Don’t let Quitter’s Day derail your compliance goals

It’s that time of year again—Quitter’s Day. The day when the gym empties, the planners gather dust, and the excitement of new beginnings starts to fizzle out. That’s right; we’ve made it past the second Friday in January when most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions, so if you’re feeling over 2025 already, you’re not alone.

Now, I’ll admit, I’ve had my fair share of abandoned resolutions—like that year I swore I’d learn Italian but only made it as far as memorizing how to order gelato. (Important, but hardly fluent!) Resolutions are hard because they often require sustained energy, focus, and action long after the initial enthusiasm fades.

Sound familiar? As compliance professionals, we’re no strangers to this challenge. At the start of the year, we might set ambitious goals: revamping training programs, enhancing reporting mechanisms, or strengthening risk assessments. But somewhere between January and March, our inboxes fill up, competing priorities emerge, and those resolutions can quietly slip away.

Here’s the thing: in our line of work, quitting isn’t just a personal disappointment—it can have real consequences for the business, the employees, and even our own credibility. So how can we beat the Quitter’s Day slump? By reconnecting with the why behind our work and taking actionable steps to stay engaged.

Get out from behind your desk

One of the most effective ways to reignite your motivation is to leave your desk. Seriously. Shut the laptop, grab your notebook, and head out to the factory floor, the call center, or wherever your business actually operates. Talk to employees. Ask them about their challenges and their wins. Listen to their stories.

For those working remotely or in a hybrid setup, this still applies. Schedule a video call or hop on a phone call with employees in different roles and locations. Join virtual team meetings or host informal coffee chats over Zoom. The goal is to connect authentically and understand the day-to-day realities of your colleagues, no matter where they are.

When we step out of the compliance bubble, we gain invaluable insights into how policies, procedures, and training are actually being used. That’s when compliance stops feeling like a theoretical exercise and starts becoming something real and impactful. Plus, those conversations can often spark ideas for improvements that you’d never come up with while sitting at your desk.

Talk with employees at all levels

One of my favorite parts of the job is hearing from employees at all levels of the business. Frontline workers, managers, new hires, and veterans—everyone has a unique perspective.

For example, you might discover that a seasoned employee has developed a clever workaround to an overly complex policy (a potential risk, but also a learning opportunity). Or maybe a new hire shares that they’re confused by the training materials—an easy fix you wouldn’t have caught otherwise.

These conversations not only help us understand the practical realities of compliance but also build trust. When employees see that we care about their experiences and value their input, they’re more likely to view compliance as a partnership, not a policing function.

Understand the business at a tactical Level

Let’s be honest: compliance can sometimes feel like it’s a step removed from the day-to-day operations of the business. But to be truly effective, we need to understand what the business does at a tactical level.

Do you know how your products are made or your services are delivered? Can you explain the biggest challenges your sales team faces or the risks your logistics team manages? When you take the time to learn these details, you’re better equipped to craft policies, controls, and training that are practical, relevant, and aligned with the business’s needs.

It’s OK to reset

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’ve already fallen behind on my compliance goals,” don’t worry. Quitter’s Day doesn’t have to be the end. It’s just a reminder to pause, reflect, and reset.

Start small. Choose one goal you’re passionate about and take one concrete step toward it. Schedule a walk-and-talk with a department you’ve been meaning to connect with. Spend an hour shadowing a team to learn more about their daily tasks. Revisit a training program with fresh eyes and ask yourself, “How can this better serve our employees?”

Remember your why

At the end of the day, compliance isn’t about checking boxes or avoiding penalties. It’s about creating an ethical, transparent, and supportive environment where everyone can thrive. It’s about protecting the business and its people—and that’s work worth showing up for, even on the toughest days.

So, let’s make a pact: no more quitting. Let’s recommit to our goals, connect with our people, and keep moving forward. Together, we’ll turn those resolutions into lasting impact.