How to Make the New Year Your Best Year Yet
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This week’s:
Affirmation: I have the power to create my best year yet, one intentional step at a time.
Quote: You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight – Jim Rohn
Wish: Wishing you and your loved ones Happy Holidays ❤️
How to Make the New Year Your Best Year Yet
The start of a new year is a magical time. While I firmly believe you can start anew at any moment, there’s something uniquely energising about January 1st. It’s a blank page, inviting you to reflect on how far you’ve come and envision where you want to go next.
If you’re ready to make 2025 your best one yet, this post will guide you through concrete steps to set meaningful intentions, take inspired action, and keep your momentum strong throughout the year.
Step 1: Reflect on the Past Year
Before setting intentions for the year ahead, take time to reflect on the year you just lived. What were your highlights? Your challenges? Your growth moments? Grab a notebook and ask yourself:
What am I most proud of from 2024?
What lessons did I learn, even from the hard moments?
What habits, people, or beliefs no longer serve me?
Reflection isn’t about dwelling on the past but about learning from it. By understanding where you’ve been, you can move forward with clarity and purpose.
Step 2: Choose a Word for the Year
One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to guide your year is by choosing a single word to serve as your theme. This word acts as your compass, helping you stay aligned with your intentions no matter what life throws your way.
For me, this year’s word is empowerment. I’m stepping back into my power, embracing my self-worth, and fully owning my capabilities. Your word might be different. It could be growth, courage, balance, freedom, or anything else that resonates with your heart and goals.
To find your word, ask yourself:
How do I want to feel this year?
What’s one value or mindset that will guide my decisions?
Write your word down somewhere you’ll see it daily—on a sticky note, as your phone wallpaper, or in your planner. Let it become your North Star.
Step 3: Create a Vision Board
A vision board is a creative way to turn your dreams into something tangible. When you see your goals and aspirations visually represented, they become more real and inspiring. Plus, it’s a fun activity that allows you to dream big.
Here’s how to make one:
Set the mood. Find a quiet space, play some inspiring music, and gather your supplies (magazines, scissors, glue, a poster board, or use a digital platform like Pinterest).
Identify your goals. Think about the areas of your life you want to focus on—career, health, relationships, personal growth, travel, etc.
Find visuals. Cut out or save images, words, and quotes that represent what you want to manifest in each area.
Arrange your board. Place the images on your board in a way that feels meaningful to you.
Keep it visible. Display your vision board where you’ll see it daily to remind yourself of your dreams.
Step 4: Set SMART Goals
Big dreams are wonderful, but they need structure to become reality. That’s where SMART goals come in. SMART stands for:
Specific: Be clear about what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Define how you’ll track progress.
Achievable: Set goals that challenge you but are realistic.
Relevant: Align your goals with your values and vision.
Time-bound: Give yourself a deadline.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to get healthier this year,” you could say, “I will work out three times a week and cook healthy meals at home five days a week by March 31st.”
Write down your goals, break them into smaller steps, and revisit them regularly. Progress comes from consistent action over time.
Step 5: Align Your Actions with Your Vision
This ties back to last week’s newsletter, where we explored the question: Does this choice support the life I want? It’s a question worth carrying into the new year. Every decision you make—big or small—either moves you closer to or further from the person you want to become.
Here’s how to use this principle in daily life:
Relationships: Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you. Let go of those who drain your energy.
Habits: Choose actions that align with your goals. For example, if your goal is to be more organised, dedicate 10 minutes each day to tidying up.
Mindset: Pay attention to your thoughts. Are they empowering you or holding you back? Replace self-doubt with affirmations like, “I am capable and worthy of success.”
Step 6: Plan for Consistency, Not Perfection
It’s easy to feel motivated in January, but sustaining that energy all year requires a plan. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on consistency—showing up for yourself day after day, even when it’s hard.
Schedule regular check-ins. Set aside time each week or month to review your goals, celebrate wins, and adjust where needed.
Track your progress. Use a journal, habit tracker, or app to log your efforts and see how far you’ve come.
Give yourself grace. Life will throw curveballs. If you stumble, don’t give up. Learn from the experience and keep going.
Step 7: Celebrate Your Wins
Finally, remember to celebrate every victory—big or small. Each step forward is proof that you’re creating the life you envision. Whether completing a workout, finishing a project, or simply showing up for yourself on a tough day, take a moment to acknowledge your effort.
Make 2025 Your Breakthrough Year
The new year isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s an opportunity to become the person you’ve always dreamed of being. By reflecting on your journey, choosing a word to guide you, creating a vision board, setting SMART goals, and aligning your actions with your vision, you’re laying the foundation for incredible growth.
This year can be your breakthrough year—not because of luck or circumstance, but because of your commitment to yourself. You have the power to create a life you’re excited to wake up to, one choice at a time.
ICYMI
Fashion
Matthieu Blazy succeeds Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard as artistic director at Chanel. (BoF)
Skims co-founder Jens Grede addresses those IPO rumors. (TechCrunch)
Vera Wang brand acquired by fashion holding company WHP Global. (BoF)
Beauty
Social media
Threads now has 100M daily active users. (TechCrunch)
Snapchat introduces a unified monetization program for creators. (TechCrunch)
VC and Tech
Temu is the most-downloaded app on the US App Store in 2024. (TechCrunch)
Arlan Hamilton announces changes at Backstage Capital, will step into an advisory role. (TechCrunch)
Stephen Curry’s Penny Jar Capital files to raise a Fund II. (TechCrunch)
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