An idea (focused progress)
I hope this finds you well as we kick off 2025.
I'm a big fan of using the new year to dream, refresh my vision, and set specific goals for the year.
I've found people get off track with planning their new year in two ways:
- They underestimate what can be accomplished in a year; or
- They overestimate how much change can happen at once and end up getting discouraged that they can't do it all.
Let's discuss these and how they might impact your planning for 2025.
Underestimating what is possible in 52 weeks
I just completed my end of year reflection process, and I was once again amazed at all the progress that can be made in a year. If you'd like to do an end of year review and are not sure where to start, check out the process I use here.
One of my goals for 2024 was to learn how to edit videos. I made this an area of focus, I was really clear on my why for pursuing this skill, and looking back, I'm amazed that in one year I now know how to edit videos.
As is often the case, progress was slow at first and the process of learning a new skill was frustrating. But I was mentally prepared for those challenges and reminded myself this is what growth looks and feels like. It's painful at first, but then slowly momentum builds.
I'm far from an expert at video editing, but it's kind of crazy to me that with one year of focused effort, something that used to seem impossible is now possible.
Be careful not to underestimate how much you can change your life for the better in 365 days.
If you set a clear target now and adopt a growth mindset, you can make real progress.
In December, we can be celebrating how much you accomplished in 2025.
But . . . focus is the key.
Too Many Goals
After reading Atomic Habits by James Clear in 2019, I made this elaborate spreadsheet to start the new year.
It was ridiculous.
At the time, I thought it made sense. I basically listed out every important area of my life (faith, family, fitness, finances, work, fun, growth) and for each area, I created a list of habits I wanted to create and habits I wanted to break.
I downloaded habit tracking apps, and I committed to logging them in my Google Doc each day to track progress.
I knew that checking them off each day would give me the reward I needed to keep going.
As you can imagine, this didn't last.
It was just too much.
I had good intentions, but my plan was flawed.
I tried to do too much all at once and this created an impossible standard to maintain.
As a result, I missed a day, then another day, then I started to get discouraged, lost momentum, and I eventually abandoned the entire plan.
This is what it looks like to set too many goals or habits for the year.
Because the brain doesn't do a great job of processing more than 3 things at a time, I've decided in 2025 to have one word for the year and three very specific goals.
1 word.
3 goals.
It's simple and possible.
Does this mean I will only accomplish 3 things this year?
I don't think so (and I'll be sure to update you at the end of 2025).
I think it will focus me and create a powerful flywheel of momentum.
If you had to pick one word to focus you for this year, what would it be?
And if you were forced to narrow your goals down to 3, what would they be?
Embrace the incredible possibilities of progress you can make in 2025.
And fight the urge to try to do it all at once.
Narrow your focus and watch the momentum build.
It will be slow at first, but don't stop. Push through the resistance. Anticipate it.
I'm rooting for you.
I'm excited for how we can grow together this year. |
