The new year often inspires us to set ambitious goals, but let’s be honest: keeping those resolutions can feel overwhelming. Instead of chasing perfection, what if we approached our goals with the patience and curiosity of Grogu—better known to many as "Baby Yoda," the beloved character from the Star Wars series The Mandalorian? Whether you’re a fan of the galaxy far, far away or just love the idea of a wise, determined little being, Grogu’s journey offers lessons for us all. His journey reminds us that meaningful growth takes time, setbacks are inevitable, and small, consistent steps lead to big results.
Here’s how you can apply the “Grogu Method” to achieve your new year’s resolutions…
Growth Takes Time: The Lesson of Patience
In The Mandalorian, Grogu doesn’t master the Force overnight. His training is slow, filled with moments of success and plenty of setbacks. Yet, despite his struggles, he continues to grow stronger over time. This is a powerful reminder for all of us: progress is rarely linear.
Many of us start the year with a “go big or go home” mindset, setting lofty goals that feel urgent. But meaningful change doesn’t happen in an instant. Just like Grogu’s journey, your path to success will likely include detours, pauses, and even some space-frog snacking moments. And that’s okay. The key is to keep moving forward, no matter how small the steps may seem.
Start Small, Stay Curious, and Celebrate the Little Wins
Grogu doesn’t try to lift an entire starship on his first attempt. Instead, he practices with rocks, small objects, and manageable challenges. His curiosity and willingness to focus on what he can do make his journey inspiring. We can apply this lesson by setting smaller, actionable goals for ourselves. For example, if your goal is to save money, try cutting back on one unnecessary expense each week, or if you want to learn something new, perhaps dedicate just 15 minutes a day to practice. All these small efforts add up over time.
What’s more, when Grogu successfully uses the Force—even for small tasks—it’s treated as a big deal by those around him. This is a valuable reminder: small victories matter and deserve recognition. Consider tracking your achievements in a journal or rewarding yourself when you hit milestones. These celebrations don’t have to be extravagant—sometimes a simple acknowledgment of your effort is enough to keep you going.
Learn from Setbacks
Grogu’s journey isn’t without its challenges. Sometimes he gets distracted, loses focus, or simply isn’t ready to tackle a task. But those moments of failure don’t define him. He learns, adjusts, and tries again.
When pursuing your resolutions, you’ll face setbacks too. Instead of beating yourself up, approach these moments with curiosity. Ask yourself: What can I learn from this? What can I do differently next time? What support do I need?
By reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth, you’ll stay resilient and motivated. Remember, progress isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up and trying again.
Balance Effort with Joy
Grogu’s life isn’t all about training. He takes time to play and enjoy simple moments with his protector, Din Djarin. This balance is a great reminder for us: as you work toward your goals, don’t forget to find joy in the journey. Choose activities you genuinely enjoy.
For example, if you’re working on fitness, why not explore activities that get you moving and bring you joy and help you relax, like yoga, hiking, or a fun dance class. Or if you’re looking to reduce your social media scrolling, why not set aside a “digital-free” window daily and use this time to recharge—whether it’s reading that book you’ve been meaning to read forever, taking a walk, having a call with a friend, or playing a favourite board game with loved ones. This ensures that your resolutions feel fulfilling, not overwhelming.
Trust the Process
At its core, Grogu’s story is about trusting that small steps lead to big transformations. Every moment he spends practicing, learning, or even resting contributes to his overall growth. The same is true for us.
Even if your progress feels slow or invisible, trust that your efforts are making a difference. Change often happens gradually, and the results may take time to show. But with patience and persistence, you’ll get there.
Just like Grogu, we don’t need to have everything figured out all at once. With time, effort, and a little patience, we can achieve great things—one small step at a time. So, as you tackle your goals in 2024, ask yourself: What would Grogu do? Then follow his example, and trust that the Force is with you.
A self-described geek, Maria Laquerre-Diego is a CEO and Owner who is committed to increasing access to mental health services and breaking down the stigma surrounding therapy services. As a therapist turned CEO, Maria has developed a unique perspective when it comes to mental health and the barriers surrounding mental health treatment. Influenced by her time at New Mexico State University in the Family and Consumer Science department, and University of New Hampshire’s Marriage and Family Therapy department, Maria has turned her dedication to giving back and supporting future generations of therapists. In addition to supporting mental health providers, Maria takes an active role in addressing the continued stigma of mental health services through the use of pop culture – everything from movies and television shows to superheroes and Disney characters. Maria has spoken about mental health at several local events, has served as an officer on professional boards and has provided training to clinicians all over the country while maintaining her and her family’s roots as Aggies! Outside of the office, Maria can be found spending time with her family and loved ones, exploring the world through travel, and creating cosplays for herself, her husband and their two little ones. Maria is always happy to talk about Star Wars, Marvel and mental health and can be contacted through her practice website www.anewhopetc.org
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