Yay, we made it to the end of 2024!💃 The storms and the winds came in their torrents, but the waves of joy and peace within and around us blew much stronger! There were quite some downtimes, but they did not come close to the happy seasons we had. Not only did we make it to the finish line, but we are also crossing over into the new phase with awakened hopes and clear pictures of possibilities as we hold our answered prayers in our hands. Who else is as grateful and excited as I am, and did I just catch the sight of someone giving some nice dance moves?
Wait now, chill for me!😁 I haven’t forgotten that I ought to say a huge hello to you and ask about how you have been faring. Right, I am also supposed to apologize for being away for a long while! Okay, here it comes: My highly-esteemed person of the TMAR tribe, how have you been? I trust that you’re doing great, and you’re even more hopeful and joyful these days than you’ve been in previous times. I expect to sense that air of positivity you’re enveloped in by now because 2025 is so your year!
Next comes the apologies! It’s been months of being away from your screen, but I promise that you’ve been on my mind the whole time. I apologize, and I hope you’ve let go of that grudge against me. Hey, I’m back for good now, in fact, for the best! This comeback is the beginning of better things for TMAR, for you, and me, and I am excited at the thought of what lies ahead as far as our growth is concerned. I’ll give you a sneak peek into what to expect in 2025 at the end of this post. Kindly ensure you read to the end to get the gist.
Now, we can dive right into the post! What came to mind when you read the title? Does it look or sound familiar? I bet it does! Let me spell out what you must have thought about; the regular yearly mantra which is usually a result of the “new year euphoria” we often have as we begin the year, often accompanied by penning down or verbally making new resolutions on how we are going to shift grounds for the better in our words, thoughts, actions, and in how we show ourselves to the world. Does this seem close enough to what you had in mind?
Then, can you also relate to the shocker that comes by the end of the year (December) when we realize that we did not keep up with half of the resolutions we made in January, if at all any? Have you ever been led to the point of asking yourself if the “New Year, New Me!” mantra is overrated, or if it is even a relevant resolution to make? I mean, is it even worth talking or shouting over the rooftop about? These are the questions that this post will be bringing answers to.
May I also bring one more thing to your notice? Did you observe that the title came bearing a “question mark” and NOT the regular “exclamation mark” which we are used to, and which is a product of our excitement? Well, it’s deliberate, and the motive is to spur up deep reflections in us.
“New Year, New Me?” depicts asking yourself a series of questions, questions like ‘This is a new year, is there really going to be a new me?’, ‘Isn’t this just going to be one of those years?’, ‘What are those things that are going to change around here, or what are those new things I will start to see and do?’, ‘How exactly do I make sure that these goals of mine are not just thoughts on paper, but are actually brought to life?’, ‘When December 2025 comes, will I be able to look at myself in the mirror and tell myself I did a great job?’, and a host of other questions you might like to add to the list.
You might even be nervous or already having negative thoughts about seeing any positive change in the coming year. On the other hand, you might be seriously thinking about how to evolve into the ‘new you’ in 2025. Well, you are in the right place! And to mention, not only is this post for you, but it is also a note to myself! Now, let’s learn together, shall we?
Before anything else, I want you to keep this at that part of your mind where it will not be forgotten: deciding to have or be a “new you” in the new year is worth it! It is relevant, and it is not overrated, at least, as far as your growth is concerned. It is worth the shout, the surge and all. However, in the midst of the excitement, don’t miss out on the following points, and I hope that the energy will not just be at its peak in January alone, but will be sustained midway into the year and down to December.
You have to imagine standing where you want to be, rather than just keeping your eyes on the faults with where you are now. Yes, you have talked down on yourself a lot, but how about giving yourself some nudges of encouragement here and there, words affirming that you can get the job done? Start to imagine and put your thoughts more on the improvements, and not the errors alone. Do that, and let your actions catch up with your thoughts. Imagine the best, not the worst!
Right, I should also mention this: Are you aware that your new year has already started? No way, you mean you’re still waiting till the 1st of January before you start implementing those things you have taken time to write down? It’s fine, and I am not judging you, I promise! This, in fact, is a major reason this post is coming today and not next week Tuesday.
By now, you should have started taking defined steps in the direction of the goals you have highlighted, such that January 1 meets you ready and not just trying to boot or find your way around. Perhaps you haven’t even had the time or thought it necessary to put down any thoughts on what you want to achieve in 2025. It is fine, you’re not late to the party! You can get started with it, yes, right now!
Some goals keep reoccurring as part of your new year goals, not because they are long-term plans or goals that span for more than a year, but because you haven’t even done anything about them at all. I think it’s high time you sat with yourself, had a detailed conversation, and asked yourself questions about why you’ve been stalling in those areas. Be clear on whether and why these things are part of your vision board, as well as how to get started with them.
I have mentioned this earlier, but I’d like to emphasize more on it; Document your goals. Yes, document, as in write them down! Don’t just keep those great ideas in one corner of your mind and claim that you can never forget. Oh, it’s for later and not for 2025 because you haven’t gotten clear directives on it, still pen it down!
Also, when you are writing, don’t just say “I’ll do better with The Mirror and Reflections in 2025”, what exactly are you going to do, and how do you intend to get it done? How many posts are coming up in a month, what’s the weekly schedule like, and what’s the plan for each day? Did I just call myself out? Yes, I just did, and so should you! Be as specific and detailed as you can be with your planning.
Still on documentation, don’t underestimate the power of having a plan on what to do per month, per week, or day, as far as those goals are concerned. Also, you should ensure those goals are written where they are easily accessible. You’ve bought sticky notes for a while but you haven’t put those beautiful coloured papers to use? Say no more, those notes have just found their usage oo, you got them for a time like this!
Put your daily to-do down and get them pasted on a surface where your eyes can easily catch them. And when your eyes do, don’t ignore or save for later! Hmmm, I caught you, right? Again, I’m not judging you! We can do better going forward. Perhaps you’d prefer to have the to-do list on your device so that seeing them comes with a reminder or an alarm, that’s cool too. Just make sure the goals are clearly spelt out!
As beautiful and powerful as your goals are, they might not get to see the light of day if you do not settle the battles in your mind. You have to see the possibility of what you want to do, no matter how ‘big’ it seems. Whatever you want to do in real-time or in real life must have first been done and accomplished in your mind. The change you want to see physically begins with a change first in your mindset. Let your thoughts scream optimism, possibility, and positivity!
As much as you would love to, there is a high likelihood that you do not have all the resources that you need to accomplish your goal right at the beginning of the project. Sometimes, waiting till you can afford to get all the resources before you kick off with the plan might be tending towards a long wait indeed, of which many things might happen in the mix, such as getting distracted or losing sight of the vision altogether.
Here’s what I would advise; start with what you have. You are aiming to get a laptop that does the job better and faster, but at the moment, you are aware that your phone is not a bad option either, even though it might come with a certain inconvenience. Cheer up, the upgrade and multiplication you desire are on the way, but let it meet you being productive with the little at your disposal.
However, there is a need to emphasize that not having all the resources that you need is not an excuse for putting out average jobs or settling for just any outcome. Even with the little you have, let it be said of you that you did the best you can do.
Are you aware that what you do does not just serve you, but also has an effect on other people around you, whether directly or indirectly? In a lot of cases, the impact is even more on other people than it is on you. If it has never crossed your mind the whole time, let it be a watchword for you as from today that “someone is standing at the receiving end of my actions, and whatever I do can either help them get better or make things hard for them”.
For instance, picture a work setting that is based on running shifts; morning, afternoon, or night shifts. If one of your goals or areas to improve on is punctuality, you should always keep in mind that every minute you spend being late to work or past your resumption time is indirectly depriving your colleague of getting a well-deserved rest or engaging in other productive activities they would like to keep up with once you take over from them. I’m sure you’re resolved to do better, right? I am rooting for you!
As part of your resolution, be sure to include doing away with activities that waste your time. Don’t just include it in the plan, get to work by actually doing away with them. You know you have a couple of games or apps on your phone that take nothing less than 3 hours of your time even though that is never the plan? Don’t you think it’s high time you got them uninstalled?
Yours might even be more ‘honourable’, in the sense that you belong to certain groups or online communities. But recently, you have observed that these groups are not contributing to your growth or development in any way. Rather than spend time putting up with the numerous messages that never stop pouring in, don’t feel bad about exiting such communities, or feel like you just must belong everywhere. Remember, no one else has the OMNIPRESENT title, only God does!
One of the mistakes we make when we’re charting a new course for ourselves or trying to get better at something is that we believe we are strong or disciplined enough to get it done by ourselves. But seeing as you are trying to drop old habits and pick up new ones, it is likely that you do not get it right at a go! This shouldn’t make you discouraged, rather it’s to tell you that you need help.
This help can come in the form of people, such as close friends who you can trust with your decisions. These people definitely have to be people who are already doing quite well in the area you are trying to get better at, or at least you’re both of like minds when it comes to improving. As much as your alarm might be of help, sometimes being accountable to humans will land you on an even safer side. Set the alarm, but also have accountability partners!
There is no better time to set your boundaries than now! Before other people can value your precious time, you have to consider it precious yourself. Learn to say a polite but “assertive” no, especially when you know that whatever is being requested is likely to get in the way of your productivity or is an unrealistic expectation at the moment. Don’t be guilt-tripped into taking responsibilities that leave you crushing under their weight.
In case you are reading between the lines, and you seem to be seeing a deeper meaning to what you read above, something like pushing away opportunities to lend a helping hand, I think you just missed the original intention of the point and you should please put out that idea. If you are in a position to render help to people when they reach out to you, please do it wholeheartedly.
If your schedule cannot accommodate their request immediately, communicate with them and consider adding it to your to-do for the days after. Just make sure that there is a balance, such that you are not disappointing anyone despite trying to be of help. Likewise, you are not being adversely affected all in a bid to help.
The above point leads me to the next; avoid people-pleasing! Yes, you love being at peace with everyone, and you won’t want to be on anyone’s bad side. I commend that great trait you have, but ensure that it is not to your detriment. The truth is that you really cannot please every single person you come across. Imagine 5 different people wanting A to E different things from just you at the same time, how exactly do you intend to carry that out while still being intact yourself and not being worn out? Value other people, but value yourself as well.
Perhaps your most frequently-used phrase is “I will do it tomorrow”, let its usage end as 2024 ends. If you truly intend to get it done, do it right now or at least get started with it if it cannot be completed in one sitting. As assuring as “I have noted it for later” sounds, it can be dangerous a lot of times. Learn to avoid procrastination!
In all of your preparation for 2025, have you taken a closer look at your company? I’m referring to your circle of friends and allies! Do they uphold similar values as yours, and are they willing to grow as well? Are their words laced with positivity, or do they bring “bad energy” as some people would say? Remember that you are looking forward to a bigger and better 2025, so be careful with the kind of company you keep!
I know you have a lot of big plans that you have laid down, but have you considered being faithful to the little things as well? Don’t be so carried away with the bigger accomplishments that you forget to be faithful in the seemingly little things, such as punctuality. I assure you that it has a lot to do with the overall change that you are trying to see in your life.
Imagine developing a culture of putting out excellent service to people and being courteous, only for it to be said that despite all the great things you do, your only flaw is lateness to work. No way, that has done more than enough in staining your white! Don’t segregate your commitment to goals, show up excellent in all!
I might be putting this out as the final point, but I dare say that it is the most important for assured success in 2025; Acknowledge God in all your ways. As beautiful as your plans are, His purposes for you are even way bigger! Let Him be at the centre of all your planning, and allow Him to interrupt your plans if He wants to (Proverbs 19:21, MSB; Proverbs 3:5-7, NLT). In all, you can be rest assured that you are safe with Him, and He will never mismanage your life.
Wow, wow! How has the reading been so far for you? It’s a long post, right? But hey, I’m glad you stayed put till the very end! Knowing that I can trust your patience with the posts is something I am always grateful for. You have done that with me this year and in the past years, and I deeply appreciate you for it. Thanks for always being here!
I promised you a sneak peek into 2025 when you started reading the post, and here it is! I have an outline of weekly schedules for the year, and no week will pass by without you hearing from TMAR. Kindly look out for our flyer and caption with more information on the schedules, come Wednesday, 1st of January, 2025💃. Yay, that’s great to hear, right? Well, I’m not done with the announcement! I also intend to send you personalized goodwill messages via your mailbox, and I hope you will help me make this vision a reality.
You can work on this with me by subscribing to the blog to get Newsletters from TMAR. If you scroll to the end of this page, you will find the “Subscribe” option. I’ll be waiting for your notification, and I’ll be glad to receive it. Also, don’t forget to like the post if it has encouraged you in any way. Likewise, follow TMAR on the social media platforms displayed on the home page or our flyers. See, you don’t even have to travel so far! You can also take a step further by sharing the post links with your friends even as we rise together in 2025!
Finally, it’s a real goodbye to 2024 in a few hours, but I’m glad I’m not saying goodbye to you! May 2025 usher in answers to your prayers and desires! It will not just be 12 months of dreams, but actual phases of groundbreaking achievements for you! Welcome to your best year yet, I’ll see you in 2025!🤗
