As we wrap up 2024 and set our sights on the horizon of 2025, it's the perfect time to take stock. It's tempting to just keep plowing ahead, but I find that a thoughtful look back is where the real magic begins. Not to dwell on what we didn't accomplish, but to understand the "why" behind it. What roadblocks tripped us up? What support systems were missing? In my recent Third Power Life podcast episode, I talked about this very process. It's about recognizing the patterns, the hurdles, and then, with that clarity, crafting a personal development plan that truly sets us up for success. We've all got those nagging "should-haves" from years pastthe projects we started but never finished, the skills we meant to learn, the relationships we wanted to nurture. But here's the thing: We can use that knowledge as fuel, not as baggage. By identifying the barriers, we can build the bridges to overcome them in the new year.

Now, once we've got that retrospective wisdom, it's time to start charting our course for 2025. And at the heart of this journey lies something fundamental: your personal purpose. I harp on this a lot, and for good reason. Without a clear destination, you're just wandering. Think of it like this: if you hop in your car without a destination in mind, you might end up somewhere... but it's probably not where you wanted to be. Having a personal purpose is like having a compass, a North Star guiding your journey. It's not just about setting goals; it's about aligning those goals with a deeper sense of who you are and what you're meant to contribute to the world. As Napoleon Hill talks about, not being a "drifter".

But let's get practical. How do we translate this grand vision into actionable steps? This is where a unique approach to goal setting comes into play, one that goes beyond the typical SMART goals. In the podcast, I break down my three-tiered framework: achievement goals, growth goals, and legacy goals. It's a concept that aligns perfectly with my atomic triad of foundation, framework, and manifestation.

Achievement Goals: Your Foundation
These are the tangible, measurable milestones that often come to mind when we think of "goal setting." They're your SMART goalsspecific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Think of them as the building blocks of your success. Examples include losing a certain amount of weight, increasing your client base by a specific percentage, hitting a particular revenue target, or running a marathon. While achievement goals are essential, they are just the starting point. They represent the "what" you want to accomplish in the relatively short term, typically within a year or a few years. It is all about what do we want.

Growth Goals: Your Framework
This is where we shift from "what" to "who." Growth goals are about the person you need to become to achieve those foundational goals. They focus on personal development, skill acquisition, and character refinement. What areas do you need to improve upon? What new skills must you master? What limiting beliefs do you need to overcome? Perhaps you need to become a more effective communicator, a stronger leader, or a more disciplined individual. Maybe you need to cultivate greater patience, empathy, or resilience. This is where you start seeing yourself as a leader. Growth goals are about expanding your capacity, stretching beyond your comfort zone, and evolving into the best version of yourself. Growth goals are the difference between just having goals and actually achieving them.

Legacy Goals: Your Manifestation
Now we arrive at the pinnaclethe "why" behind it all. Legacy goals connect back to your overarching personal purpose. They are about the enduring impact you want to make on the world, the mark you want to leave long after you're gone. What do you want to be remembered for? How do you want to contribute to something larger than yourself? What will your legacy be for future generations? These are the goals that will sustain you through the inevitable challenges, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt. They provide the deep motivation, the fire in your belly, that keeps you going when the going gets tough. Your legacy goals are your anchor in the storm, reminding you why you started this journey in the first place. For me, it's about ensuring that the song "Cats in the Cradle" becomes just a song, not a story about anyone's life. That vision fuels me even when I'm tired or unmotivated. Legacy goals give you the strength to push on.

So, as you embark on creating your personal development plan for 2025, remember to look back with a discerning eye, define your purpose with unwavering clarity, and set goals that resonate on multiple levelsachievement, growth, and legacy. If you're ready to dive deeper into uncovering your personal purpose and connecting with a community of like-minded individuals on a similar quest, I invite you to explore the Round Table. This is where we come together to support, challenge, and inspire each other to live our fullest, most impactful lives. Remember I'm not just a coach or speaker, I'm right here with you on this quest. Because together, we can stop drifting and become the Commanders of our own lives. Let's make 2025 the year we truly start living our Third Power Life.