It’s now 2025. What do I intend it to include? And what do I want to want it to end like?
If you have ever read Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, then it’s important to consider the idea of beginning with the end in mind. This is actually the second step in the process! And the first is Be Proactive, which also applies here. So, let’s begin with what 2025 might look like for us – but also with the knowledge that we control this vision by how we plan, act, and prioritize today - not tomorrow or next week, but starting now before we lose a moment of the opportunity to build and create momentum!
And this leads us to step 3 – Put First Things First.
Are you a person that leaves this process to chance? Do you not feel that you have any control over your future? If so, then you’re not alone. Many people go through life reacting to situations rather than taking charge of them, leaving their goals, actions, and ultimately their future up to fate. But there is a better way: intentionality. It’s possible to take the reins of your life and design the future you desire. But to do this, it requires being proactive, thinking ahead, and then deciding which steps are essential to reach your destination.
Step 1: Be Proactive
Being proactive is not just about taking action; it's about taking control. It's the opposite of being reactive. A reactive person waits for things to happen, for opportunities to arise, and for situations to dictate their life. A proactive person, on the other hand, plans, anticipates obstacles, and makes conscious decisions that align with their long-term goals. Proactivity isn’t just about doing things—it’s about doing the right things that will bring you closer to your vision.
For example, if you want to be in a great position professionally by 2025, you need to actively pursue your career goals. Waiting for the right opportunity to fall into your lap isn’t a proactive strategy. Instead, you should be honing your skills, networking with industry peers, and seeking out training or certifications that will help you advance. Being proactive means setting yourself up for success, rather than letting the year unfold and hoping for the best.
Step 2: Begin with the End in Mind
This is where Covey’s principle of "begin with the end in mind" comes into play. What do you want 2025 to look like? What do you want to have accomplished? Do you want to have a successful business, be in a fulfilling relationship, have reached certain financial goals, or have made an impact in your community?
Defining your end goal is not just about vague desires—it’s about specificity. The clearer your vision, the easier it is to map the path to get there. Imagine waking up on January 1st, 2025, looking back at your life, and feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride. What exactly would that look like? What milestones would you have reached? What changes would you have made in your life?
Once you have a vision for your future, you can break it down into smaller, more actionable steps. For example, if you want to write a book by 2025, you’ll need to plan the structure, dedicate time to writing every day, and set deadlines. The clearer you are about your end goal, the more motivated and focused you will be along the way.
Step 3: Put First Things First
Now that you have a clear vision of what you want 2025 to look like, the next step is to prioritize your actions. This is where putting first things first becomes crucial. We all have limited time and energy, so it’s important to focus on what matters most.
The problem many people face is that they allow distractions to dominate their time. They get caught up in tasks that seem urgent but are not important. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with daily responsibilities, emails, social media, or short-term issues that keep us from working on long-term goals. To avoid this, you need to consciously decide which activities contribute to your vision for 2025 and which ones are simply distractions.
Covey suggests that you organize your priorities into four categories:
Urgent and important: Tasks that require immediate attention and contribute directly to your goals (e.g., meeting deadlines, handling emergencies).
Not urgent but important: Tasks that contribute to your long-term goals (e.g., planning, relationship-building, personal development).
Urgent but not important: Tasks that feel urgent but don’t contribute meaningfully to your goals (e.g., answering non-critical emails).
Not urgent and not important: Time-wasters that don’t contribute to anything meaningful (e.g., mindlessly scrolling through social media).
To put first things first, it’s essential to spend the majority of your time in quadrant two—focusing on activities that are important but not necessarily urgent. These are the actions that, while they may not always feel pressing, will make the biggest difference in achieving your vision.
(In fact, your goal is to minimize quadrants 3 and 4 as much as possible to add to even greater success!)
The Power of Intentionality
The better we handle quadrant two, the less likely those items will fall into quadrant one, and need more immediate attention - there will be enough of those without letting our lack of intentionality allow quadrant one to get out of control. If you have been around us for a while - you already know - it’s all about the Circle of Control. (And if you aren’t familiar with this concept - let us know, we would be happy to share it with you.)
Many people leave their futures to chance, reacting to whatever comes their way. But intentionality gives you the power to shape your future. By being proactive, having a clear vision, and prioritizing the right actions, you can create a life that aligns with your values and aspirations.
As 2025 approaches, don’t let it sneak up on you. Instead, take control now. Ask yourself: What do I want to have accomplished by then? What habits, goals, and actions can I start today that will bring me closer to that vision? Don’t wait for the perfect moment—start now, and continue working towards the future you’ve envisioned.
By being proactive, keeping your end goal in mind, and putting first things first, you can build the life you want, step by step. And when 2025 finally arrives, you’ll be able to look back with pride, knowing you took charge of your life and made your dreams a reality.
Here’s to You and I making 2025 our best year yet! Cheers!
Brian
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