Before You Set Goals for 2025, Ask Yourself This Question

Hello January! It's the time of year when the world encourages us to set goals, make resolutions, and chase achievement. But what if, before we write down a single to-do, we paused and asked a deeper, more transformative question: Who do I want to be?

This question moves us from striving for mere accomplishments to aligning our actions with our identity. It shifts our focus from what we do to who we are becoming. And when we start with this foundation, every goal we set gains clarity and purpose.

"Who Is That Girl I See?"

If you’ve seen Disney’s Mulan, you may remember the song “Reflection.” Mulan gazes at her reflection, singing:

Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me?

It’s a moment of profound honesty, where she confronts the dissonance between her true self and the roles she feels pressured to play. How often do we feel the same—caught between our authentic desires and the expectations of others? Yet the new year offers us a chance to reconnect with our reflection, not as we’ve been told to see ourselves, but as we truly are.

The Clarity of Identity-Driven Goals

Most goal-setting processes jump straight to the what: lose 10 pounds, save more money, get a promotion. These are all admirable aims, but without a deeper sense of why, they risk becoming shallow or unsustainable. By starting with who you want to be, you root your goals in something meaningful and enduring.

For example:

• Instead of “I want to exercise more,” ask, “Who do I want to be?” If the answer is “a person who cares for her body with joy and consistency,” then the focus shifts from checking off workouts to cultivating a mindset of self-care.
• Instead of “I want to save money,” ask, “Who do I want to be?” If the answer is “a wise steward of my resources,” you’ll approach budgeting not as deprivation but as an act of integrity.

When we align our actions with our desired identity, every step forward feels purposeful. This clarity reduces overwhelm and fosters a sense of peace—because we’re no longer trying to achieve for achievement’s sake but living in harmony with who we were created to be.

Who Does God Say You Are?

As a faith-based coach, I believe this process of identity formation is deeply spiritual. Scripture reminds us that we are created in the image of God, beloved and called with a purpose. Psalm 139:14 declares, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” When we reflect on who we want to be, we’re also reflecting on who God says we already are.

This perspective frees us from chasing approval or perfection. Instead, it invites us to embrace our divine identity—as daughters of God, as stewards of His creation, and as bearers of His love. From this foundation, our goals become acts of faithfulness, not burdens.

Practical Steps to Define Your "Who"

Here are three steps to help you uncover who you want to be this year:

1. Reflect on Your Current Self : Take time to journal or pray about who you are today. What aspects of your character do you cherish? What areas feel misaligned with your true values?
2. Envision Your Future Self: Imagine yourself at the end of the year. Who do you want to see in the mirror? Consider qualities like compassion, resilience, generosity, or faithfulness.
3. Write a "Who Statement": Craft a statement that captures your desired identity. For example:

“I am a woman who nurtures others with kindness and speaks truth with love.”

“I am a woman who trusts God and cares for her body with gratitude.”

The Stress-Free Way Forward

If this resonates with you but feels overwhelming to implement alone, I have good news. My Stress-Free Body Acceptance Method? 90-day coaching program is designed to help you embrace your identity as a beloved child of God while healing your relationship with food, your body, and your self-worth. It’s not about quick fixes or surface-level resolutions but about cultivating deep, lasting renewal from the inside out.

To celebrate the New Year, I’m offering a special discount on this program to a limited number of people through January 15th. Message me for more info. This is your chance to step into 2025 with clarity, confidence, and peace—guided by who you truly want to be.

A Reflection Worth Embracing

As Mulan sings:

When will my reflection show who I am inside?

Let this be the year your reflection aligns with your God-given identity. Let this be the year you embrace not just goals but growth—becoming a person who lives with purpose, grace, and freedom. The journey begins not with a list but with a question: Who do I want to be?