What’s Your ‘Next’ in 2025?

With 2024 behind us, the possibilities of 2025 stretch out like an open road—inviting yet uncertain. The journey ahead could bring remarkable growth or feel overwhelming with choices and indecision.

• Does the view ahead look sunny and bright?

• Is it clouded with uncertainty?

• Or are the clouds parting to reveal a clear, blue sky?

Where will your imagination, purpose, and commitment lead you this new year? It’s a new dawn, a new year—embrace it confidently.

Finding Direction for the New Year

Starting a new year can feel like standing in line, waiting your turn. When the server calls “Next,” you step forward—but hesitation follows:

• What should I order?

• Am I prepared to decide?

• Why does the menu seem overwhelming—or uninspiring?

• What if I can’t afford what I want?

• Why does 2024 still feel like it’s holding me back?

If you are wrestling with similar thoughts, here’s some perspective to guide you.

A Fresh Start: Words of Encouragement

A new year is a fresh canvas—embrace it with optimism and intention.

• Didn’t achieve all your 2024 goals? That’s okay. Reflect on what still matters and let go of what doesn’t.

• Consider how your unique strengths can inspire others while enhancing your outlook.

Charting Your Course for 2025

1. Focus on Key Areas

Identify areas in your personal and professional life that need attention. Create a prioritized list—five individual and five professional goals are a great starting point.

Prioritize your goals into manageable, actionable steps. For example, I added these two goals to my list. Each of these gives me connections in different social environments.

• Personal Goal: Joined the local botanical garden to deepen my gardening skills (and collect free plants!).

• Professional Goal: Joined a statewide Black Business Chamber network to expand my connections and professional opportunities.

2. Plan and Track Progress

• Develop a step-by-step plan for each goal.

I plan to attend one monthly activity with each membership group.

• Set milestones and review progress monthly or quarterly.

I want to have several new plants in my yard by the end of spring.

Activities through the professional group will afford me access to new business resources.

• Show yourself grace if you miss a step—adjust and keep moving forward.

]Being an overthinker, I am harder on myself. I need to lighten up sometimes.

3. Expand Your Horizons

Broaden your perspective by stepping out of your comfort zone:

• Read about a topic you wouldn’t typically explore. (I’m slowly diving into a book on America’s dependence on foreign drug production.)

• Incorporate history into your travels by visiting significant sites. My bucket lists include short excursions to historical sites in the eastern United States.

• Volunteer with a nonprofit to make a meaningful impact in your community. Although I do this regularly at my church, I can do more.

• Take an AI course and discover how it can elevate your work. Hint: Grammarly is my writing friend.

Closing Thoughts

2025 is brimming with potential. The key is approaching it with imagination, purpose, and unwavering commitment. Please be sure to step forward with clarity and courage.

Do not be discouraged!

So… what’s your “Next”?

Thank you for reading and subscribing to this newsletter. PASS IT ON!

Here is the link to my LinkedIn course, ‘Managing a Diverse Team,’ which is available in nine languages.

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/managing-a-diverse-team/welcome?u=2125562