Goal Setting for 2025: Unlock a New You

An open book on a desk, symbolizing planning, reflection, and new beginnings for the year.

Set the Vision NOW for a Year of Transformation

Are you ready to approach the new year with intention, balance, and purpose through effective goal setting? Rather than a traditional “life audit,” this Pathways to Life Reflection is designed to help you evaluate the key areas of your life, set aligned goals, and cultivate a fulfilling path forward.

Unlike standard assessments that simply review categories like career or finances, the Pathways to Life encourages you to look holistically at key areas like Purpose, Connection, Joy, Harmony, and more.

Set the Stage

To get the most from this process, set yourself up with these helpful tips:

Dedicate 2-3 Hours: Take the time to go deep. This isn't something to rush!
Quiet Your Surroundings: A silent, undistracted space will help you tune into your reflections.
Bring a Journal or Notebook: Write down your thoughts to help clarify and reinforce them.
Creative Tools: Use pens, highlighters, or anything that inspires you to express yourself.
A Comforting Drink: A warm tea or coffee can make this time feel nurturing and intentional.

Kickstart Your 2025

With your stage ready, let’s go through the steps to uncover insights from the past year and set a powerful course for the year ahead.

1. Score Your Pathways to Life

The Pathways to Life Assessment is a unique tool to help you score how you feel about each pathway in your life. This is an essential part of intentional goal setting, helping you identify areas to focus on next year. Rate each category on a scale from 1 to 10, reflecting on how fulfilled or balanced you feel in each area. Use these categories:

Purpose – Aligning your actions with your purpose
Connection – Nurturing meaningful relationships
Joy – Experiencing daily happiness and laughter
Harmony – Creating balance and inner peace
Growth – Pursuing lifelong learning and development
Expression – Embracing creativity and self-expression
Wellness – Caring for your mental, physical, and emotional health
Presence – Being fully engaged in each moment
Resilience – Facing and overcoming challenges
Abundance – Building financial stability and freedom

Deepen Your Understanding

Take time to explore what each pathway means to you personally. For example, if “Harmony” feels off balance, ask yourself what areas of your life are causing tension and how you might create more peace.

Download: If you’d like a detailed guide to this process, download my Pathways to Life Assessment to help you explore each category in depth.

2. Reflect on the Past Year with Thought-Provoking Questions

Use these questions to bring your year into perspective:

What were the high and low points of your year?
If you could describe this year in one word, what would it be?
What was your biggest lesson?
Which moment made you proudest?
What are five things you’re grateful for?
Are there any habits or patterns you’d like to change?

Journaling for Clarity

Consider dedicating a section of your journal to each question. This process can help bring hidden patterns to light, giving you valuable insights into what to carry forward and what to leave behind.

3. Revisit Your Vision Board and Goals

If you created a vision board or set goals for last year, look back on them:

Which goals did you achieve, and which did you miss?
How aligned did your actions feel with your vision?

Reflecting Without Judgment

Instead of focusing on each goal, try a three-step reflection for each category: What did I accomplish? What didn’t I? Why? This approach lets you learn from your experiences without judgment, paving the way for better alignment.

4. Imagine Your “Level 10 Life”

Write down all the dreams, goals, and visions you have for the upcoming year. This practice isn’t just about brainstorming but serves as a guide to stay aligned with what truly matters to you. A “Level 10 Life” is about living fully, and each pathway you define helps build that fulfillment.

Visualization Techniques

Take a few moments to visualize what your “Level 10 Life” looks like. Where are you? Who are you with? What does your daily life feel like? Visualization can help solidify your goals and create a stronger emotional connection to achieving them.

5. Goal Setting with Intention

Now that you’ve reflected on the past and dreamed about your future, it’s time to set actionable goals. Using your Pathways to Life categories, create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART goals).

Examples of SMART Goals

If Wellness needs attention, set a goal to prioritize physical activity three times a week.
If Connection feels lacking, set a goal to schedule a coffee date or phone call with a friend once a week.

Remember, small, intentional steps can lead to big changes over time.

6. Choose a Word of the Year

Think of one word that captures your vision for 2025. This word can guide your focus and inspire your goal setting throughout the year. For instance, if your focus is to nurture meaningful connections and fully engage in your relationships, you might choose “Connection.” If you seek to grow and overcome obstacles, “Resilience” might resonate. Let this word guide your journey throughout the year.

Incorporating Your Word

Write your word of the year somewhere visible, like on your mirror or in your planner, as a daily reminder of your intentions.

7. Create Your Vision Board

A vision board is a visual representation of your goals, keeping them alive and inspiring. Think of it as a reminder of your Pathways to Life vision. Make it your own, whether that means cutting out magazine pictures, drawing, or creating a digital collage.

Tips for Vision Board Success

Set aside dedicated time to work on your vision board. Consider doing it with a friend or loved one to make it a fun, collaborative experience. Add elements that evoke positive emotions—like photos, words, or symbols that resonate with your goals.

8. Write a Letter to Your Future Self

Write a letter to your December 2025 self, outlining what you hope to achieve, how you want to feel, and what matters most to you. Open this letter at the end of the year to reflect on your journey. This letter serves as a powerful reminder of your intentions and personal growth.

Your 2025 Self Awaits…

This Pathways to Life isn’t about perfection; it’s about growth and self-awareness, and intentional goal setting for the year ahead. By engaging with these exercises, you’re setting a foundation for a fulfilling year ahead. Ready to dive deeper?

Download: Ready to dive deeper? Download my Pathways to Life Assessment to guide you through each category and start creating your best year yet.

Yours in health,

Dana VanBrimmer, NBC-HWC

Founder: Live & Develop

Live. Develop. Rebuild with Purpose.