Own it, AI it, Write it, Mind it.

Four wishes for 2025.

Boom! Next week, it will be 2025! Just like that, the first quarter of this new century is almost over. Before the retrospectives begin, here's how we get through the last year of the first 25 years of the 21st century, owning our outcomes, using AI to our benefit, rising above it, and staying strong.

Own it.

We own our outcomes. No matter how solid a plan you have, stuff happens. Be ready to adapt. When something happens that you don't like, and you hurt, sit with your emotions. I promise you: the more you give your feelings permission to be what they are, the faster they pass. Every time you solve an unanticipated problem, celebrate what you learned. When I reached out to Reggie Butler (he deserves a full post) to let him know I was moving on, he said:

“It's the choices we make that shape our "next."

So simple.

AI It.

AI application development will accelerate to warp speed. We should be using it all the time and in every task to amplify our potential. If you feel apprehensive about it, get over it and make it work for you. Oh, if I had had access to these technologies earlier in my career, how much more I would have done! Read avidly about new things being launched weekly, and don't get caught up in debates about which tool is 'better'—explore them all. I'm in constant conversation with both Gemini and ChatGPT, I use Grammarly, and I highly recommend Notebook LM (the Audio Overviews are a game changer if you prefer listening over reading). I can’t wait for what’s coming next.

Write It.

In a world increasingly driven by AI, our uniquely human capacity for original thought is our most valuable asset. We rise above AI by cultivating and acting on our best ideas, which often emerge when our minds are relaxed and free to wander—in the shower, during a run or walk, or even while reading when a single sentence sparks a new insight. Capture these fleeting moments—otherwise, they're likely to vanish. It's the act of capturing the idea that allows it to take shape and eventually become reality. Personal tip: I use Google Keep to record notes or record a voice memo.

Google Keep notes: sentences that resonated, insights from books I read and scrapped writings

Mind it.

I'm making a commitment to prioritize my mental well-being to survive the very likely ups and downs of 2025. Please consider doing the same. Since what works for one person may not work for another, here's what I’ll do: I'll set clear boundaries around my time, especially for focused writing and thinking to create content that resonates. I'll also prioritize self-care through regular exercise (I love my barre classes, where I'm the clumsiest in the room but improving every time!). I will nurture my family and friends. Whichever stretch of road I find myself in: a long, straight stretch, a path full of curves and grades, or stopped on a shoulder — they always refill my cup.

I wish you all a very very peaceful end of year. See you in 2025.