title: Crafting Your 2025 Leadership Narrative with Three Essential Elements
The arrival of a new year brings with it the awareness of time passing by. The implicit message in those popular new year's resolutions is that we strive to become better versions of ourselves. Yet, as we step into 2025 with fresh resolutions, we carry the weight of our past - our habits, history, dreams, achievements, and missteps. Effective leadership storytelling can help us navigate this journey, reminding us of our ambitions and guiding us towards our goals.
Approximately half of us make new year's resolutions, but research suggests that the excitement often vanishes as March approaches, with most individuals abandoning their goals by then. To counteract this, we can develop a leadership narrative - a letter to our future self, delivered at a pivotal moment - to help us progress towards our professional aspirations.
This new year, besides embracing your new year's resolutions, take some time to compose a letter to your future self. Reflect on the points below and write them down, without overthinking your responses. Set a timer, answer these questions, and then take a 24-hour break before reviewing them. When you eventually reread your letter, you can make any necessary adjustments to your objectives.
#1. who are you now?
Begin by taking stock of the person you are now. Reflect on the elements that have shaped and influenced you:
- What took you by surprise in 2024?
- Which aspects of 2024 would you like to see more or less of in 2025?
- What excites you the most right now?
- What changes do you want to bring about in 2025?
- What inspired you to pursue a new goal (or goals) for 2025?
- How does your career currently resonate with you?
- Where, when, and with whom do you feel the most content?
- What concerns you the most?
#2. what message do you want to send to your future self?
Next, contemplate the last time you achieved a significant goal. Share the story of your triumph in your letter, focusing on:
- How did you feel upon achieving your goal?
- What kind of motivation sustained you throughout the process?
- From whom did you seek encouragement?
- What challenges did you encounter along the way and how did you overcome them?
- When did motivation wane and from where did you lose focus?
- What goals do you intend to set for yourself in 2025?
For example, if your intent is to present your ideas more confidently in meetings, remind yourself of the times you managed to speak up efficiently. Recall the positive feedback you received and how empowered you felt. What would you have missed out on by keeping silent?
When setting a goal for 2025, draw on the lessons from your past successes to energize your future self. Consider:
- What obstacles will you encounter in your quest for this goal?
- Is your objective still relevant to you in a few months?
- Where and from whom can you find the encouragement you require?
Malin Leschly, Chief Design Officer at Logitech, emphasizes the importance of storytelling for leaders: "We use stories to make sense of the world. Only through true listening can we move beyond the initial story and gain a deeper understanding." Author Dr. Jaiya John adds, "Your inner story shapes your outer life."
In your letter, write about your experiences as sincerely as you can while leaving space for your future self to share their thoughts. This self-reflection could offer the motivation you need mid-year to revisit my goals and questions for further reflection.
#3. when do you need to hear it?
Choose a specific date to send yourself the letter. Determine the point when you lost momentum for your past resolutions and set that as your reminder to send yourself a new letter this time. After writing the letter, place it in a location where you won't stumble upon it daily. You can also create a calendar reminder to reread the letter or send it via email with a delayed delivery function.
Keep in mind that 'done is better than perfect.' If certain questions resonate with you and align with your objectives, there's no need to overcomplicate your letter. A simple bullet-point list or a quick scribble on a note will suffice. The letter does not have to be formal or perfect; just ensure you complete it and look forward to revisiting it in the following months.
Effective leadership storytelling can unlock more than just career milestones, offering a transformative perspective on ourselves and our potential as leaders. Enhance your capabilities through a storytelling course or by sharing your leadership story with others.
Sources:
- Forbes Health Survey
- Harvard Business Review
- Baylor College of Medicine report
- American Psychological Association
- Drive Research Study
As we approach 2025, I encourage you to incorporate a new tradition into your new year's resolutions. Create a letter to your future self, outlining your current state, ambitions, and goals. Reflecting on where you are now and what inspired your goals for 2025 can help maintain your motivation throughout the year. For instance, if your goal is to present ideas more confidently, remind yourself of past successes and how you overcame challenges.
By setting your letter to be delivered on a specific date, you can create a moment of accountability and refreshed motivation. Approximately half of people abandon their new year's resolutions by March, so planning to send yourself this letter can help combat this statistic and guide you towards achieving your 2025 goals.
