3 Steps to Finish 2025 Strong

Step 1: Look Back with Self-Reflection

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver

Scroll through your calendar and camera roll and revisit January–September 2025.

Take out a piece of paper and jot down notes (or use the fillable PDF here) as you answer these questions:

• What were the 5 moments that brought you the most joy, growth, or pride?
• What were the 5 moments that drained you, stressed you out, or left you feeling stuck?
• What feelings came up in each of those moments, and what actions did you take? Were the feelings or actions helpful or harmful? If you could rewind, would you do things differently? If so, how?

Step 2: Spot Your Patterns

“We must align our strengths in such a way that our weaknesses become irrelevant.” – Peter Drucker

Notice your patterns:

• Where did your energy soar? (Specific projects? People? Travel? Hobbies?)
• Where did your energy drain away? (Saying “yes” when you meant no? Lack of boundaries? Burnout?)

Your best moments often show you what to add more of…your stressful moments reveal what to release or guard against.

Step 3: Design Your Next 3 Months

“Direction, not intention, determines destination.” – Andy Stanley

Based on what you’ve learned:

• Make a list of priorities for what you want to include in your life between now and December. (Goals, self-care, service, relationships, holiday celebrations.)
• Block time in your calendar for what matters most.
• Pro tip: Leave at least 30% of your time unscheduled. Life always brings surprises — and sometimes opportunities too good to miss.
• Create a “Non-Negotiables” list: the things you will do to add joy and reduce unnecessary stress. Keep this list visible every day.