I always say at this time of year: For starters, END the year well.

What do you need to leave behind in 2024? 

Some things are meant to stay in the past. You can’t take it with you and be successful. Examples: Unaddressed pain, unforgiveness, faulty mindsets, disobedience, envy/jealousy, low self-esteem, disconnection from God, draining relationships, and old commitments that need rearranging.

What are you grateful for?

Many things happened and much grace was given. It is empowering and God honoring to recognize this EVEN if the year was exceedingly difficult. Especially if it was. If you’d like to increase the gratitude even more, check out my free guide 15 Daily Affirmations to Encourage and Inspire You in Your Trading Journey.

How far did you come in 2024? 

If you are like me, you are hyper focused on where you want to go next and what has NOT been accomplished yet. Take this too far and it can be incredibly discouraging and disempowering. You must recognize what has worked and ALL the improvements you have made, the things you have learned, and the ground you have covered. No one is starting 2025 in the same spot as 2024.

Before you rush to make a list of what you would like to do and have in 2025, consider starting here:

Lord, what are you saying is something (or some things) that are most important for me in the coming year? 

Ask God to highlight and reveal these to you. What are your priorities?

I suggest not filling in the blanks out of past duty, legalistic guilt, or busyness. Let the Lord speak to you freshly. 

Consider not simply what to do this coming year…but what to BELIEVE.

Who we think we are and what we are capable of does not necessarily tell us what is true. But what we believe to be true WILL change, unlock, or greatly limit what we are able to see and do in the coming year.

Beliefs have consequences.

Your beliefs (about yourself, God, circumstances, and others) in 2024 had SIGNIFICANTLY more to do with how the year went than likely any other single factor.

(If learning how to trade in the stock market is on your list of goals for 2025, be sure to check out our upcoming Unlock the Stock Market Challenge.)

So once again, ask the Lord: What are the biggest beliefs that you are highlighting for me in 2025? 

I am transformed by mind renewal. I understand that these key beliefs will NOT feel true but that doesn’t matter! 

In fact, that very element is part of what tells me that I must lean into that new belief because clearly, I am not connected to it.

I heard a pastor say recently that new beliefs (new to us but not to Him) from God first feel ridiculous, then possible, then probable until finally, we are fully convinced.

What are the priorities for you? What do you want to see happen and what do you long to do?
It’s here that I encourage you not to simply write down these things alone but to attach TWO things to them in each case.

With every desired outcome, achievement, goal etc. record ONE massive action step that you will take along with a chosen date towards that single goal. 

Never set only a goal, one time, on a piece of paper in January. 

The chances of this being buried by life are very high in most cases.

Then our January goals become graves once again and what’s the point of doing it each year?

You need one, courageous and (even irreversible action step) that takes you into the waters of the Jordan!

Consider that the eco-system on your insides (thoughts, beliefs, self-talk, emotions, physical energy, and spiritual health) as well as the eco-system, of your outsides (living and work environment, relationships, Church, routines and habits, personal organization, boundaries and more) are extremely important in whether you will be successful in whatever new goal you choose.

Goals are points on a map, but these elements are the condition of the road that will take you there.

Remember that the ecosystem of your life SUPPORTS and RESISTS certain outcomes. This can be good and bad.

So, does YOUR ecosystem support or resist the person you would like to become?

Does it support the direction you would like to go and the things you would like to do?

Some parts of it do. Keep those. 

Some likely do not. 

It’s here we do not want to passively let things remain. 

This reminds me of the people of Israel allowing other nations to remain in the promised land with them. Sure, they made them into slaves (they managed them), but they did not completely drive them out as directed by God and this disobedience only caused problems and ultimately limited them later.



In other words, you can set a goal, take a big step, but you still must accent and augment that which is helping you and MINIMIZE (as much as you can) that which is distracting, draining and opposing the things you are trying to do and more importantly the person you are meant to BECOME.

For example: This past year I wanted to regain a much deeper intimacy with the Lord. I have allowed extreme busyness to become far too influential in my day-to-day life and I have struggled to root that out.

So, the goal may be…I want to have more time with God. This is too general/passive.

“I will make 30 minutes per day”. This is more specific but still highly unlikely to happen. 

My current ecosystem says this will likely be drowned because that’s what’s been happening. I can’t ignore that and pretend it’ll be different just because it’s January 1st…

I will sign up for an impact class at my church for all 4 quarters of the year TODAY. I will commit to the attendance and surround myself with others who are intentionally seeking God in an environment of hunger.

This is simply an example of progression. It also leverages commitment to a community that reinforces our goals and that is exactly what we aim to do right here at TRADEway. 

It commits a micro action (very doable) and leverages it into a macro action. Get new energy for new actions!

You do it how you feel fits you best but don’t shortchange yourself. You will need to confront the bigger picture. 

Choices change.

Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that a new list will mean a new life…We must make new choices (in some cases they may need to be radical) but as we do make these choices, we can have 52 weeks of radical intentionality and call this year the year of bursting forth!

Redeem the times, the days are evil, seek to live a life that is worthy of the calling we will receive in 2025!