10 Things to Start Doing in 2025 (and get ahead of 99% of people)

One thing that high-achievers do differently is focusing on stuff most people ignore.

These small changes may often seem insignificant at first glance, but if implemented consistently (remember: consistency over intensity!), they can compound over time and massively transform your life.

Research on the “fresh start” phenomena (= events that mark new beginnings) shows that moments like New Year’s can psychologically motivate people to break old patterns and start new habits—if they focus on meaningful actions instead of empty resolutions.

In 2025, instead of chasing what everyone else is, try these 10 practical steps.

They’re simple, they work, and they’ll put you ahead of 99% of people who’ll quit before February.

#1

Don’t just set yourself ambitious goals—that won’t bring you anywhere. For each goal, make a list of all the steps you need to take to achieve it.

Go into the nitty-gritty details and schedule them into your calendar. High achievers don't rely on motivation, they rely on systems and habits.

#2

The quality of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. So stop waiting for external circumstances to change—you’ll be waiting forever.

Instead, pay attention to the way you talk to yourself.

Replace self-defeating thoughts with ones that help you take action. This isn’t about fake positivity. When your inner dialogue improves, so will your decisions, your habits, and ultimately, your results.

#3

Investing in your relationships isn’t just about expanding your network—it’s about hyper-selecting who gets to influence your energy and productivity.

There are only two kinds of people in your life: energy suckers and energy givers.

An energy sucker is someone who walks around looking for chances to unload their problems, issues, and unsolicited advice on others. Weed them out ruthlessly.

#4

Start taking action every single day—make it a habit!

It can be the teeny tiniest of all. One paragraph written. One important call made. One page read. 10 minutes of learning something new. A half-an-hour walk.

Small doesn’t mean insignificant. Consistent steps will crush the biggest goals left untouched. Action creates momentum, and momentum changes everything.

#5

Put your to-do list under a microscope and ask yourself: What proportion of your daily tasks is focused on other people’s needs and goals?

If the answer is “most of it,” you’ve got a problem.

Stop letting others’ priorities hijack your time. Your to-do list should reflect your goals first.

Trim the obligations, set boundaries, and get laser-focused on what actually matters to you.

#6

Stop feeling guilty about your past choices or about your “failures.” We make mistakes not only to become better people but also to have better lives.

High-achievers don’t wallow in regret or waste time on shame.

Every misstep is analyzed, learned from, and turned into fuel for their next win.

Btw, the main difference? They don’t just move on—they move up.

#7

Comfort doesn’t go hand in hand with making a difference. Get used to the fact that living a good life can be terrifying.

Instead of avoiding your fears, learn how to coexist with them, understand them, and control them.

An average person aspires to break their fears. An extraordinary person turns them into a weapon to go after what they want.

#8

Self-care doesn’t slow you down. It doesn’t hinder your progress. It doesn’t devalue your vision. It doesn’t make you weak, lazy, or unambitious.

High-achievers don’t burn out because they neglect themselves—they stay on top because they know when to rest, reset, and refocus.

Taking care of yourself is what keeps you in the game, sharp and ready to win.

#9

People don’t pay you for your time. They pay you for the value you bring into their lives.

Look at every goal you’ve set, every skill you’re learning, and every step you’re taking. Ask, “Will this solve real problems? Will this make me indispensable?”

If the answer is no, stop wasting your energy. Focus on what makes you more skilled, more useful, and impossible to ignore.

#10

And finally, memorize this: Busyness is not a virtue! In fact, it’s a trap.

You can always earn more money, but you can’t retrieve wasted time. So stop using a packed schedule as a shield for lack of direction.

Real productivity is about cutting what doesn’t matter and doubling down on what does. Time is your most valuable asset—treat it as such.

Remember that the world doesn’t care about your plans until you make them happen.

Time’s ticking—use it or lose it.