Fit for Life: Your Blueprint to Success in 2025

Fit for Life: Your Blueprint to Success in 2025

If I had 2 hours to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 20 minutes sharpening the axe. 

 

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As we wrap up 2024, it’s time to reflect back and ask ourselves….was this a good year for me? Did I grow, did I improve, did I take that dream vacation I intended to, did I lose that 20lbs I set out to on 1/1, was it a productive year for me? 

 

If the answer to any of those questions was no, then now is the time to start preparing for 2025, so by the time next year rolls around, you aren’t sitting in the same position you are in now. 

 

Remember that an ounce of prevention will eliminate a ton of regret, so if you take some time to prepare for the upcoming year, you will be more likely to accomplish your goals and less likely to regret not doing the things you wanted to accomplish last year. 

 

There are 365 days / 52 weeks  / 12 months / 8760 hours in a year, so it would be a great use of your time to sit down in a quiet place and spend 3 - 4 hours sharpening the axe, and planning your 2025 goals and aspirations. 

 

Personally, I started in November at a retreat I attended in White Fish Montana. 

 

At this retreat, my man Todd Durkin, the host of the event, walked us through a spiral-bound notebook and encouraged us to write and journal on topics ranging from a review of last year to where we want to be in 10 years. 

 

Now I am not saying that you need to take a trip to the mountains to get this done, however, it’s fun to do. But I do recommend taking some time to yourself to get this done before the end of the year. 

 

You can break up the time into small increments, however if you get into a flow, it’s good to keep going and write uninterrupted. 

 

If you are wondering where to begin, I have created a basic outline for you to follow. You don’t need to do it my way, as there is no wrong way, however when you have some structure, it makes it clear to fill in the blanks. 

 

Start with planning your Big 5 goals for the year, then set 90-day goals, then monthly goals, then weekly goals, and finish with daily nonnegotiable tasks, so you create a step ladder approach. 

 

Not only will your goals look more attainable when you break them down like that, but you won’t be so overwhelmed looking at the big picture. 

 

Here is your format: 

 

Fitness - what do you want your health and fitness to look like / what steps do you need to take. 

 

I put this first, as this is the most important aspect of our lives. Health can’t be bought, but it can be fixed if it’s broken. When you are dialed in with your fitness, everything else will fall into place a lot better than if you are unhealthy. 

 

If you want to lose 20 lbs., then write that down. 

Next, you need to reverse engineer what that would look like. 

 

Write down the steps it would take. Things like joining Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, getting my nutrition dialed in, and focusing on losing 1 - 2 pounds per week. Then, go deeper into the “how” do I drop these pounds weekly, etc.

 

If it’s something like running a marathon, then find one 3-6 months away, sign up for it so the commitment is real, and start training with a running coach so you can prepare properly to accomplish this lofty goal. 

 

Whatever your fitness goal is, you need a plan, and you can’t just randomly begin a routine without structure, otherwise you will not be consistent and possibly fail at achieving the health and fitness you deserve. 

 

Finances - How much do you want to make/save/what steps do you need to take?

 

This is the same as a fitness goal when it comes time for planning. Personally, I did not hit my income goal last year, as I set a high & lofty goal, however, I came closer than if I didn’t plan and execute the necessary steps. 

 

I also had a savings goal, which I did hit, as I want a certain amount of reserves ready in case of an emergency. I also became debt free which was another big goal for 2024. 

 

If you want financial freedom, you need to dial in your numbers and finances. We can’t spend more than we make, so to avoid that we need a plan and budget. This has been a work in progress for me, but I get better every year. 

 

Family - How do you show up better/time management/preparation 

 

A simple goal to enhance family bonding could be to put your phones away and eat dinner together every night. Or to create a movie night, or attend your kids' events and leave your phone in the car so you are present. 

 

Taking them to Disney or a summer vacation could be a good goal to have, so plan out when & how much money you will need to accomplish this and start taking the necessary steps to make it happen. 

 

I used to visit my grandmother every Sunday, and I saw or talked to my parents on a regular basis. I know people don’t live forever, therefore I know I will have no regrets later on in life. 

 

Self-care - recovery breaks/preventative maintenance 

 

Yes, I need to make this a goal, as I will work & workout until I burn out, and I try to avoid this at all costs. I need to do more of this, so it will be part of my agenda this year as I need to get regular massages and have regular recovery days.

 

I know many people have standing nail and hair appointments, which is great, however deep self care like bodywork, meditative walks, and rest and relaxation will reset the system and allow us to perform at a higher level. 

 

Lastly, let’s take an inventory of last year. Ask yourself the following questions:

 

How was last year?

What were some big Wins? 

What needs improvement? 

What are you grateful for?

What were some losses that could have been prevented?

 

Use this blueprint if you want to increase your chances of accomplishing some lofty goals this year. 

Use your imagination when mapping this out. You don’t need to follow this plan specifically, but create an outline and use the basic structure I provided for you here.

 

Let’s get focused and make 2025 a year to remember!!

 

Coach Matt