Make it Happen: Your Best Year Yet Starts with a Plan
By Suzie Thoraval
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A professor stood before a class with a large empty jar. She filled it with big rocks and asked if it was full. The students agreed. She then added small pebbles, which filled the gaps around the rocks, and asked again. They said it was full. Finally, she poured water into the jar, filling the remaining spaces. The professor explained: if you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never fit them in later. The big rocks are your most important priorities—fit them in first, or the less important things will crowd them out.
As the year draws to a close, it’s tempting to focus solely on tying up loose ends and ticking off the last of your 2024 goals. But this is also the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and plan for 2025.
By making time now to set your priorities for the year ahead, you can avoid falling into reactive mode and instead lead with clarity and purpose.
Planning is about identifying your "big rocks" first—the goals and priorities that matter most—and then working out where the smaller tasks fit in.
When leaders neglect to pack their strategic essentials first, they risk being weighed down by distractions, unable to reach their most important destinations.
The Power of Planning Ahead
Planning for 2025 now is not just about logistics; it’s about intention. Research shows that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. Leaders who take the time to reflect on what worked well and what didn’t in the past year are better positioned to adapt and succeed.
Planning ahead also combats the overwhelm of today’s fast-paced world. By focusing on your "big rocks," you’ll create a buffer against reactivity, giving you the mental clarity to tackle challenges and seize opportunities.
Strategies for Planning Your 2025 in a Busy Season
Reflect and Review: Take an hour to reflect on 2024. What worked well? What could be improved? Jot down key lessons to guide your planning for the year ahead.
Identify Your Big Rocks: What are the three to five strategic goals that matter most to you in 2025? Write them down, tell someone else about them for accountability and make them your priority.
Time Block for Planning: Schedule 1–2 dedicated sessions in your calendar before the end of the year to focus purely on planning. Guard this time fiercely.
Collaborate with Your Team: Involve key stakeholders in your planning. Alignment now will save time and reduce missteps later.
Start Small: Don’t try to plan every detail for the year ahead. Create a flexible framework that you can revisit and refine as needed.
Here are five questions to help you plan now for the future without feeling overwhelmed:
Reflection
As you look back on this year, what are you most proud of? What challenges helped you learn the most?
Prioritisation
If you could only achieve three key outcomes in 2025, what would they be and why?
Alignment
How do your goals for next year align with your long-term vision and values? What needs to change to stay on track?
Actionable Planning
What small steps could you take now to set yourself up for a strong start in January, even though you are busy right now?
Energy Management
How will you manage your energy so you can plan for next year while still keeping up with everything happening this season?
The Benefits of Forward Planning
When you take the time to plan for the year ahead, you not only boost your chances of success—you also give yourself peace of mind. If you have planned a break over the holiday season, you can relax, knowing you have already identified what’s most important to you next year. Imagine looking back this time next year and knowing you achieved what mattered most. With your big rocks in place, you’ll have built a strong foundation for the year, no matter what surprises come your way.
As Anne Sweeney says, “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”
Let’s make 2025 your best year yet. Start now, actively identify your big rocks, and prepare to lead with purpose.
How will you make time to plan for 2025 during the busy end-of-year rush?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
