Every year, I write a post about ways to approach the new year, and I don’t take it lightly. The last thing I want is to write what everybody else is writing. I like to give big, bold ideas and then, throughout the year, post content that supports those big ideas. I want to give you ideas that may not be mainstream but can be transformative. 

I want 2025 to be the most transformative year of your life and mine.

The problem is that at some point or another, we all have dreams and goals, but some people don’t go after their goals because they are entrenched in their everyday lives and obligations. 

At some point, we have all dreamed of doing more and being more. Have you ever thought about the idea that you are not living the life you are meant to live? Maybe you are stuck in the everyday grind of life. You have too many obligations. People depend on you. Or, you barely have enough bandwidth to live and keep up the status quo, let alone be aspirational and thrive. Maybe you don’t have enough support, feedback, and encouragement. Maybe you have an idea to do something and don’t know where to go, or you don’t have enough confidence, time, or money to do so.

Let me tell you.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

There have been periods of my life when I deeply believed I was meant to live a different life than I was living. Over the years, I have learned that to transform my life, I have to take control of my destiny. Here are some powerful high-level strategies that I want to impart to you for 2025.

Reality and your reaction to reality. We are living in a tumultuous time (when are we not). Inflation is affecting everybody. We are living in a divided society. Even though we are more connected, it seems that we are sometimes not connected at all. Anybody can rattle off a laundry list of grievances. I learned that reality can not be changed – it is what it is. All you can change is your reaction to reality. Don’t focus on what you cannot change. Only focus on what you can change. You can change your attitude. You can upgrade your skills. You can find new people with whom to collaborate. You only have a finite amount of energy and resources. You want to spend those resources on what can get you to a more prosperous point in your life.

Before you can change your life, you must change your life approach. In the quest for success, we are waiting for something to change. We are waiting for the economy to change. We are waiting for government policies to change. Once that happens, everything will be okay. But I have news for you. That probably will not happen; if it does, it will come slowly or not how you need it. Instead, change your approach to life. This means upgrading your skills. Find people with whom you can collaborate. Start dealing with your challenges more healthily and positively. Change starts with you changing the way you approach your life. Said differently, upgrade yourself and upgrade the way you approach life.

Find people who can support you on your journey. You are one person. I hate to break it to you. You only have a finite amount of knowledge, expertise, money, energy, time, and other resources. One important concept for transforming your life is understanding that finding a handful of people willing to assist you can help you achieve almost any goal. They can help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently than if you were to go it alone. If you want to lose weight, hire a trainer to give you appropriate exercises. Hire a nutritionist to help you make the best possible dietary decisions. If you are an author, you need editors, marketing experts, designers, and other professionals to make your writing goals successful. No one person can perform brain surgery on themselves. You need to engage others in your quest for success.

Collaboration can be defined as two or more people coming together to achieve a goal. This can be a team coming together and writing a book. It can be a group of people, including framers, plumbers, electricians, tile layers, and other experts to build a house. It can even be a couple coming together to create a family and raise healthy, productive children.

Your environment is critical for success. A big part of your environment is the people that you have access to. This includes feedback, exposure to different ideas, strategies, or support or help. Said differently, a bad environment can hinder your goals, and a good environment, with the right people, can elevate what you want to achieve.

These are my three ideas for a better 2025. These are strategies that I keep remembering. I want you to be able to transform your life. I want you to limit feeling like you are not living the life you want. It’s time to rise above your challenges and everyday obligations and start living the life you know is meant for you.