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As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reset, and set the tone for a year of growth and fulfillment. The new year brings opportunities to refine our habits, chase meaningful goals, and create memories that will last a lifetime. But success doesn’t happen by chance—it’s shaped by the choices we make every day. In this post, we’ll explore three key “do’s” to help you thrive in 2025, along with three “don’ts” to avoid common pitfalls. Let’s make this your best year yet!
Do: Set Goals
Starting the year with clear, actionable goals gives you direction and purpose. Without goals, it’s easy to drift through your days without making meaningful progress in your health, career, or personal growth. I love this Mark Twain quote:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Set a goal for this year! (or even start with the first 90 days!) Whether it’s as small as drinking more water daily or as big as completing a marathon, writing your goals down and revisiting them regularly will turn your thoughts or dreams into achievements. Don’t shy away from dreaming big—it’s the first step toward a fulfilling 2025.
Don’t: Try to Do It by Yourself
Achieving goals is rarely a solo effort. (And if the goal is big enough, you won’t be able to achieve it yourself) Whether it’s a supportive friend, a coach, or mentor, having a support system makes all the difference. Accountability partners help keep you on track, provide encouragement when motivation dips, and celebrate milestones with you. Trying to go it alone often leads to burnout or discouragement when challenges arise. Remember, there’s strength in numbers, and the right people around you can help transform obstacles into opportunities.
Do: Change One Habit at a Time
Big change starts with small, consistent actions. When you try to overhaul your entire routine at once, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and give up. Instead, focus on one habit at a time. Maybe you commit to drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning or going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night. Once that habit feels natural, move on to the next. By stacking small wins, you build momentum and create sustainable changes that stick long after 2025 is over. What’s the one thing you could focus on for the next 90 days that will have the greatest impact on your health and fitness?
Don’t: Approach Change as Behavior Modification
True transformation isn’t about forcing yourself into a new routine out of obligation or guilt. When people approach change as mere “behavior modification,” they’re treating the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause. This mindset often leads to burnout or reverting to old habits because it lacks a deeper purpose.
"True behavior change is identity change. When your behavior and identity are fully aligned, you are no longer pursuing change. You are simply acting like the type of person you already believe yourself to be." -- James Clear
Focus on the bigger motivation behind your goals— who you are, who you want to be, and why it’s important, and build habits that align with your values. When change comes from a place of meaning, it becomes a lifestyle rather than a temporary fix.
Do: One Big Thing—Something to Remember 2025 By
Make 2025 unforgettable by intentionally pursuing one big thing that excites or challenges you. Whether it’s planning an epic adventure, accomplishing a significant goal, or taking that dream vacation, choose something meaningful and make it happen. These big moments don’t just create memories—they give your year purpose and direction. Be intentional with your energy and prioritize this “big rock” so that when you look back on 2025, you’ll remember it for more than just the daily grind.
Don’t: Be Too Busy with the Day-to-Day
It’s easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day tasks that weeks, months, and even years blend into one another. Don’t let the “sand” of everyday life—emails, errands, and to-do lists—consume all your time. Use the analogy of “rocks, pebbles, and sand,” where the rocks represent your main priorities, the pebbles are important but less critical tasks, and the sand is everything else. If you fill your schedule with sand first, there’s no room for the rocks. Make time for what truly matters by putting the big rocks in your calendar first, and let the smaller things fit around them. This year, create a rhythm of prioritizing and scheduling the most important things in your life every week, month, and quarter.
2025 has the potential to be your most fulfilling year yet, but it all starts with intentionality. By setting meaningful goals, focusing on one habit at a time, and prioritizing what truly matters, you can create a year full of growth, purpose, and unforgettable memories. Avoid getting lost in the daily grind or taking on too much at once—stay grounded in your “big rocks” and let the small stuff fall into place. Remember, success isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Here’s to making 2025 a year to remember!
