, many find that the gym is no longer part of their routine. The dedication that began with hope and excitement has been drowned in the flood of everyday distractions. The lesson here is clear: beginning is easy, but perseverance requires a deeper understanding of what it means to truly commit.

Consider the journey of Leonidas, the legendary king of Sparta, and his 300 warriors at the Battle of Thermopylae. They knew, from the moment they stepped into battle, that they would not be returning. Theirs was a fight not for personal gain, but for the future of their people, the preservation of their way of life. And yet, despite the certainty of death, they fought with unparalleled determination. Their resolve did not fade because it was rooted in something deeper than temporary motivation—it was anchored in their honor, their duty, and their unwavering commitment to the cause. This is the kind of perseverance we must learn to embody in all our pursuits.

The lesson of Kirsch's words is that we must learn to value consistency over fleeting bursts of enthusiasm. It is not the grand resolutions or the excited start of a journey that shapes our fate, but the quiet, uncelebrated moments of persistence when the energy has waned. Just as the great heroes of antiquity were known not for their victories in a single battle, but for their commitment to their cause, so too must we value the daily commitment to our goals—whether those goals are health, learning, or any other aspect of life.

To make this lesson real in your own life, consider your own resolutions. How many times have you set out with vigor, only to find your enthusiasm fading as the months pass? Sustainability is the key to long-term success. Focus on creating habits that are not bound to the highs of motivation, but to the simple, everyday steps that form the foundation of enduring success. Set smaller, more attainable goals, and focus on the discipline of doing them daily, no matter the excitement or the circumstances.

In the end, Kirsch’s words remind us that the true battle is not won in the start of a journey, but in the quiet moments of persistence that follow. Like the ancient warriors, we must learn to return to our training day after day, even when the excitement fades, knowing that victory is not in a single effort, but in the continual commitment to the path we choose.