Goals, Gratitude, and Growth
"Every moment is a fresh beginning." – T.S. Eliot
Finish the Year Strong: Your Complete Guide to Reflect, Reset, and Thrive
As the remaining days of 2024 wind down, I am excited to share my final thoughts on ending the year strong. In my previous posts, I’ve shared different ideas on how to set yourself up for success in 2025. But I wanted to be fully transparent and share exactly how I have been doing so and where I, personally, have focused. Yes, I’ve incorporated most of the suggestions that we’ve covered. And yet, I want to share what I consider some of the most important steps I use to help guide my upcoming year.
First, here are some of the more typical things that I have shared and have done for the last 5 or so years.
I absolutely look over the past year and see the progress I’ve made. Until recently, I hadn’t thought to let go of regrets, but there is so much value in not rehashing things that can’t be changed. Even if it’s in the middle of the year, I gladly review my habits and strategies and make adjustments as necessary. If it’s not working or providing value then it needs to change. There’s nothing wrong with letting go of things that aren’t working, even if I am hesitant because of the time or money invested.
As a self-proclaimed paper junky, I am always in declutter mode. Having papers stacked or laying around my desk area is such a distraction, but the old habit can sometimes sneak back up and I find myself “putting that piece of paper over here to get to later” and it never happens. So, over the last few months, I have been slowly going through my stacks of here-and-there notes to decide what I need to keep and what can be trashed. I then scan the “to keep” notes into a file on my desktop to attend to a few minutes each week. Doing this, and keeping an eye on new notes, has reduced my clutter anxiety, creating a sense of calm where paper is concerned.
These last few weeks of the year I finish by creating my schedule and plan for the coming year. How do I go about this in such a busy time of year? Over the years I have learned to purposely carve out some quiet time in all the craziness, knowing that if I don’t, I enter the new year with stress instead of peace.
Here are some of the things that help me move into the new year with a sense of joy instead of trepidation.
First, I grab my oils. I bet you didn’t see that coming. With the distractions and noise of the holiday season, I rely on the focus that I get from diffusing oils that help with concentration. My favorite go-to for deep focus has always been Hawaiian Sandalwood and Green Mandarin. Another, more common essential oil I gravitate towards is Wild Orange. Something about its citrusy aroma makes me settle in and get the things done. Some other good oils to reach for include: Lavender, Rosemary, Basil, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, and Frankincense, so grab a bottle and see what works for you.
I have already spent the last month thinking about what I want to accomplish in the new year, so now it’s time to pull out the planner…literally. I tried the digital thing. That wasn’t my jam. Did I mention that I have a paper issue?
Anyway, back to the planner. I fill in all the big things, the boulders so to speak. The non-negotiables…family plans, Leadership and Convention trips. In-person and online classes are the next things that go into my schedule. I make sure these are things that spark joy and/or move my business forward. It makes the more mundane things more enjoyable.
Next are the things that should get done throughout the year but aren’t necessarily deal-breakers. Honestly, this is a struggle because I have become very aware of the value of my time and am protective of how I spend it. Over the years, I’ve learned to really prioritize. The things that aren’t important, don’t go on my schedule.
Then I live by my schedule! Of course, there is some wiggle room. For years I was too rigid and would drop into chaos mode if things didn’t go as planned. Being adaptable has been a huge learning curve for me over the years. Now, I have learned the value in being able to pivot when needed.
Self-Care and Gratitude: A Perfect Pair
Self-care and gratitude are deeply intertwined, and focusing on one naturally enhances the other. When I make self-care a priority—whether through better sleep, quiet moments with God, or even just eating clean—I find that gratitude comes more easily. It’s as if taking care of myself opens up space to truly appreciate the small things around me. And when I pause to reflect on those moments of gratitude, it feels like I’m giving back to myself in return.
But what does self-care really look like? It’s such a buzzword these days that sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Over the past year, I’ve been reflecting on what self-care means to me, and I’ve found that asking the right questions helps clarify what I need most.
Here are some questions to guide your self-care practice:
General Self-Care:
What does self-care mean to me?
How do I prioritize self-care in my daily life?
What small changes could help me better care for myself?
Emotional and Mental Self-Care:
What activities bring me peace and help me relax?
How do I manage stress or anxiety?
What makes me feel emotionally recharged or drained?
Physical Self-Care:
Am I getting enough sleep, exercise, and proper nutrition?
What physical activities do I enjoy that support my well-being?
How can I better balance rest and productivity?
Social Self-Care:
Who in my life supports and uplifts me?
Am I setting healthy boundaries in my relationships?
How do I make time to nurture meaningful connections?
Self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about finding what works for you and being intentional about making it part of your routine. For me, stepping away from social media on weekends and practicing “JOMO”—the joy of missing out—has been transformative. I’ve embraced the quiet satisfaction of focusing on what really matters, like family time and rest, without the constant pull of notifications.
And here’s where gratitude comes in. Reflecting on what you’re thankful for doesn’t just shift your mindset—it reinforces the importance of self-care. Writing down three things you’re grateful for each evening can be as simple as noting a small win at work, a heartfelt laugh with a loved one, or the beauty of a quiet moment. This habit has helped me end each day on a positive note and appreciate life’s little joys.
When self-care and gratitude come together, they create a powerful cycle. Taking care of yourself makes it easier to notice and appreciate the good in your life, and practicing gratitude reinforces the importance of continuing to care for yourself. It’s a win-win that sets a solid foundation for tackling the new year with joy and resilience.
Closing Thoughts
Having shared all of that, here are some of the changes I’m making in the new year:
Setting sleep as a priority. I’ve allowed myself to fall back into staying up into the wee hours of the morning and then struggling the next day. Sleep has such an impact on your day that this is my #1 priority.
Getting back into my quiet time with God. I used to start my mornings in the Bible. Again, I’ve let that slowly slide down my list. I’ve realized how important that is to my daily mindset and the need to push it back to the top of the list.
Eating better. Eating cleaner. For me, I have realized the impact that processed foods and sugars have had on my health. In the new year, I’ll be working on building a strong foundation of wellness (more on that in an upcoming post). I was in better shape at 47 than I am now, 10 years later. A nasty bout with Covid in 2021 and other injuries caused me to lose sight of those things. Now I am ready to refocus and come back even stronger.
Remember, what I’m doing works for me, but the beauty of this journey is that it’s deeply personal. Each of us has unique needs and goals, and the new year is the perfect time to discover what truly brings you joy, balance, and fulfillment. Over these four posts, my hope has been to inspire and empower you to reflect, plan, and prioritize in ways that set you up for success—whatever that may look like for you.
As we step into 2025, I encourage you to embrace these ideas, adapt them to your life, and stay open to growth and learning. There’s power in starting strong but also in showing yourself grace along the way. Together, let’s make this new year one of intention, self-care, and gratitude. From my family to yours, wishing you a season filled with peace, joy, and endless possibilities. Thank you for being such a meaningful part of this journey.
If you're interested in reading the other posts in this series, you can find them here:
Finish the Year Strong - Pt. 1
Wrap up the Year Right - Pt. 2
How to Set Goals, Stay Accountable, and Achieve More in the New Year - Pt 3
