As we begin a new year, I see a lot of reflection on the past year, successes and short falls as well as commitment to new year’s resolutions and new goals. It has always been a mainstream belief that failures or short falls are bad and reaching or exceeding one’s goal is good.

What is we see “failures” as opportunities to understand challenges in a new way and plan for more realistic goals in the next year?

Here are some ways I have failed this year:

• Did not pay off my student loans.
• Did not sell all my books in my online bookstore.
• Did not do yoga asana or meditate every day.
• Did not meet my daily steps goal every day.
• Did not cook at home the majority of the year.
• Did not exceed my reading goal for the year.
• Did not post on my blog each month.

But are these all really “failures”? I see them more as opportunities to understand what prevented me from reaching those goals and pivot, change my mindset to set myself up for success.

So in 2025, I hope to reach the following goals which I feel are more attainable:

• Pay off 3 more of my student loans.
• Sell half of the books in my online bookstore.
• Do yoga asana and meditation 4 days out of the week.
• Walk 1 mile each day.
• Cook at home 4 days out of the week.
• Meet 75% of my reading goal for the year.
• Publish six posts in 2025.

Set yourself up for success in 2025. Understand what’s realistic. It’s okay to push yourself, but push yourself within the realm of possibility!

Happy New Year!