In 2025, it’s time to get BOLD.
I spent some time reflecting on 2024 and planning for my work and thought leadership in the year ahead. Here’s how I approach choosing a word of the year.
How I’m planning for 2025
Reflection.
I always start with reflection. I found Pamela Slim’s list of questions, “Resetting the Vision for Your Body of Work,” helpful.
You could reflect on just a few questions from this list to develop powerful guideposts to move your work forward into 2025.
Questions like:
- What is the story you will tell yourself about your body of work this year, and what is the story you will tell others?
- Why are you doing this work right now, in this season of your life?
But these are the questions that helped me zoom in on my focus for this year:
- Is there anything you have been putting off doing that you will no longer hold off on?
- Is there anything you have been doing that you are ready to complete or stop?
2024 was a rollercoaster of a year for my business (and hello, everyone else I know). I’ve been running my business for 5 years, and honestly, until recently, I hadn’t had to look very far for my work. I left a long stint at an agency equipped with energy, experience, and confidence. My early solo work led to referrals, which led to more referrals, and I was fortunate that I didn’t need to do much active business development.
That changed in 2024. I had to be more creative, more innovative, more curious, and BOLDER. And I know I’ll have to keep boldly exploring new ways of working in 2025. Which leads me to…
Naming a word of the year to guide my work + thought leadership.
I like to choose a word of the year to guide my work and my thought leadership. My past words of the year include INTENTION, COMMUNITY, CURIOUS, ENOUGH and CARE.
My word of the year for 2025 is BOLD.
I’m pulled to be BOLD because following the old playbooks isn’t working for me or my clients.
BOLD because I’m the most fulfilled when I step into my role as a kind but tough advisor to my clients. I’m not a very good “yes” person. I want to work through an idea to make it really good, and that means pushing back.
BOLD because as more of the internet is written by AI, the original human ideas so clearly stand out.
BOLD because the homepage of my website says: “The future of work is fueled by big ideas.” BIG ideas! Not bland, apologetic ones.
BOLD because as every industry and market gets more competitive, copying your competitor’s work doesn’t get you anywhere.
BOLD because we’re guaranteed do see a lot of disruption post-inauguration and I don’t have any patience for passive acceptance of political mayhem or bullying. Every person will need to use their voice as we remind each other what is right and good.
BOLD because just going through the motions is boring, and doesn’t achieve much.
BOLD because what do you have to gain by pumping out more bland ideas? And what do you have to lose by saying something interesting and new?
In 2025, the only path worth taking is the BOLD path.
In my work, being BOLD might look like…
- Setting big, bold goals to work with visionary thinkers.
- Pushing my clients to think bigger and bolder. Giving them a nudge to take more of their private conversations public. Reminding them to use their voice.
- Boldly setting my prices to reflect the quality of my work.
- Boldly making choices about how I spend my time. My goal: to build a life that’s about much more than work.
That’s my plan. Being bolder in every part of my work.
Try this mantra: “It’ll come to me.”
Do you choose a word of the year? Do you have signposts to guide you into the new year? Could a single word or phrase focus your thought leadership in 2025?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or you’re still figuring out what you want from the year, try this mantra: “It’ll come to me.”
I caught up with an old friend recently, and she reminded me of that phrase. It used to be one of my touchstones when life got busy. I use it to remind myself: You don’t have to have all the answers today. If you get an email that stresses you out, just sit on it for a beat. If you have a big question you’re grappling with, hold it a little less loosely.
Ideas don’t develop when we’re stressed and frantic. They need time and space to marinate. So let yourself off the hook, and know that the answer you need will come to you, but it might not be today.
That’s a healthier place to start as you develop your vision for 2025.
