Stop, Start, Continue: A Blueprint for 2025
Hey Team! Happy Saturday!
I hope you’ve had a marvelous holiday season.
I’m writing this post with a full heart, reflecting on 2024 and envisioning our spectacular 2025 together. Your support means everything!
I’ve reflected on the wins and challenges of 2024 to decide what to stop doing, start doing, and what to continue.
The Good & Bad of 2024
The Wins:
- I began working consistently every day.
- Not watching as much TV.
- My A1C went down, and I started walking regularly.
- Friendships made in the community
- Learned Facebook Lead Ads
- Launching my TikTok channel felt like jumping off that high dive, but I did it!
- Learning to move through business tasks even when emotions run high – that “messy makes millions” mindset from Shamina Taylor really clicked
The Challenges:
- Both my dog and my grandma passed away… Those are the two closest to me outside of my husband. Grief brought me to a standstill a number of times.
- Perfectionism held me back from launching content faster
- Self-doubt crept in when posting on Facebook and sending follow-up emails
- Often got caught in planning/learning mode instead of action mode
Lessons That Changed Everything
What 2024 taught me: Growth happens in the messy middle.
Every time I felt uncomfortable but pushed through anyway, magic happened.
With the help of my mentors and our community, my self-confidence has also grown. I trust myself to figure it out by trying. I’m less scared of messing up. I’m ready to just make it happen.
2025 Blueprint
What I’m Stopping:
- Waiting for perfect timing
- Over-analyzing before taking action
- Letting self-limiting beliefs set my pace
What I’m Starting:
- Weekly content batching sessions
- Prioritize all the things that need to be done
- Regular community engagement days
- Schedule fun. I need to have more fun enjoying cross stitch and reading when I’m done working. (I usually get tired and fall asleep way too early!)
What I’m Continuing:
- Improving my health
- Creating authentic content that speaks to book lovers
- Building this amazing community
- Learning to use social media and growing publicly
Conclusion
I concluded 2024 with the mantra “act faster than self-limiting beliefs.” For 2025, it’s “An imperfect garden grows more flowers than a perfect blueprint.”
I love a cottage garden more than an over-manicured one, anyway!
What about you, friends? What were your big lessons from 2024? What will you carry forward or leave behind in 2025?
Drop a comment – let’s plan this spectacular year together!
Ciao for now,
Hi Nakina and Happy New Year!
I see a year of great productivity ahead of us. I’ve discovered that a morning routine that nourish the soul to be most beneficial. For instance, watching the news first thing brings me down. So I have stopped doing that.
Next, I write three pages long hand as a sort of a brain dump to start the day.
Next, I have A Course In Miracles Facebook Page of which I am administrator. A Course In Miracles keeps me grounded in what is important in life however I define it at the moment.
Next, I meditate. Being open to new opportunities, requires a innovative approach to what occurs every day.
I get much of my work done before 1-2 pm, then I take a nap, eat something and walk with my little Boston Terrier. On this walks, I take pics and make videos for our TikTok adventures.
The main thing I want to avoid is getting sidetracked by the drama of the world. Or the drama of anything at all. Focus, persistence, perseverance is my mantra.
Happy New Year!
Oh, Kate! I love this! I usually get up and work first thing. I’ve thought of flipping the script and making sure I’ve taken care of physical and spiritual exercise before I get to work. I think I might be better prepared and more effective that way. You’ve inspired me to give it a shot for sure because I know it works for you! You’re so consistently productive. I am with you when it comes to avoiding the world’s drama. It’s so scary what’s happening out there. I’m good with focusing on what I have control over.
Nakina
Hi Naklina – Self-reflection is so important as gives us the ability to do what you just did… think about all, not just the good and bad, but all that has occurred. Reflection gives us the chance to plan and the permission to proceed. I really like the idea of the Start, Stop, Continue exercise. I think I’ll do just that and follow your lead. Best wishes on your upcoming successful 2025!
Thanks, Ernie! You too!
Nakina
Hi Nakina,
It sounds like 2024 was a year of growth, reflection, and resilience for you. I’m so sorry for your losses, it’s never easy to go through something like that, but it’s clear you’ve handled it with strength and grace.
Your wins are so encouraging, especially launching your TikTok channel and taking care of your health. I love your mantra for 2025, it’s such a great reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect.
For me, 2024 was all about learning to trust the process and not being so hard on myself when things didn’t go as planned. In 2025, I want to focus more on the important things in my business now that I know what to focus on and enjoying the journey.
Thank you for being so open about your journey, your words always motivate me to keep going. Wishing you an amazing 2025 filled with growth, joy, and lots of flowers in your “imperfect garden”!
Happy New Year! 🥂🥳
Meredith
Meredith Moore recently posted…My Surprise TikTok Shop Invite: Here’s How You Can Get Yours Too!”
Thank you so much, Meredith!
I am very excited to have a fresh start! One big thing I forgot to mention is that I want to enjoy my day. I put so much pressure on myself. Why not just enjoy the process? I think that’s a great aim! Thanks for that perspective 🙂
Nakina
Hi Nakina,
Really a great reflection of 2024 and what you’re looking for in 2025.
I’ve loved seeing you grow in 2024 and mostly how you took charge of your success.
When Dean asked us if we could become “a person capable of success” I’m positive that he was thinking of you!
On my side, I’ve also done a reflection of what or how 2024 could have been better but taking the time to reflect on what 2025 can hold is something that is truly positive.
Wishing you all the best in this coming year!
Thank you, Marc!
I’m very encouraged to hear you can see my growth! I have grown quite a bit. As Dean says, you must become someone who can succeed before you can do it. There has been so much going on in the background for me. Now that I’ve grown so much, I know I’m ready for some success. It’s almost like the hard part has already been done! LOL! I’m so excited to see what’s in store for us both in 2025!
Nakina
Hello Nakina! it’s again the time for thoughts on 2024 and new resolutions to take for 2025. I can read you have self doubt posting on Facebook and to Follow up? I’m like you on these aspects. Let’s keep practicing without overthinking, and it will become natural. You did with your blueprint what we all should do to start 2025 on the right foot. I wish you a successful new year!
Martin
Hi, Martin!
You are right! I do have self-doubt regarding social media and follow-up. I like your suggestion not to overthink it. That’s key! Happy New Year, Martin! 2025 is ready for us!
Nakina
Nakina, I love your assessment of 2024. I too share your win of the A1C going down. My doctor put me on the high side of being pre-diabetic and a good consistent dose of a better diet and exercise brought me down to the lower-end of being pre-diabetic.
You may have already seen it in me and I see it in you. The big lesson I’ve learned is to first determine who my tribe is; and then to give them the content that encourages them to engage with me.
Yes – this will be a spectacular year!
Robert Klein recently posted…California Dreaming
Congratulations on your health, Bob! Go us! It’s difficult to diligently watch my diet especially now that I am A-ok, but I know that only came true from the hard work I’ve already put in. I don’t want to go off track now! LOL! Let’s continue getting healthier this year!
I think you are right. Create content for your tribe and they will engage with you.
Happy 2025!
Nakina
Looking back feels eye-opening sometimes, Nakina. Grief feels like an immovable anchor sometimes. But feeling it while being gentle with self does nudge you forward back into love; the self-same love beamed onto you by your grandmother and doggie. You get the sense that love is eternal and beneath this worldly surface, everything will be OK forever. Experience thing. Happens with a whole lotta mind training.
Happy New Year. 🙂
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted…What Blogging Platform Should I Use?
Thanks, Ryan. Your thoughts on grief are beautiful. I do feel their love is continuous, just present in a different way. I still miss their daily presences, and sometimes that hits harder than others, but I expect that will get better over time. I appreciate the idea that I should be gentle with my grief. That’s helpful!
Nakina