5 Tips for You to Finish December Strong and Be Successful in 2025!

As 2024 winds down, December often feels like a sprint to the finish line. Between holiday celebrations, family commitments, and the busy day-to-day, it’s easy to lose momentum on your personal goals.

You get to decide whether this season will be extremely stressful or be a perfect opportunity for you to finish the year strong and set a solid foundation for a successful 2025.

I'm going to share with you five practical tips to help you maximize your December and step into the new year with purpose and confidence.

1. Celebrate Your Wins

   Take this time to reflect on what you accomplished this year. In 2024, I ran my first 10k and it was such a rewarding experience for me. Think also about the challenges you were able to overcome and the lessons you learned. Celebrating your wins, big or small - is a powerful way to build your confidence and motivation. As an exercise, write down at least three achievements from 2024 and think about how you can build on those successes in the year ahead. Use your reflections to help you set clear intentions for the future.

   
   

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals for December

   With only a few weeks left in the year, now isn't the time to try to lose the unwanted 10 pounds. Instead, choose one small, specific action that is in alignment with your larger goal. Maybe it’s walking 8,000 steps daily, drinking more water, or fitting in a 15 minute workout, 3x a week. Small wins create big successes, and finishing December with a sense of accomplishment will give you the boost you need to start 2025 strong.

   
   

3. Prioritize Your Self-Care During the Holiday Hustle

   Keeping up with the holiday season demands can be overwhelming, leaving you with little time for yourself. It's even more important now to take care of your physical and mental health. Get outdoors and take in some energizing Vitamin D during the daylight hours, schedule your workouts like appointments, make time for activities like yoga or stretching to restore, and get those 7-9 hours of nightly sleep! A little self-care goes a long way in keeping your energy levels up and your stress levels down.

   
   

4. Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind

   A clutter-free environment helps create mental clarity and sets the tone for a fresh start. Spend an afternoon decluttering one small area of your home, like your closet, kitchen, or workspace. I finally untangled a challenging mass of necklaces in my jewelry drawer that I had given up on and it felt so satisfying! Simple acts of decluttering (or untangling) can give you a sense of control and accomplishment. Mentally, consider making a list of anything that’s been weighing on you or taking up too much real estate in your mind. Letting go of what no longer serves you, both physically or emotionally - will free up space for new blessings and opportunities.

   
   

5. Create Your Vision for 2025

   Before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, take time to visualize what you want your 2025 to look like. I always ask my clients, "what goals do you want to achieve?", "how do you think you'll feel when you achieve them?" A year from now, what would you like to have accomplished?

   Create a vision board, write down your intentions, or set a theme word for the year. Visualizing your goals will help align your actions and habits with your long-term aspirations. Start your new year with a roadmap for success that excites, motivates and even scares you. Imagine the feeling when you accomplish them!

   
   

   So don't let December be a month of stress and burnout with you crawling to the 2024 finish line. By focusing on small, intentional actions, you can finish the year feeling proud and prepared for what’s to come. It’s not too late to end the year on a high note, every step forward counts as a win.

   
   

   Here's to making 2025 your best year yet! And if you need support in getting started, I've got you!

   
   

   *Connect with like-minded women in midlife who are committed to improving their fitness—join my private Facebook group, StrongHer Sisters, and be part of an empowering community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/477553057237825

   
   

   

   Coach Pat is a Menopause Fitness Specialist, Precision Nutrition Coach, and has contributed her expertise to publications such as Women’s Health, Prevention, CNBC Make It and HealthDay.