3 Strategies To Make 2025 THE YEAR!
Every year, we set our resolutions and goals, and let's be honest— most of us fall short. The issue really isn’t the goals themselves; it’s the need to change our daily habits to achieve those goals. Take a moment to reflect on this. Which goals did you set last year? Which ones did you accomplish, and which did you not? What habits helped you succeed, and which ones held you back?
It’s important to recognize that setting a goal is just the beginning. Identifying the actions needed to reach your goals, staying consistent, and acknowledging your progress are essential for success. Transforming your mindset and approach takes time, so be intentional and give yourself grace. To help you get a start on changing those habits, here are Salon Lofts’ top three strategies for reaching your goals this year:
Strategy #1: Think About the Buckets
Your goals don’t exist in isolation—they impact various areas of your life. Think about these areas in buckets:
Personal
Health
Recreational
Home
Health
Spiritual
Career
- Visualize your buckets: Create a clear mental or physical image of your life’s different areas.
- Bucket Synergy: If you want to “earn more money” (career bucket), consider how improving your health, continuing your learning, or nurturing your relationships can contribute. The idea is to create synergy between these different areas in your life.
Strategy #2: Remove Failure from the Equation
Fear of failure often holds us back from even starting. This strategy encourages you to imagine what you'd do if failure were impossible, removing self-doubt and mental barriers.
What would I HAVE?
What would I BE?
What would I DO?
- Think without limits: In the worksheet, when you ask yourself, “What would I HAVE, BE, or DO if there were no way to fail?” let your imagination run wild. This exercise is about letting go of all the "what ifs" that hold you back. It helps clarify your true desires.
- Break it down: The things you "would have" or "would do" might seem far out of reach at first. Breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks and being honest with yourself about your bandwidth can help. By doing this, you’ll start to realize that what once seemed impossible is achievable!
Strategy #3: Turn Your Goals into Intentions
The difference between goals and intentions is subtle but powerful. Goals are often seen as desired outcomes, while intentions represent commitments to action. By treating your goals as intentions, you shift from hoping for success to actively committing to the work.
I want to QUIT...
I want to START...
I want to LEARN...
I want to CONTINUE...
I want to TRY...
I want to HAVE...
I want to BE...
I'm going to...
- Focus on the process, not the outcome: Intentions often focus on the actions needed to achieve a desired result. Instead of saying, "I want to run a marathon," try, "I want to run three times a week," or "I want to prioritize my fitness."
- Be specific: When you write out your intentions, be specific and measurable. Instead of writing vague intentions like "I want to try new things," try something like, "I will try one new hobby every two months."
Bonus Tip:
As you implement these strategies, remember the power of tracking and reflection. Set a regular time (weekly, monthly, etc.) to review your progress, reflect on what’s working, and adjust your actions as needed. The key to long-term success is consistency, and tracking helps keep you on course.
Looking to Dive Deeper?
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a great suggestion. It helps connect the dots between goals, systems, and habits—offering actionable advice on how to make new behaviors stick.
