It’s that time. The sun set on 2024. Did your year go as planned? Did you do all the things you wanted? Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan, and sometimes, we don’t do what we said we would do. If we want a different result, we have to take different actions in 2025.
In this episode, I’m talking about having the guts to go after what you want in the new year. Letting go of fear, stopping worrying about what others think, and finally taking steps toward reaching your goals.
Here we go.
The ending of a year means it’s time to set yourself up for 2025. You lead the way. Your thoughts, actions or lack of actions set the tone for how your year will play out.
Here’s where to start.
Closing the Chapter on 2024
Before we talk about the future, let’s take a minute to address the elephant in the room—2024. Maybe you didn’t accomplish everything you wanted this year. Maybe you had goals that took a backseat or big dreams that got sidetracked. That’s fine. You’re not the only one.
There are a lot of things I said this time last year that I didn’t accomplish or didn’t go as planned. It’s frustrating, but there are also many things I accomplished. I’m sure it’s the same for you.
We aren’t fortune tellers. We don’t know what life has in store for us. When the unexpected happens, we adapt and overcome. When that happens, you have to adjust your life and goals to handle the situation put in front of you.
To gear up for 2025, we have to put 2024 to bed. We must let go of everything that happened this year that didn’t go our way. Be intentional, write those things down, and then throw them in the trash. Then, make a list of things you did accomplish.
In planning this episode, I made my own list of things I didn’t accomplish or didn’t get done the way I hoped. They’re a bummer but when I wrote out all of the things I did do and the things I hadn’t planned on doing but for whatever reason became something I needed to accomplish this year, it felt great.
You want to let go of the regret and worry about things that didn’t come to pass. The past doesn’t define your future unless you continue to haul it around. Don’t take your 2024 baggage into the new year. You want to travel light into 2025.
Stop Letting Fear and Opinions Hold You Back
How many times have you stopped yourself from pursuing something because you were scared of failing or worried about what others might think? Maybe it was starting a side hustle, applying for a dream job, or making your first investment. I know I’m guilty of worrying what others will think or failing while others are watching. I do, however, try to remind myself that other people’s opinions don’t matter and they don’t pay our bills. And when we look back on what others might see as a failure, that is what propels us forward to the next step.
You are the only person living your life. Other people can have opinions, but they do not have to deal with the consequences of your inaction. If you wait for everyone to agree with your choices, you’ll be waiting forever. Plus, you will regret it. You’ll regret that instead of going for it, you sat around and ran all the scenarios of what other people might think about your actions in your mind. You are not in control of anyone else’s thoughts. The only thing you have control over is your thoughts and actions.
Going into 2025, let go of the fear and the worry because they do not serve you well. Instead, focus on what you want and what you need to do to get there.
What Does Success Look Like for You?
This is where the rubber meets the road. What do you really want? Not what your family thinks you should want, not what society says you should want, but what YOU truly desire. Think about it and define your version of success. Maybe it’s getting out of debt, saving for a house, or starting your own business.
Write down your top three goals for 2025. Be specific. Don’t just say, “I want to save more money.” Say, “I want to save $10,000 by December 31, 2025.” Make them SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Create a Plan and Take the First Step
Once you know what you want, make a plan. Goals without a plan are just wishes. Break your big goals into smaller, actionable steps. If your goal is to save $5,000 or $10,000, what does that look like per month? What expenses can you cut? How can you increase your income?
Take one step toward your goal today—just one. Little steps are giant leaps when you look back. Open a savings account, research a side hustle, or schedule a meeting with a financial coach or advisor. Action, no matter how small, builds momentum.
Embrace the Power of Consistency
Consistency beats motivation every time. Your motivation can fade, but consistency creates habits that lead to success. Commit to showing up for yourself every single day, even when it’s hard, even when you don’t feel like it or even when someone passes judgment on the goals you’re trying to reach.
Build a routine that supports your goals. Maybe that means setting aside 30 minutes every morning to work on your side hustle or automating your savings so you don’t even have to think about it. Small, consistent actions add up over time.
Fail Forward
Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of the process. Every successful person you admire has probably failed more than you can imagine. The difference is they didn’t let failure stop them. They failed forward, learned from it, got up, and kept going.
Reframe failure as feedback. Instead of thinking, “I failed,” think, “What can I learn from this?” Use failure as a stepping stone, not a roadblock.
I have failed many times in life and business, and I know I’ll continue to fail. If I’m not failing, I’m not pushing myself to reach new goals. I’ve found that every time I’ve failed, once I calm down and think about it logically, it’s a valuable lesson I need to accomplish my goals. I’m not saying failure doesn’t hurt because it does, but it does make you stronger for having gone through it.
Surround Yourself with the Right People
Trying to accomplish your goals is hard. When you have lost motivation or are having a bad day, the people around you in those moments are critical. Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you. People who, when you’re struggling and want to quit, tell you not to give up.
Join a community, find a mentor, or connect with others who share your goals. Look for fellow military and veteran groups that understand your unique challenges and can offer guidance. Identify one person or group who can help you achieve your goals in 2025. Reach out to them this week.
Wrapping it Up
2025 is your year. Own it! Have the guts to accomplish the things you want. This is the year you stop making excuses, let go of fear, and take charge of your future. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to take the first step, and then the next, and then the next. Compound your way to accomplish all you want this year.
Resource From Guts to Go After What You Want Episode
- How to Set Goals for 2021
- How to Use Consistency to Achieve Your Financial Goals
- Steps You Can Take to Achieve Goals
- Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
MILMO Show Sponsor
Support for the MILMO Show is provided by Navy Federal Credit Union. It’s the holiday season or, as I like to call it, the spending Super Bowl. Expenses add up quickly this time of year. If you’re spending with Navy Federal’s NEW cashRewards Plus card, you’ll earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. When you spend $2,000, you’ll receive 200 dollars cash back and a Walmart Plus annual membership. You can learn more at navyfederal.org.
Got Money Questions?
If you have questions about money or entrepreneurship, please fill out this form, and Lacey will answer them on the show and send you a free MILMO t-shirt!
