How to Stay the Path in 2025: Motivation, Discipline, & Delusion

As the calendar flipped from 2024 to 2025, I found myself reflecting on what I’d accomplished—and what I hadn’t. I didn’t hit every goal I set for myself, and while some were wild and outrageous, I did achieve a few that mattered. I’m not disappointed.

I’ve never been one to wallow in self-pity when things don’t go as planned. Life has taught me that the full impact of our actions takes time to show up. Unintended consequences always find their way back, often long after we’ve forgotten what set them in motion.

Now, we’re halfway through January 2025. Tomorrow marks the inauguration of the 47th President—a symbolic moment that offers a chance to orient ourselves before the rollercoaster of the coming year fully picks up speed.

First, let me say this: don’t tie your identity to a political party or a single leader. Over the last decade and a half, I’ve watched as people’s sense of individuality has eroded. Hobbies pursued solely for joy have become rare, replaced by an obsession with self-improvement through a narrowly capitalist lens.

I don’t look to social media for life guidance either. Platforms flooded with “how to change your life” advice often feel shallow. And now, with TikTok’s ban in effect, we’re hearing influencers admit they fabricated the very content people built their routines around—faked health tips, staged workout results, misleading product endorsements.

Let me be clear: I’m not selling anything. I’m not sponsored. I’m not running paid ads. No brand is sending me free PR packages. Maybe one day I’ll accept such opportunities, but for now, the trust you place in my honesty is the most valuable return I could ask for.

This moment feels right to share these thoughts because we stand on the edge of significant societal change. While I can’t predict exactly what’s coming, I know the best approach is to keep a light heart and direct our discipline toward our dreams—what some might call our delusions.

The truth is, we don’t know what’s ahead. Even our most informed guesses are still just guesses. Only by living through it will we see the challenges and opportunities that await.

For those who find themselves endlessly consuming “winter arc” or “75 hard” content, or the endless productivity hacks on social media, I urge you to step back. Take the time to figure out who you want to be, not just what you want to achieve.

The decline in literacy among younger generations deeply concerns me. As someone straddling the line between Elder Gen Z and Young Millennial, I feel a responsibility to guide my peers—both younger and older. With siblings I care about and hopes of starting a family, I can’t help but think about what the future holds for society at large.

And when I say “society,” I mean more than just the future of work. While work ethic is valuable, there’s much more to life than professional success. Being human means connecting—to ourselves, to each other, and to the world around us.

Motivation, discipline, and a touch of delusion are what drive meaningful, lasting change. So be calm this year. Be the steady center of your own storm. You’ll handle any upheaval as long as you stay rooted in who you are.

If you haven’t yet discovered your own foundation—if you haven’t reflected on your values, learned from your experiences, or cared deeply for those who care for you—start now. By year’s end, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.