25 Powerful Insights to make 2025 great 

I'm developing a Challenge called 'The Wellbeing Walkthrough' and was reminded of a great reflection by the Dalai Lama.   He reflects that we compromise our health to create wealth, and then we compromise our wealth to restore our health.  It is rather comical, but equally tremendously sad that this can be our reality given the grind of life.  Yet, without health, there is no joy in life.  Health is my priority and the first goal I set for any New Year. 

Things wear out and the joy of owning them diminishes over time.  Memories last forever and are treasured forever.  That's why my focus now is more on creating amazing memories than it is on collecting things.  Memories are created by observing the magnificence of nature, experiencing different places and cultures and sharing special moments with special friends and family.  I'm making space for more experiences in 2025.

There is something quite special about choosing when you work and when you don't.  I've always loved working hard, and I still do.  That makes a day or a long weekend with nothing planned special because you can go where your mood takes you.   This requires intentionality about how my time is structured and requires me to hold space for time freedom when it's needed.

Last year we achieved some audacious goals, by demonstrating boldness in key moments.  Big goals are in.  If you shoot for the stars, you'll likely hit the Moon; yet if you aim for the Moon, you're at risk of splatting against your garden wall.   Success has flowed from a conscious decision to play at a higher level.  Whilst it is a work in progress, progress is evident and will continue through 2025.

This has become more important to me over time.  I help an animal rescue organisation, dedicating a few hours a week to their cause.  Where I see posts calling for help, I send food or whatever other support I am able to provide.  Additionally, I've made a conscious decision to coach and support people in need, giving them light and energy in times when neither seems possible.  It's a rewarding place to be.

Life calls for our attention, but often we're so engrossed in our emails or socials that we don't look up and acknowledge the message.  There are always a hundred things to do.  I'm making an effort to be present when doing them.  I'm being present with myself and my family more, appreciating the small joys in life, that I would have missed a few years ago. I'm bringing more presence into 2025.

Last year, we completed significant pivots in one of our businesses, which took courage.  We shifted into a social impact business in one area and redefined our offerings in another.  It required energy, but gave us momentum in return.  Sometimes, a pivot is exactly what's needed.  The rate of change is fast.  We cannot therefore imagine that things will or can remain the same.  

I'm not talking about bungy jumping, but I am referencing the need to stretch beyond your comfort zone. The rate of learning is extraordinary when you do.  It may not pan out as you'd planned, but you'll emerge with amazing new insights and perhaps some life-changing breakthroughs.  If you arrive at the end of a year, and you haven't scared yourself, opportunities have been missed.

There is something really expanding about visiting different countries and immersing in different cultures. It expands our frame of reference and understanding of the world.  If international travel isn't accessible to you, immerse yourself in documentaries that explore the world.  There is so much to see, feel, sense and learn.

Gratitude is a place to live from, not a thing to do.  Even if life is challenging, there is always something to be thankful for.  Living from a place of appreciation brings more things that are worthy of appreciation.  It's more than a practice; its a way of life.

I participate in a weekly Mastermind with two incredible human beings.  We met about 2 years ago, and made the commitment to connect every week.  In two years, we've missed two weeks.  When we are together, we intention for each other and the world.  It's a centred practice that is wonderful to experience.

We cannot expect to solve the challenges we are facing today with yesterday's knowledge.  There simply isn't a blueprint for us to follow.  Therefore, we need to accelerate our ability to learn.  Thankfully, learning is something I enjoy.  Not a week goes by without me applying myself to learning something new.  It's a good habit and something I will continue through 2025.  

There's something special about connecting with people with no expectation of an outcome.  It is simply the joy of connecting with a fellow human being and sharing their stories and journey for a while. Whether opportunities arise or not is incidental.  The joy of connecting is the goal. 

If you are going to do great things over a year, you need a well of energy to draw from.  Knowing what builds your energy and being conscious about making energy deposits sees you have the reserves you need when something needs just one more push to get it over the line.

Can we believe everything we think? I think not.  The importance of sense-checking the things which are drifting through your mind is important; more so because thoughts are things.  When we recognise that our thoughts are the origin of our experience, we become masterful at sifting and embracing those that add positively to our experience. 

Language is powerful.  The words we choose to use are energetic.  Articulating the negative will focus our attention there, and our brilliant amygdala will offer us more of the same.   Choosing positive, constructive, powerful language enables lighter living.

Why stay silent about something that isn't working for you?  It's a conversation, not a confrontation.  If there's something you need or want, compellingly ask for it.  If you don't ask, the answer is always no.

Whilst moving towards strategic goals is inspiring, watching the details is important.  I've learned to get on top of and stay on top of the not-so-sexy things that are part of running a business and your life. These are foundational and take discipline and structure to manage.  

One of the things I've been deliberate about, and will continue to focus on, is removing clutter from my life, my home, my workplace and even my inbox.  I'm unsubscribing from most lists.  I'm donating things I don't use to charity shops.   I'm consciously working on having a place for everything, and then keeping things in their place.  Abundance cannot flow through chaos.  

The hard truth is that we are compromising our planet through unsustainable practices.  Even though my actions may be small, I recycle what I can, I follow a plant-based lifestyle, and I am learning more as I journey about circular economies, sustainability, green, SDGs, regenerative agriculture, replenishing mangroves, restoring nature and more.  It's a journey I'm on that will long continue.

A lot of people are dealing with a lot of stuff that is hard. These details are often shared with me in coaching sessions.  It takes little to be kind to everyone you meet and work with, even on days you're not at your best.  When people behave not at their best, kindness enables generosity to understand that perhaps there's a backstory at play.

I've invested hugely this past year into developing my coaching practice and taking it to the next level. This investment is not exclusively financial, it is also in the time it takes to mindfully apply the new learnings.  This investment continues into 2025 and beyond with other certifications underway.  The journey to mastery is never-ending.

We're a small, but powerful part, of a larger system. The need for systemic awareness is growing.  It is my view that for us as humanity to thrive, all must thrive.  We cannot decimate our oceans and nature and expect abundance in return.  Our humanity must rise and my intention is to participate more deeply in this shift in 2025 and beyond.

There's magic in creating and having space in life.  It enables regeneration and innovation because thoughts can spark in this space.  Crafting time for meditation and reflection is equally important, helping connection to Source and parts of ourselves that are greater than our human experience.