Don’t Give Up on Your Year Just Yet
As we edge towards the end of the year, it’s easy to slip into the “oh well, there’s always next year” mindset, especially as we start gearing up for Christmas. But before you mentally close the door on 2025, I want you to pause.
There’s still time to make this year count and I don’t mean by cramming in more, but by focusing on what really matters to you right now.
Today we’re going to look at how you can make the most of November and December so that you can start 2026 ahead of the game.
Step 1: Review — what still matters?
Start by revisiting the goals you set earlier in the year. (Don’t worry if you’ve barely looked at them since spring, you’re not alone!)
Grab a notebook and ask yourself:
Which of these goals still matter to me?
Which no longer fit where I am now?
Which ones spark a bit of excitement when I think about them?
It’s perfectly okay for goals to change. Life changes, priorities shift and sometimes what we thought we wanted back in January simply doesn’t fit anymore.
Letting go of a goal isn’t failing, it’s freeing up space for what actually matters. In fact, when we get to this point in the year, reducing the number of goals we’re focussing on is actually beneficial. Be honest with yourself about how much time and energy you’re going to have too. We do have Christmas coming and that’s a busy and intense time for many people, so be realistic about what you’re going to be able to do.
Step 2: Refine — make it clear and doable
Once you’ve narrowed your list, make each goal specific enough to measure but flexible enough to fit real life.
Eg:
🚫 “Read more” → ✅ “Read an average of 20 pages a day ”
🚫 “Exercise more” → ✅ “Move my body 3 times a week”
This kind of goal gives you room for real progress without locking you into an all-or-nothing routine. Miss a day? No problem. You’re still building consistency, not chasing perfection.
Then remind yourself why each goal matters.
Is it about feeling fitter?
Spending less time on screens?
Reconnecting with your creativity?
Knowing your “why” turns goals from chores into choices.
Step 3: Plan — make it work for you
You’ve still got around two months left of the year, that’s plenty of time to make meaningful progress. So start by breaking each goal into small, doable actions. For example, if your big goal: “get fitter”, then some small actions might be:
Try one new workout this week
Go for a 20-minute walk twice
Stretch for 5 minutes each morning
Then look at your calendar. Be honest about what fits. Block in realistic time, even ten minutes counts. See if you can attach your new actions with any existing routines as this will make following through much easier.
Tracking helps too. Whether you use a planner, a checklist, or the notes app on your phone, seeing your progress builds momentum.
And remember, if you fall off track, just pick up where you left off. You haven’t lost progress, you’ve paused it.
Step 4: Reflect — look at what you’ve already done
Sometimes we can get a bit disappointed in ourselves for not achieving our goals, but when you feel like this, take a moment to look back at what you’ve already achieved this year. Not just the big goals, the everyday, often-overlooked things that keep life ticking along.
Think about it:
🍽 You’ve cooked hundreds of meals.
🚗 Done countless school runs.
💼 Managed work deadlines, home tasks and the never-ending to-do list.
🎉 Organised holidays, birthdays, family gatherings and everything in between.
💬 Checked in on friends.
❤️ Kept things going when life got tough.
That’s all progress. That’s effort. It shows you where your time and energy are going and it proves that you are more than capable. Action drives motivation and momentum, don’t ignore what you are doing.
And if your year didn’t go the way you planned? That’s okay too. You learned, adapted, and kept going, that’s worth celebrating in itself.
A Final Thought
Imagine what it’ll be like in January when other people are just starting to think about their goals and starting afresh. If you haven’t written off 2025, then you’ll be ahead of everyone else. You’ll have made progress and be a lot clearer in what you want to do and how you want to feel in 2026.
Small steps add up.
One week, one action, one bit of momentum at a time.
So don’t give up on your year just yet, the best part might still be waiting.
If you need some support, there are two ways I can support you:
💬 1:1 Coaching – if you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, I offer personal coaching to help you get clear on what you want and create practical steps that work in real life. You’ll have me in your corner as you move from overthinking to actually getting things done.
👯 The Coaching Circle – a supportive membership where you’ll get weekly goal setting, check-ins, virtual co-working and a community to keep you moving forward. Perfect if you want gentle accountability and a boost of motivation each week.
✨ Whichever option feels right, you don’t have to do this alone and future-you will thank you for starting today.
