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How are you starting your year off? A new year often comes with bold proclamations: New Year, New You. And while it sounds exciting – who wouldn’t want to step into the new year as a more refined version of themselves? I invite you to pause and ask yourself:
Do I really need a new version of me?
Think about it. You are where you are today because of the strengths you already possess, the relationships you’ve built, and the challenges you’ve overcome. Instead of striving for reinvention, what if we focused on owning the version of ourselves that got us here – while intentionally driving toward what’s next?
This year, let’s reframe the narrative.
Instead of chasing a “new you,” ask yourself: What’s the one thing that could drive the biggest transformation for me this year?
This is your opportunity to take the driver’s seat – to set the direction, press the gas, and make intentional decisions about where to focus your energy. As I shared in Spend Your Energy Where You’ll Get a Return, life is your fault, which means this is your moment to embrace the power of choice.
Let’s step into You 2.0, the intentional version of yourself who asks:
- How do I want to show up?
- What do I want to accomplish?
- What do I want to be known for?
Reflect on the past year.
Take a moment to celebrate the wins – big and small – that made 2024 uniquely yours. These moments are proof of your resilience and growth.
If you were standing on a podium receiving a medal for your accomplishments, what would you be most proud to share?
What wins did you accomplish?
- Did you lead your team through a challenging project?
- Prioritize your mental health?
- Finally read that book or learn that recipe?
What could you have done differently?
Recognizing areas for growth is just as important. What are the things you didn’t complete or avoided because they felt too hard?
- Did you kick a project or tough conversation “down the road?”
- Miss an opportunity to speak up or take action?
- Overlook a personal goal or relationship that deserved more attention?
This isn’t about dwelling – it’s about learning. By acknowledging these moments, you can decide what’s worth prioritizing in the year ahead.
Set your intentions for the new year.
From your reflections, ask yourself:
- What’s one thing you’ll carry forward into 2025?
- What’s one thing you’ll focus on to get closer to your goals?
Here’s where the rubber meets the road: focus. It’s been proven that trying to juggle too many priorities decreases the likelihood of success. This is why I challenge my coaching clients – and now you – to choose the one thing that matters most.
There is power in looking forward.
Imagine sitting in a car. The windshield is massive, showing where you’re going, while the rearview mirror is small, offering only a glimpse of where you’ve been. That design isn’t an accident – your focus should always be forward.
The windshield is multiple times larger than the rearview mirror for a reason. While it’s important to glance back at where you’ve been, your focus must stay on where you’re going. Progress comes when we look ahead with clarity and intention.
Remember as you step into 2025:
- You are in the driver’s seat.
- This is your chance to choose your direction and steer intentionally.
Ask yourself:
There are some questions only you can answer. Will you choose to focus your energy where you’ll get the greatest return?
- What’s propelling me forward?
- What should stay in the rearview mirror?
Let’s keep talking.
What’s your one thing for 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments and revisit Spend Your Energy Where You’ll Get a Return for more inspiration. Together, we can make 2025 the year of intentional growth.
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ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Need help reflecting?
Embrace the opportunity to explore your Birkman Report and delve into the ‘Your Strengths’ Insights page for inspiration on your unique superpowers. Let this guide your reflection on your achievements and areas to nurture as you embark on the new year.
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