It is time to pause and reset because we’ll enter a brand-new year in just a day or two. How did you do with your 2024 goals? Take a moment to think about the ones you achieved and the ones you didn’t. Celebrate the wins, no matter how small. As for the goals you didn’t reach, let’s not waste time with regrets. Instead, be thankful for the gift of time because you get to try again in 2025. Also, don’t be afraid to keep the same goals on your list for 2025 because this new year may be the appointed time for you to accomplish those goals.
Time to pause and reset: Acknowledge the past and let it go
Maybe your waistline is expanding, your HbA1C is creeping up, or your blood pressure is higher than it should be. Perhaps you’ve noticed new wrinkles or felt the weight of the passing year in other ways. Guess what? That’s okay, too. The little things we do—taking a walk, swapping out soda for water, or squeezing in a 10-minute workout—add up over time. These small steps matter. Plus, life isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about living and enjoying every moment. Also, on the plus side, you’re alive, breathing, and surrounded by loved ones. You can laugh at yourself and keep moving forward. Best of all, you can start again.
Carry forward old goals and add new ones
First, let go of any discouragement from unmet goals. Remember, failure is not final; it’s feedback. It teaches us what works, what doesn’t, and how to adapt. The beauty of entering 2025 is that you can carry forward old goals that still matter to you and create new ones.
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” (Proverbs 24:16, NIV).
Learn and grow from 2024’s challenges. No matter how many times you fell short of your goals in 2024, you can rise and move forward in 2025.
What is your vision for 2025?
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2, ESV).
Having a clear vision for your life is essential. Take some time to dream about what 2025 could look like in every area of your life. Where do you want to see growth? Think about what really matters to you. You may use a vision board to set clear and visible goals for the New Year. For more on vision boards, check out “What is on Your Vision Board for the New Year?”
Here are some areas to consider setting goals for 2025.
1. Health and Wellness Goals – E.g., eating healthier and becoming more physically active.
2. Spiritual Growth – E.g., praying and studying scriptures more frequently.
3. Career and Business Goals – E.g., working towards that promotion or starting a new career or business.
4. Relationships – E.g., restoring and nurturing old relationships and starting new ones.
5. Personal Development – E.g., learning a new skill and picking up a hobby.
Remember to set SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For more on how to set SMART goals, especially at the beginning of the New Year, check out “Time to Reset.“ Also, remind yourself that progress is more important than perfection. There will be days when you fall short, but don’t let that discourage you. After all, life is a journey, not a race.
It is time to pause and reset, but not time to worry about the future
At the beginning of a new year, it’s tempting to worry about what the New Year holds for us. Will I achieve my goals this year? Will I finally lose that weight or bring down my blood pressure? Will I get that promotion I have been working for this year? However, worrying about the future only steals joy from today. In fact, studies show that excessive worry can take a toll on your health, contributing to high blood pressure, poor sleep, and even a weakened immune system. Instead, focus on today. Small, consistent actions lead to big changes over time.
Final thoughts
So, how many of your 2024 goals did you achieve? If you accomplished 100 percent of your goals, could it be that you didn’t dream big enough? Have you ever heard of stretch goals? Stretch goals usually appear just outside our reach, but if you put everything in place and all goes to plan, you will achieve them. I encourage you to include some stretch goals for 2025.
But I am not stopping there. Have you ever heard of God-only goals? These are goals that seem utterly impossible. Unlike stretch goals, there is no clear path to accomplishing these goals. In fact, you must be out of your mind to set these kinds of goals. These are not the typical SMART goals, which are great, by the way. These are goals that you can only set with faith. We cannot outline how we will achieve these goals because God’s ways are not our ways, and neither are his thoughts our thoughts. When you accomplish these goals, you will have no choice but to give God all the glory.
So, why not create SMART goals and add stretch goals and God-only goals for 2025? After all, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Lastly, let’s wrap up the year with gratitude and determination. Let’s appreciate where we are and look ahead to where we’re going. Whether it’s your first attempt or your seventh, the important thing is that you rise again. Let’s welcome 2025 with hope, determination, and faith.
Happy New Year! Let’s make 2025 a year to remember.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below, as well as this article.
Yours in health and fitness,
Doctor Abi
