The start of a new year offers a collective reset—a chance to prioritize what matters, shed what doesn’t serve you, and focus on growth. As 2024 winds down, I’ve taken time to reflect on milestones that mattered, along with the challenges, achievements, and valuable lessons the year brought.
One milestone I’m particularly proud of is – this – my 50th blog post! What began as a creative outlet has grown into a platform for sharing my skating journey and connecting with others. Hearing the stories of fellow skaters and professionals has been deeply rewarding and a source of creative growth.
Looking back over the past year, persistence and intentional effort were the key drivers for success. Watching old training videos reminded me of progress I often overlook when struggling with a certain element. Moments like landing a new jump or managing competition nerves highlight the importance of celebrating wins, no matter how small. As Steve Jobs famously said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
Setting Goals for 2025
Goal setting is personal, find what works for you. While skating goals like mastering a new jump or passing a test are often the easiest to identify, I’ve learned to value less tangible goals, such as maintaining mental clarity, balancing training with work and life off the ice, and embracing the process. After reflecting, I start by writing down my goals without judgment. Then I organize them into categories—like skating, off-ice training, work, and life—and jot down one or two actionable steps under each so I have a place to start and a path leading towards the goal. Remember, you can set goals any time—it doesn’t have to be January.
Celebrating Milestones
Every step forward matters. Whether it’s a small improvement or a significant breakthrough, celebrating these moments fuels motivation. Journaling has been an area I’ve explored and for the most part liked, it helps me capture thoughts after productive or challenging sessions. I also document warm-up routines that work well for competitions so I can replicate them. Videos of training sessions are another powerful tool for tracking progress over time, especially when improvement feels slow. Celebrating these moments fuels motivation and builds resilience.
The Power of Community
Connecting with fellow skaters is also very valuable. Be it a quick chat with my coach to discuss a concern or share a success, noticing your training mates who share the ice with you day after day and appreciating their hard work, success and struggles along the way, and learning from others’ journeys reinforce the fact that none of us are skating alone.
As 2024 closes, I’m filled with gratitude for a year of growth. Here’s to a new year of fresh goals, exciting milestones, and deeper connections. What are you celebrating as the year ends, and what are you looking forward to in 2025?
Great advice and congrats 🍾 on your 50th post! Nice follow-through to take this from concept to useful and fun result! Love your ability to remain agile and ever exploring! Look forward to the fresh ideas and integration of skating and life! Way to go- looking forward to the next 50+!