Are You Ready For The Question That Will Kickstart Your Success This Year?

What Are You Willing You Leave in 2024, to Help You Find More Success In 2025?

A Simple Exercise for a Stronger 2025

Effective goal setting isn’t only about looking forward—it’s about learning from the past. So, before you dive headfirst into setting your 2025 goals, pause.

Ask yourself: What’s no longer serving me? What from 2024 should I leave behind?

This isn’t just about clearing the slate—it’s about making room for better habits, sharper focus, and real growth. Whether you do this exercise alone or with your team, it’s a powerful way to start the year with purpose.

How It Works

Step 1: Create Space for Reflection

Find a quiet moment. Grab a notebook or open a blank doc. No distractions, no rushing—just you and your thoughts.

Frame it like this:

• What habits or behaviors in 2024 slowed me down?
• What mindsets kept me stuck?
• What processes felt clunky or outdated?

Be brutally honest. This isn't an invitation to beat yourself up or be overly critical. This is the time to be honest and real with yourself about what didn't work for you last year.

Step 2: Pinpoint What’s Not Working

Write down 1-3 specific things you’re ready to leave behind. No vague statements—get laser-focused.

For example:

• Procrastinating on high-priority tasks.
• Saying “yes” to too many things leaving no time for yourself.
• Hanging onto old processes that drain time.

Step 3: Plan the Swap

Letting go is step one. Step two? Replacing it with something better. Decide what you’ll do instead.

Examples:

• Instead of procrastinating: Schedule focused work blocks for critical tasks.
• Instead of overcommitting: Pause before saying "yes" and assess your bandwidth. 24-hour pause for any optional commitments that take more than an hour to complete.
• Instead of micromanaging: Delegate and trust your team to deliver. Work on skills to sit in the discomfort after the fact.

Bonus: Get an Accountability Buddy

Old habits die hard. Share your list with someone you trust—a colleague, mentor, or friend. Ask them to call you out (with humor, and compassion) when they notice old patterns creeping in.

Example: “Hey, didn’t you say you were done saying 'yes' to everything? This might be one of those moments.”

Make It a Team Thing

This isn’t just a solo exercise. It’s a game-changer for teams too.

At your next meeting, ask:

• What’s one thing we, as a team, want to leave behind in 2024?
• What will we replace it with in 2025?
• How can we call it out if we notice we're slipping into old patterns?

Final Thoughts

Success in 2025 isn’t just about setting bigger goals. It’s about letting go of what drags you down. By identifying what no longer works and planning for better habits, you’re setting yourself—and your team—up for clarity, progress, and real impact.

So, what will you leave behind?