Larry David has a rule that you’re not allowed to wish people a “Happy New Year” after January 7th.
Unfortunately, circumstances didn’t really allow for me to do that this year. (But I do think that’s a good rule… HA!)
The end of 2024 was a bummer. I am doing much better now and find myself in a better position with more opportunities because my ‘plan’ didn’t pan out. (And you should have seen the 30+ pages of plans that got scrapped!)
I reposted my aims for 2024, last week and considered the year I had. It had a few different hardships, but we made it through! (These hardships are why I’m looking forward to 2025.)
I began writing “agreements” for myself three years ago and sit with these every morning to read them and then check on my aims on Saturdays to make sure I’m on track with what I’m aiming for.
“If you mean it… you measure it…” is still the mantra!
(I developed these during my studies with Influential U and Here’s a link for more information about the Priority in Practice program.
Here’s to 2025!
(Do you make resolutions for yourself each year? Feel free to share your methods in the comments. I’m always interested in leveling up!)
Aims for 2025
MY AGREEMENTS
I will read, speak, and write these distinctions on a regular basis. As I transact, I must keep these distinctions at the forefront of my thinking, listen for, and observe them.
Human beings are always and fundamentally biological, linguistic, and transactional beings.
Biological – We are first and always our biology, which at its most fundamental level is essentially a movable body with a brain protected and informed by a central nervous system.
Linguistic – We are linguistic beings, which means that we have the ability to reason and communicate through language, which is the access human beings have to invent meaning.
Transactional – Finally, we are transactional, which at its core means that we innately exist inside of and because of our ecology (other human beings and environments) and must transact to survive.
The degree to which I am able to recognize and be responsible for the fact that I am a biological, linguistic, and transactional being determines the measure of my health, happiness, and prosperity.
STRATEGY
My primary focus is to build a supportive environment around myself that will allow me the best chance and most fun in the pursuit of satisfying my aims.
I will know when I’m succeeding when I:
- Know what my aims are AND
- Have measurable and objective Actions to achieve them AND
- I’m able to articulate the help that I need to seek in achieving my aims AND
- I regularly and periodically assess how I am doing to determine where I need to reinvent.
I will keep an attitude of wonder and play while learning about my upper-limit behaviors/problems.
I will notice when I:
- Worry
- Blame and Criticize
- Become sick or hurt
- Squabble
- Hide significant feelings
- Do Not keep agreements
- Do not speak significant truths to the relevant people
- Deflect
- Compare
When I notice myself doing one of the things on my upper limit list, I will shift my attention to the real issue: expanding my capacity for abundance, love, and success.
I will consciously let myself make room in my awareness for abundance, love, and success. I won’t just hold it in my mind, but I will feel it in my entire body.
I will embrace a new story that tells about my adventures in the zone of genius.
I believe that something amazing will happen for me, today.
I will ask myself these questions before making statements:
- Is it kind?
- Is it true?
- Is it necessary?
- Is it timely?
I will remember the four agreements and practice them daily:
- Be impeccable with my words
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do my best
ETHICS
I am authentic and I value others’ authenticity. I will strive to create a safe place for those who transact with me to be their authentic selves, as I remember that “One cannot transact successfully with someone whose viewpoint you cannot interpret accurately.”
I believe that it’s okay to disagree. Disagreement offers me the opportunity to perceive others’ transactional world views and I can always learn something in my transactions, regardless of who they are with. I use “declines” appropriately and sometimes it’s okay to be silent rather than argue.
“Give the people what they want.” is a phrase I use to remind myself to cop an attitude and I will work to be sure that my attitude is appropriate for the situation that I find myself in.
I have ADHD and remind myself so that I may think accurately and not let my biology run the show.
Everything does not need an immediate resolution and I will “measure” before I “complete”
“Get the cool shoes.” is a phrase that I use to remind myself that I will not allow what other people think to affect me. I get the things I think are cool and walk the way I think is cool- not the way they think is cool.
I am in charge of my mood.
I assume positive intent.
I ask questions and seek facts to back up my feelings.
I conduct myself with grace, finesse, and gratitude.
I work to be curious and not judgmental.
I work to breathe appropriately for each situation that I find myself in.
I practice positive self-talk and have my ego (the voice inside my head) view myself (the body that I’m in) as the wonderfully magical vessel that it is.
I treat me like I treat my best friend.
I remind myself of the “Four Hidden Barriers” and shine a light on them so they do not affect me:
- Feeling Fundamentally Flawed
- Disloyalty and Abandonment
- Believing That More Success Brings a Bigger Burden
- The Crime of Outshining
MY AIMS
- Health: My mind and body are nimble and strong.
- Activity: Help good people win. I move with grace, finesse, and gratitude.
- Career: I offer my help where it is valued and I enjoy using my gifts.
- Money: I am worry-free about this condition. (I want $6.5 million in assets to retire.)
- Environment: I surround myself with positive influences and, when that’s not available, I become the positive influence. My environments are neat and tidy.
- Sociality: I grow and maintain new friendships in valuable ecologies.
- Education: Never stop learning. Earn a Doctorate.
- Spirituality: Be at peace with God, others, and myself. I meditate and breathe through the problems I face.
- Ethics: I move with grace, finesse, and gratitude. I live by the Golden Rule.
- Aesthetics: I indulge in beauty and leisure every day, but not to the point of excess.
- Fitness: Be fit for an ambitious adult life. I notice and eliminate upper-limit behaviors.
- Legacy: Make someone else’s day, because I made someone else’s day. Affect someone positively who passes it on.
- Politics: Know the issues and be able to discuss them with the relevant people while recognizing when I’m discussing them too often. (Local AND National)
- Knowing: Remain curious and turn my education into action.
- Relationship: I am a supportive and committed partner to a supportive and committed partner.
TACTICS
- I will meditate, daily
- I will journal, daily
- I will exercise, daily
- I will study, daily
- I will read these agreements and consider my aims, daily
- I will write out my to-do list and sync it with my calendar
- I will listen to and enjoy one upbeat song, daily
- I will periodically reflect on whether I am fulfilling my agreements or need to reinvent
- I will review my aims on Saturday mornings
WHO I AM
- Enthusiastic
- Charismatic
- Thoughtful
- Kind
- Courageous
- Determined
- Empathetic
- Likable
- Lovable
- Authoritative
- Powerful
- Graceful
- Relentless
- Resilient
- Present
- Ambitious
- Patient
- Conscientious
- Generous
- Brave
- Strong
- Endearing
- Dependable
MISSION AND MY ROLE
“To help good people win by fostering growth, clarity, and mastery in myself and others.”
I am committed to living with grace, finesse, and gratitude while supporting individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve their most ambitious aims. I believe that success comes from building valuable ecologies, nurturing authentic relationships, and creating environments where people can thrive. Through every transaction, I aim to leave others better than I found them.
ROLE
“To be a catalyst for growth, leadership, and strategic clarity in teams, businesses, and individuals.”
In every role I step into, I bring a unique combination of enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and determination. I specialize in facilitating meaningful connections, supporting teams in solving complex challenges, and turning ambiguity into action. I leverage my background in strategy, leadership, and personal development to inspire and empower those around me. My ultimate goal is to create a lasting impact by shaping environments where people and businesses can achieve results they once thought impossible.
I invite you to take on a practice like this for yourself. This allows me to live much more intentionally than if I didn’t read and practice them each year.
Here’s to a new year may 2025 leave you ridiculously satisfied.
-j