The beginning of the new year brings the possibility of more. This year, I am adding one additional element to my 2025 intention setting: a mantra of “going BIGGER” and invite you to join me.
I have long renounced new year’s resolutions and instead like new year’s intention setting. I start with a wheel of life exercise (download it on my site here) to assess where I am in important aspects of my life. Then, I reflect and journal what expansion looks like in these categories (for health, it could be weight loss but also could be more flexibility, strength training 3x a week or reducing alcohol, etc.).
I like to brainstorm all the possibilities in every category and then narrow in on what is realistic and possible for me to create ‘success’ or ‘growth’ in each area. I set an action plan in place (for example, eating vegetables with every PM meal or signing up for a book writing group). With concrete steps, I am able to zero in on my vision, which I put into a vision board, accountability system or just quietly hold.
But this year, I’m adding an extra zing to my 2025 intention setting: a mantra of “going BIGGER.”
Inspired by my holiday break, I experienced going BIGGER by leaning into something that wouldn’t normally appeal to me – a long road trip. But in the twist and turns through the red sand desert, I discovered that when I opt to play bigger, lean in, do differently – I surprise myself. That’s what I want to be about in 2025.
Opt out of steady state
The holiday break was a reminder to me of all that I hold precious and want to continue to prioritize: quality time with family and extended family, travel and adventure and time for myself. I know myself well enough to know what I need to feel good, be mentally strong and how to thrive. I’m good at aligning my life in the big picture to be in balance with this. I could do this pace forever.
But do I want to?
As a single parent, there are many dreams or experiences you give up in your family life. I have written about the loss of family Christmas cards and things like multi-family ski trips. Road trips were another thing I thought I’d never be able to do with my kids, for I wouldn’t feel comfortable driving solo. Plus, I’m a skyscraper-loving, nice hotel kind of gal anyway. Roadtrips feel just as foreign as a TransPacific flight.
So when my sister’s family invited us to join them in a 4-state road trip, I had to consider it. The benefits outweighed my discomfort of long drives with whining kids and unfamiliarity with nature.
Don’t play small. Step up. Do it, Shibani.
So we did.
Our Southwest adventure turned out to be one of the most memorable trips of my life. My kids traveled well with their cousins, the drive was tough but the views were spectacular, and I felt unexpectedly free.
I was surprised to learn that disconnecting from the grid, eating and living more simply and being surrounded by nature suited me.
Upon our return, I journaled about what made the trip so magical. Sure, the Zion views were breathtaking and memories were made for a lifetime. But it was the change in mindset about my life, the challenge to who I believed myself to be and what I thought possible that made the trip triumphant for me.
I was able to do something for them – and myself – that I thought I’d never be able to do.
“What more can I do, if I just try?”
Isn’t this true for us all? How when we get out of our comfort zones, we learn what we can do? Can you name an example of this for yourself?
Going bigger in 2025
Heading into 2025, I invite you to bring this GO BIGGER mindset into your visioning. I know I will, for this year marks the walk into an important birthday for me and so many of my friends. There’s no more time to waste. There’s no call that will come that doesn’t exist now. The time is now.
As you map out how you want 2025 to go, I invite you to amplify your dreaming with a GO BIGGER version, not just a standard approach. What are you afraid to dream up? Give yourself the permission to play in this.
- Instead of a standard goal of getting more fit, what if you signed up to run a 10k?
- For someone looking to write a book, what if you launched a newsletter or joined a writing group?
- Looking to change a job? What if you began coaching, set up 3 networking conversations or joined a job search group?
It’s about amplifying your actions to set forth your intentions.
Another way to discover what GOING BIGGER means is to see what comes up for you when you are asked the following:
Our time is precious. Our resilience is more than we know. Only by going bigger can we grow.
DM me 3 ways you will GO BIGGER in 2025.
