GNT #099: 5 hard questions for a great 2025

read time: 4.5 minutes

A few weeks ago, I received a thought-provoking question from a reader.

He’s the CEO of a small company, juggling work, parenting, and all the curveballs life throws at you in your late forties.

He asked:

"What are the hard questions I should be asking myself to get ready for 2025?"

This question stuck with me. So over the past few weeks, I’ve been asking my network, peers, and colleagues what tough questions they’re wrestling with. After many conversations, a few powerful questions stood out.

So here’s an invitation for you. Picture yourself at the end of 2025. What will you be most proud of achieving? What clarity and decisions today will guide you toward that vision?

Set aside 15 minutes this week (put it on your calendar now), grab a pen and paper, and write down your thoughts. Clarity is the foundation of intentional growth, and these questions are designed to help you reflect, strategize, and take action.

Let’s dig in.

5 Hard Questions to Get Ready for 2025

1. How will I know I’m successful?

Many ambitious professionals measure success by what’s tangible. But oftentimes real fulfillment comes from intangible wins - connection, impact, personal growth. Define your unique version of success now to avoid chasing someone else’s later. 

Did you write it down? Exactly where you want to be at the end of 2025? Now, work backwards from your vision. What does a fulfilling year look like professionally and personally?

💡 Break it down further:

• Identify 1-3 core goals for 2025 that define success for you.
• Reverse-engineer those goals into smaller quarterly or monthly milestones.

This process ensures your daily actions align with your long-term definition of success. Remember that success should feel as good internally as it looks externally.

2. What harsh realities do I need to face about myself?

Growth requires honesty. Maybe it’s a habit holding you back, a skill you’ve neglected, or a mindset that’s no longer serving you. What’s one uncomfortable truth you need to address to level up?

💡 Sometimes, we’re blind to our own growth gaps. Here are a few ways to gain clarity:

• Ask for Feedback: Reach out to trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends. Ask them, “What’s one thing you think I could improve to reach the next level?”
• Review the Data: Look at past projects, missed goals, or recurring patterns. What lessons are hiding in the results?
• Reflection Journaling: Write about a recent challenge. What role did your habits, decisions, or mindset play?

Once you uncover an insight, take immediate action. For example, if feedback reveals your time management needs work, block 90-minute focus sessions into your calendar next week. Or, if journaling highlights a mindset holding you back, commit to a daily affirmation.

The key is to move quickly from clarity to action. Growth happens when awareness transforms into intentional change.

3. What tasks can I delegate, automate, or eliminate to free up time and energy for what truly matters?

Your time and energy are finite. Freeing yourself from low-value activities lets you focus on what drives results and aligns with your goals.

💡 Idea: run a time audit. For one week, track how you spend your time each day. Then, group tasks into categories:

• Delegate: What could someone else handle more effectively?
• Automate: What processes could a tool or system take over?
• Eliminate: What tasks don’t directly contribute to your goals?

For example, if scheduling meetings eats into your day, try a tool like Calendly or automate email responses for common queries. Small shifts like these free up time for high-impact work.

Set a goal to reclaim at least 5 hours per week. Use that time for strategic thinking, skill-building, or rest.

Read more: GNT #49: "Getting sh*t done" was holding me back

 
4. What skills or knowledge am I curious or excited to explore?

The best growth often starts with following your genuine curiosity. What excites you about your industry, hobby, or personal development? Maybe it’s learning a new skill, experimenting with a fresh approach, or diving into a topic you’ve always wanted to explore. Pay attention to that spark you feel.

💡 Idea: create a curiosity roadmap: Start by listing 3-5 topics or skills you’ve been eager to learn about. Then, prioritize them based on relevance to your goals and excitement level.

• Set aside 30 minutes a week to explore resources like podcasts, courses, or books.
• Apply what you learn immediately. For example, if you’re curious about negotiation, practice one new technique in your next meeting.

Growth is most rewarding when it feels like play rather than pressure.

5. How will I take care of myself to maintain my physical, emotional, and mental well-being?

Sustainable growth requires a healthy foundation.

💡 Idea: build a keystone habit. Instead of overhauling your entire routine, choose JUST ONE habit that creates a ripple effect in many areas of your life.

Some examples:

• Start a 10-minute daily mindfulness practice.
• Commit to moving your body 3x a week in ways you enjoy.
• Set a hard stop to your workday and stick to it.
• Spend 5 minutes each evening writing down 3 things you’re grateful for to end the day on a positive note.
• Prioritize getting 7-8 hours of sleep consistently by setting a bedtime alarm.
• Dedicate one evening a week to a hobby or creative pursuit that brings you joy.
• Plan and prep (or outsource!) healthy meals once a week to reduce decision fatigue and nourish your body.

Small, consistent actions compound into big results over time.
 

Takeaway

These questions aren’t easy - but, that’s the point. They’re designed to stretch your thinking and help you prioritize what truly matters.

The right questions lead to better decisions, and better decisions create meaningful results.

Will you take 15 minutes this week to reflect on these 5 questions and commit to one small action?

Your future self will thank you for it.

See you next week. 

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