Well, 2025 hasn’t gone quite as I had planned in these first few weeks. After a tough 2024 for me personally, goal setting and plans have been the last thing on my mind. For those of us here in Los Angeles, the weight of everything, especially after the recent events from the Palisades and Eaton fires, has been truly overwhelming. Many of us are feeling heavy-hearted and a bit lost. Yet, the one thing I hold onto is the incredible strength and unity of our community. We’ve come together in ways that remind me of the resilience that runs deep in our city.

Reflecting on this past year, I’ve taken time to acknowledge both the wins and the challenges. Now as we begin a new year, I encourage you to take a moment for yourself, too. What were your biggest wins in 2024, both personally and professionally? What challenges did you face, and what lessons did you learn along the way? Reflecting on these questions helps us not only move forward, but also celebrate the growth we’ve experienced, even in the hardest of times.

With all that’s happening, I won’t pretend that setting business goals and focusing on growth feels easy right now. But I’m taking small steps to find my way back to my purpose. It’s a bit like rebuilding after something like COVID, that shakes the foundation of small businesses and makes survival feel like an uphill battle.

Setting Up for 2025: Tips for Moving Forward in the Wake of Chaos

While we all may be feeling the heaviness right now, I truly believe that every small step we take matters. And that’s what I want to focus on as we move into 2025 together. If you’re finding it hard to think about setting big goals or grand plans right now, that’s okay. Let’s take this one moment at a time. But even small shifts can make a big difference as we push forward.

Here are a few tips to gently guide us as we continue to rebuild and refocus:

1. Start with Self-Care First

Taking care of yourself is the foundation for everything else. Before diving into business plans or goals, give yourself permission to rest and reset. Even small moments of stillness can help you regain the clarity you need to move forward. What brings you joy? What drains you? In times like this, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. Conduct an audit of your time and energy, what tasks are draining you without meaningful results? Are there areas of your business that you can delegate or refine? By recognizing what needs to be let go of, we can make space for what truly matters. As we move into 2025, it’s essential to protect your time and energy by focusing on the right things. What do I need to say ‘no’ to in 2025 to protect my time and focus?

2. Revisit the Why Behind Your Business

Sometimes, it’s hard to see the bigger picture when things feel uncertain. Take a moment to reflect on why you started your business in the first place. Is your business still aligned with your personal values and long-term vision? Clarifying your vision for 2025 is crucial, as it’ll help you stay focused on what matters most. What kind of leader do you want to be this year? How do you want your day-to-day life to feel as you balance business and personal growth? Reflecting on these questions can help provide a solid foundation for the year ahead. More examples would be, How do I want my day-to-day life to feel as I balance business and personal growth? What do I want my brand to represent to my clients/customers and my team?

3. Set Intentions, Not Just Goals

In times of uncertainty, it can be overwhelming to think about specific goals. Instead, set intentions. What kind of energy do you want to bring to 2025? What values do you want to prioritize? Focus on building a foundation based on your values rather than setting rigid targets. What mindset shifts or habits do you need to adopt to support your business growth?  What revenue, customer, or team benchmarks will you aim for?

4. Growth into Mindset

Growth requires a mindset shift. Ask yourself: Am I making decisions based on fear or in alignment with my vision? How can I be more proactive rather than reactive in my daily actions? By building this mindset, we empower ourselves to make decisions that are aligned with both our personal and business goals. Stepping outside your comfort zone is where true growth happens. Reflect on where you might be holding back due to fear of failure. What opportunities are you avoiding because they feel uncomfortable? Choose one bold move in Q1 – whether it’s pitching to a dream client, investing in a new tool, or delegating a key task – to help push your business forward.

5. Lean into Community & Find A Support System

Don’t underestimate the power of connection. Whether it’s your customers, peers, or support system, stay close to the people who lift you up. This year, let’s prioritize support, whether it’s in person or virtually. Let’s be there for each other, not just for business, but for emotional and mental support as well.

As you think about 2025, focus on building a support system. Who do you need on your team (mentors, coaches, collaborators)? What relationships can you nurture to keep yourself accountable and inspired? This year, let’s prioritize connection, both personally and professionally, because together, we’re stronger.

6. Take It One Step at a Time

This is the most important one: don’t rush. As we move through 2025, let’s pace ourselves. Focus on one thing at a time. Maybe it’s updating your website, reconnecting with a client, or scheduling a meeting to brainstorm. But don’t expect to have everything figured out in a day.

7. Celebrate Small Wins

Every step forward, no matter how small, deserves to be celebrated. Whether it’s finishing one task or getting through a tough day, give yourself credit for the effort you’re putting in. Tip: Share this celebration with someone on your support team that’s just as invested in your success as you are! The more love the better.

8. Prepare for the Unexpected

We’ve all learned this the hard way: life is unpredictable. Use this time to build some flexibility into your business plans. This might mean having a backup plan for your clients or setting up systems that make it easier to adapt to the unexpected.

Join Us for the Women Entrepreneurs’ Group: A Safe Space to Share, Learn, and Support Each Other

All this being said, I want to share something with you: We’re all in this together. If you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmed right now, I want to extend an invitation to join me at our next Women Entrepreneurs’ Group this March. We’ll be discussing how to manage a small business in the aftermath of a disaster, how to show up for clients when everything feels uncertain and how to care for yourself in the process. We will support each other, share insights, and remind ourselves that we are not alone in this journey. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is lean on one another as we navigate these tough times.

As we move forward in 2025, let’s lean on the power of community. Ours is one that I truly believe in, and I hope it provides you that support you’re searching for too. You are not alone, and we’re here to lift you up every step of the way.