I’m excited that you and I can witness the last day of 2024. In fact, as I send this post, some places in the world are in 2025 based on time difference. In the last couple of weeks, I had a few important things I wanted to complete before the year ended but fell ill along the way. I knew immediately it was time to stop everything and rest. Well, I’ve recovered and am ready for 2025—thanks to God for restoring my health. My point is this: We need rest as the new year approaches, along with some level of isolation for sober reflection.
One of the things that started ringing in my mind as 2024 is coming to a close is this: No one is coming to save me or help me with the things I need to do, especially for myself. As a farmer, no one will save you from hunger if you fail to plant when you should. No one will save you from illness if you don’t prioritize your health by eating right and resting well. No one will rescue you from your own ignorance if you underestimate the power of reading good books and seeking knowledge. As an adult, you are responsible for many things in your life, whether good or bad. In fact, if you leave your life on autopilot, what you’ll be surrounded with is piles of chaos.
The truth is that we must be in charge—you are the CEO of your life. As we approach 2025, I want to share how you can get the best out of the new year.
1. Evaluate Your Current State
A deep reflection is necessary as the year ends. Personally, I’ve been reflecting over the past two months about 2024 and the things I want to focus on in 2025. This helped me clarify two things: what I can still accomplish before the year ends, and what needs to be pushed into 2025.
Find a calm and quiet place to evaluate your current situation. How was 2024? Start by recalling your achievements throughout the year—those wins matter, and they can serve as motivation for doing even better. Then, ask yourself some tough questions:
Where am I right now?
Am I satisfied with my current situation?
Is the job I’m doing right now the dream job I desire?
Is this the business I envisioned?
As you assess your current state, identify areas in your life that need rescuing or improvement.
2. Dream, Believe, and Plan
Dream, dream, and don’t stop dreaming. To dream is to set life-changing goals. Dreaming allows you to see beyond the present. Tomorrow is simply today’s dream. To dream is to imagine a future that’s better than your current reality. No doubt, life is filled with challenges, but this should never stop you from dreaming. Sometimes, dreaming big is simply dreaming small things over and over again.
Take a pen and write down the goals you have for 2025. If possible, write them in bold and place them somewhere you’ll see them every day. In addition, believe strongly that those dreams are possible and realistic by affirming them until they are etched in your subconscious mind.
When you’re convinced about your dreams, they will consume you and drive you until they become reality. Essentially, your belief will lead to actionable plans.
3. Take Action
Without action, you’re just a dreamer. One of the things I recommend is sowing seeds of action in areas where you want to see results. Your dreams are like fruits—you need to plant the seeds. Have you figured out what seeds you need to plant in 2025?
Some of my toughest regrets this year are the small actions I didn’t take or didn’t take in time. Decide to sow those seeds in a timely manner and watch for a great harvest. Remember the famous words from The Richest Man in Babylon: “Men of action are usually favored by the goddess of luck.” Become a committed actor on your dreams in 2025. To take positive action toward your goals, you may need new habits or a new level of discipline. Trust me, the small sacrifices you make today can lead to a huge difference over the next 365 days.
Conclusion
As this year ends, remember that, like every year, there will be things you’ve accomplished and things left undone. It’s okay to celebrate your wins and brace yourself for the tasks ahead. I’ve titled this note “Update.” Yes, I think we all need this as we move into the new year. You and I need to operate on a new level.
I agree that no one is an island—we need people, and we must build great relationships. In fact, I know God is merciful, and we are the product of other people’s investments. Nevertheless, you are ultimately the savior of your own destiny. Even if God will rescue you, He will still require a level of responsibility from you. So, why not rise to the challenge of life, update yourself, and dominate your world?
Happy New Year in advance. Thank you for following my notes throughout the year. Let me know which of my monthly notes was your favorite, and feel free to share your feedback. I hope you stay connected in 2025, and look out for more insightful notes.
I am Samuel Ayankoso, the Quester
Quotes
“To get what we’ve never had, we must do what we have never done.” – Juan Casimiro
“Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die tomorrow.” – James Dean
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson
