“Weird!”
This is the word that aptly describes how many of us experienced 2024.
A year that brought some degree of upheaval, disappointments, and heartbreaking moments that interrupted our usual rhythm. Moments that were also the reason for the personal growth we experienced.
I am one of those people.
Individually and collectively, 2024 forced us to pause, reflect on what truly matters, and recalibrate our goals. I suspect the reason I, along with many others, called last year “weird,” was a way of trying to make sense of the setbacks we encountered, which felt different from other years.
Today, as I reflect on the year that was, I can see more clearly how 2024 was a necessary part of evolving–how it served as a vital period of preparation.
How “Weird” Set the Stage
In an odd way, “weird” ignited my focus for how I am intentionally planning on 2025 being awesome!
Not in some pollyannaish sort of way where I don’t expect any hiccups along the way. More in the vein of,
“I’m not letting anyone or anything steal my joy.”
You can just consider me a walking billboard for joyful defiance… 🙂
As I was doing my end-of-the-year/beginning-of-the-year reflecting and planning practice for 2024|2025, three words kept coming up for me.
For 2025, my words of the year are “evolve” and “soar”—a pairing that perfectly encapsulates the essence of leveling up.
These words are not just aspirations; they are a call to action, inviting me to embrace growth, abundance, and expansion in my life and business and with my money. Leveling up is the natural outcome of choosing to evolve and soar.
It’s about stepping into the next version of myself and achieving what once seemed out of reach.
What is/are your word(s) of the year? How will your word(s) help you to focus on making 2025 the year you want it to be?
What It Means to Evolve
Evolution is about change, but it’s also about intentionality.
It’s not simply a matter of going through the motions or letting time pass. To evolve is to:
- Embrace challenges: Growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s starting a new project, facing fears, or learning something new, challenges are the fuel for evolution.
I am doing several things this year that are waaaay out of my comfort zone. So, I am ten-toes-down committed to doing things differently, and investing my time, effort, and money to do this.
What are you intending to do differently this year? How are you demonstrating this commitment?
- Commit to consistency: Small, deliberate actions taken over time lead to transformation. Evolution isn’t usually dramatic–it’s often found in the steady climb of putting one foot in front of the other.
What’s one thing you’ve committed to do to help you reach your 2025 goals? What’s the frequency with which you’re taking these steps?
- Reflect and refine: Growth requires introspection.
I have a weekly, monthly, and quarterly process for looking at where I am vs. where I thought I’d be. Collecting these data points is what helps me to identify what needs shifting in order to get to the next level.
However, I’ve also learned it helps to have another set of eyes on what I’m tracking. So, I tap into my team. Because I’m often too close to see what others can see more clearly.
What will be your process for reflecting and refining along the way? And, who will be in your corner to help get you to the next level?
What It Means to Soar
If evolution is the climb, soaring is the reward.
To soar means to rise above, to experience the freedom that comes with stepping into your full potential. To soar is to:
- Live expansively: To soar is to take up space and stop playing small. It’s about owning your aspirations and living unapologetically.
I am so ready to do more of this in my life and business.
What does taking up (more) space look like for you?
- Seek new perspectives: In order to see what’s possible in my life, my business, and with my money, I need to elevate my mindset and perspective. From an elevated, broader vantage point, I’ll be in a position to make better decisions and choices.
How did reflecting on 2024 give you more clarity about what you want (and don’t want) in 2025?
- Shed more: Soaring isn’t just about success; it’s also about shedding the fears, doubts, and limitations that weigh you down. It’s about feeling lighter and less encumbered.
A question I’m adding to my weekly tracking is this: What fear or doubt did I face?
Would you benefit from asking and answering a similar question?
Evolve and Soar in 2025
I may have a case of irrational exuberance, but I am very excited about 2025 and all that is possible!
And while there’s more than one way to level up, here’s how you, too can embrace the art of leveling up:
- Set clear intentions: Define what evolving and soaring look like for you. Be specific—whether it’s scaling your business, improving your financial health, or cultivating deeper relationships.
Setting clear intentions is the first step toward leveling up. You can use “The More Than Money Workbook” to articulate your goals (personal, business, and financial), map out actionable steps, and track your progress as you evolve and soar. Or, we can work together 1:1.
- Cultivate an abundant mindset: Abundance isn’t just about money. It’s a way of seeing opportunities, resources, and possibilities instead of focusing on lack.
Embracing abundance means making decisions rooted in possibility. “The More Than Money Workbook” is designed to help you explore how your financial choices can reflect a mindset of growth, allowing you to evolve with purpose and soar with confidence. Or, we can work together 1:1 if you want to go deeper than you could on your own. (Want your own workbook copy? HIT REPLY and I’ll send over a copy for you as soon as we put the finishing touches on it.)
- Invest in yourself: Whether it’s through education, coaching, or rest, prioritizing your growth is essential to reaching new heights. Leveling up requires committing time, energy, and resources to your personal and professional development.
- Surround yourself with the right people: Your network influences your net worth—financially, emotionally, and energetically. Choose collaborators, mentors, and friends who challenge and inspire you.
- Celebrate progress: Don’t wait until you’ve “made it” to celebrate. Every step forward is a victory, and acknowledgment fuels momentum.
The Challenges of Leveling Up
Leveling up isn’t without its obstacles.
Growth can be uncomfortable, and soaring can feel precarious. Fear of failure, or even fear of success might creep in. Even the fear of belonging can rear its head. Remember, these feelings are part of the process—not a reason to stop.
Growth can feel overwhelming, too. But tools like “The More Than Money Workbook” provide the structure and support to overcome hurdles, making the journey smoother and more rewarding. And so does 1:1 coaching.
Let’s Go!
Evolving and soaring are deeply interconnected.
To evolve is to prepare yourself for flight, and to soar is to trust that the work you’ve done has given you the wings to rise. Leveling up is about combining these elements to unlock new possibilities and reach higher than ever before.
The time to soar is now. Let’s go!
