If you’re like me, you love setting goals and putting in the work to achieve them. Every goal, ideally, allows us to grow in various aspects of our lives. However, by January 10, 2025—National Quitters Day—many people will have abandoned their New Year’s resolutions and fallen back into old routines.
This year, let’s make it different. Recommit today to personal growth. Here are three key areas to focus on for a transformative year:
1. Health & Fitness
Nearly everyone starts the year with ambitious fitness or diet goals, but these often fall short because they’re unrealistic. Instead, commit to small, manageable changes that work for you.
- Diet: If sweets or salty snacks are your weakness, track your consumption and develop a practical plan. For instance, if you indulge in sweets daily, aim to cut that habit in half.
- Movement: Commit to just 10 minutes of daily exercise. A simple post-dinner walk can yield tremendous benefits for your body and mind.
Small, consistent steps lead to lasting change.
2. Leadership Growth
Walking through my children’s school years ago, I saw a poster that read: “Leaders Read, Readers Lead.” That message has stayed with me as a reminder of the power of learning from others.
- Reading: Commit to reading 10 pages of a book each day. This small habit is surprisingly easy to incorporate into your life.
- Listening: If reading isn’t your style, consider listening to 10 minutes of a meaningful podcast or an audiobook. The world is full of valuable wisdom just waiting to be absorbed.
Remember, growth in leadership starts with growth in knowledge.
3. Spiritual Growth
You might wonder, “How can I grow spiritually?” For many of us, this is where we need growth the most.
- Daily Prayer: Commit to a regular prayer practice. Share your heart with God, but also take time to sit in silence and ask Him what He wants from you. Be ready—this type of prayer often leads us outside our comfort zones.
- Mass Attendance: If you already attend weekly Mass, consider adding a weekday Mass to your routine. If not, commit to attending weekly this year.
- Reflection Time: Start with 10 intentional minutes each day dedicated to spiritual growth.
By nurturing your spiritual life, you’ll find strength and purpose to guide your journey.
2025 can be the year you break away from past patterns and truly embrace personal growth. Recommit to yourself, your potential, and your goals today—your future self will thank you.
