Try Fewer Resolutions And More New Year’s Reflections

For the Type A folks among us, the approaching New Year means one thing – resolution time. Maybe you focus on one big rock, or maybe you have a spreadsheet meticulously outlining your “25 for 25.” Or perhaps you dust off the same resolutions year over year, determined that this time you’ll finally get there.

Regardless of your resolution regimen, there’s one technique you may be missing in making your ambitions, personal and professional, stick. I call it New Year’s Reflections – taking stock of the year behind while setting a clear intention for the year ahead.

Here’s why it matters: all year long, we’re busy. We’re busy meeting deadlines, making big decisions, sitting through meetings, working out, taking care of families – the to-do list is endless. It’s exhausting, but also secretly satisfying. And it keeps us way too occupied to look inward.

Taking the time to be present with ourselves is critically important to physical and mental well-being (I see you lurking there, burnout). It’s also critical for reconnecting with what actually matters.

So before you resolve to do anything new in 2025, set aside some time to reflect. Here’s a few thoughts starters:

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Celebrate your wins

How often do you celebrate yourself and all that you’ve overcome, powered through, and gotten right? Make a list of at least ten accomplishments that were meaningful to you, and be sure to include both big wins and small victories. Maybe it was going out of your way to make someone’s day or coaching a teammate through a particularly tough interaction. Maybe it was making it home in time for dinner with the family more often than not. Your wins don’t need trophies. Their significance to you is what matters.

Find out what didn’t work

Every individual’s greatest source of learning lies in what didn’t go according to plan. While it’s not always enjoyable to take stock of your shortfalls, it’s the foundation for personal and professional growth.

Finding your learning edge for the year to come is easy if you’re willing to ask for it. Your closest colleagues, friends, and family members are sitting on a goldmine of insight into how you might improve.

It helps if you ask for their thoughts in a way that conveys genuine curiosity. I often ask “What do you notice about me that is likely holding me back, and that I don’t seem to recognize?” When they answer, be sure to listen actively and resist the urge to deflect their feedback. I am a big fan of Jeff Wetzler’s Ask Approach as a methodology for seeking feedback from others.

Express your gratitude

Chances are, most of the wins you celebrated weren’t solo victories. As the year winds down, take a moment to reflect on the colleagues, team members, and leaders who supported you or made a difference in your 2024. Then be sure to tell them, whether it’s a coffee date, LinkedIn shout-out, or a quick email. A little thanks goes a long way, especially at the end of a long year.

Rather than resolutions, I like to set intentions for the year ahead. Framing my goals as intentions encourages me to think more broadly. It helps me ask, “Who will I be while I’m achieving my big goals?” Writing it down reinforces my commitment.

Here’s to clear intentions for your 2025 and a guilt-free February!