Vote for You In 2025
As we stand as the edge a new year, I wanted to connect one more thought to help start the year off right. As I mentioned before, I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. They usually fizzle out by February because they depend on willpower and motivation which wane as time moves on. Clarity and purpose are internal drivers that work even when your motivation is gone. I personally like these three simple questions to start the new year especially if you missed the planning step (see Annual Review plan). They help me focus on what matters and push forward even when it’s hard.
Where am I going?
What’s the destination you’re aiming for? What do you truly want for your life and where do you want to go?Why am I not there yet?
Mind the gap. Be honest. What’s holding you back? Fear, distractions, bad habits, or maybe a lack of a clear why?What can I do about it?
This is where the magic happens. Try voting to become the person you want to become.
Voting for the new you:
Here’s a thought I read the other day and it really resonated with me: every day, you’re voting for the person you want to become. You vote with your dollars and your time every day. Every dollar you spend and every hour you invest is shaping the person you become. Where are you spending your time and money. Does it align with who you want to become?
Ask:
Are you voting for growth by dedicating time to learning new skills?
Are you investing in systems or sales skills to grow your business?
Are you voting for connection by spending money on experiences with loved ones?
Or are you voting for distractions, habits, or things that don’t align with what you want most?
The reality is time and money are finite resources. And where you invest them, you see returns. Both good and bad. Pour your time into Netflix binges, and you’ll reap comfort, but not much progress. Invest in relationships, hobbies, or self-improvement, and you’ll grow fulfillment. So be careful and intentional. Spend your limited resources and vote for something that aligns with the life you want.
Here’s the kicker: if your life feels out of sync with your values, look at your "ballots." Every single day offers a chance to change your vote. The future you is shaped by today’s choices.
So, what are you voting for tomorrow?
HAPPY NEW YEAR Friends! CHEERS to a fabulous and fruitful 2025!
Notes that Resonated
God uses leaders to change the world
Bravery is not the absence of fear but action despite it
The opposite of fear is faith
You can’t aim for a target if you haven’t identified it
The secret of concentration is elimination. [Dr. Howard Hendricks]
Full schedules don’t equal maximum productivity
Make fewer moves with bolder strokes
Work is a rubber ball, other ones are made of glass
It’s not about what you want it’s about what is required
Focus occurs when you remove everything else
The higher the mountain you climb the thinner the air, the rarer the climber
The best way to hit next year’s goals is to start today
God uses the lows for his greatest high
The less you do, the more you accomplish.
The less you do, the more others can accomplish
Things to read
I am a firm believer that leaders change the world, and that leadership is a skill that can be honed and improved like a musical or artistic talent. This book helps leaders create sustained leadership success by mastering five essential skills. The book highlights the importance of taking risks, communicating vision, and mentoring others to multiply impact while caring for your personal integrity to build trust and protect one’s legacy. If you want to grow and improve as a leader this book is a good start.
Personal Competence and delegation
Courage & Risk
Vision & Clarity
Coaching
Character
Balance
Podcasts to listen to
Interesting perspectives on receiving betrayal and managing through it.
Videos to watch
This is a great video for creating the perfect elevator pitch. It’s not about what you do but what you believe that matters:
Top Quotes
Chaos and uncertainty are market opportunities for the wise. -Tom Peters
You can’t aim for a target unless you identify it - Andy Stanley
Leadership is about multiplying your efforts, which automatically multiplies your results - Andy Stanley
Things to Discover
I’m not much for workout classes but Leah Robison (shoutout Leah to your IG post) inspired me to try a kettle bell strength HIIT workout. I discovered this YouTube workout creator and loved it. If you’re looking to level up your fitness and strength in the new year… try this!
Food & Drink
Spaghetti is a family favorite. This one pot spaghetti may be one of the recipes I start playing on repeat
Cool Stuff
I’m working on a bunch of new branded swag, so I found a ton of goodies. I’ll share a few of the cool things we found over the next few weeks. This one is a nice waterproof speaker to take on outdoor adventures.
