2025 begins! What future do you want to build for yourself over the next 52 weeks?
As a kid, I famously said, “Whenever I even think about doing the dishes, I feel so tired.” Before I turned 18, I did the dishes, made dinner (not the boxed kind), vacuumed and mopped, and cleaned the bathroom (among other things) countless times.
Now, at 39, I feel incredibly grateful I had those opportunities (and parents who loved me enough to nurture my capabilities). As an adult, none of those tasks require much mental or emotional effort. Leaving energy for more valuable things.
Laura and I have three kids of our own now, and we're helping them do the same. The strategy? Give them one new responsibility at a time, ideally one that needs doing at least 5 times/week. Things like unloading the dishwasher, clearing and wiping the table, and making breakfast or dinner (from scratch). Supply patient guidance and accountability. Over time, they master it. Success becomes (more) automatic through many repetitions.
Success in life and business is not too different.
Less about setting goals and creating action plans. More about choosing a few priorities and repeated actions to make progress.
Less about chasing what we love to do. More about coming to enjoy and appreciate what we do well, what is helping us make progress.
As this year begins, I'm pushing ahead with my repeated actions, my systems:
- Daily planning with Akiflow
- Weekly demos and planning time with my business partner and clients
- Weekly writing time for this newsletter and LinkedIn
- Bi-weekly release of a podcast episode
- Daily walking 5+ miles at my desk
- Monthly pursuing a new set of conversations to grow relationships with partners and clients.
All of this helps me Building increasingly effective, repeatable ways to create value for others and capture value as well.
Ask yourself:
- Where do you want to be at the end of 2025? Begin with the end in mind.
- What do you need to prioritize to help you get there?
- What repeated actions will help you make the most progress?
Then set yourself up to succeed at doing those things. Start small. Be steady yet patient with yourself. Build momentum and mastery. Your actions become habits, and your habits stack into systems. Your growth in both capability and progress may surprise you.
If you like a good nonfiction read, Atomic Habits and Make Time are great titles to fuel your success this year with a focus on systems over goals.
And one more thing ... the first episode of our 4-part "Begin with the End in Mind" mini-series dropped today, a conversation with Jonathan Baker, M&A practice lead at Punctuation, with some great insights, including the #1 habit to help you build towards a great exit from your firm. You can find it on the Agency Health Podcast website and your favorite podcast platforms.
Wishing you a meaningful and rewarding 2025!