This is the time of the year when many of us are setting our intentions for 2025. Me included.
I see a lot of posts about not feeling pressure to do more. Do less. Don’t over commit yourself. Pick bite-sized goals. Be kind to yourself. Don’t feel like you need to have any intentions for your year.
My advice: do the internal work to set your own path, and don’t be buffered around by others. Anything you want for yourself is valid as long as you are prepared to put in the work and get it done.
I have always, to this day, been told that my goals are too audacious (thanks for the word of the year, Scott MacGregor). I had a boss one time, tell me during a performance review, that my work ethic, my ambitious projects, and my standards for myself were too high, and I was making other people feel bad, so I should dial it all back to fit in. Make myself smaller, so others could feel better. When I set my goals, I often reflect on this advice. And then ignore it.
Every year should be about whatever you want. It’s your life. Don’t try to fit in. Don’t aim low, and don’t seek to appease others in your circle. Declare your intentions unabashedly, and make no apologies for yourself.
For my part, I have a big audacious year planned for myself. It includes climbing peaks on 3 continents, as I build my climbing resume for a large project in 2026. It includes a full body-weight bench press, and learning to finally use my air fryer. It also includes an exciting business relaunch. We have grown so much in the past two years, that we are ready to restructure our company into divisions, so we can focus these division on specialization. I’m going to work on being more patient (never been a core strength) and find space to help others reach their professional or personal goals. And about 42 others things that I’ll space over the year.
So, make those intentions. Plan. Set those goals. Do what makes you feel most alive and most at home.
“What you seek is seeking you.” – Rumi. Make sure what you are seeking is really what you want for yourself in 2025 - because it will certainly find you.