Another December, another yearly review of resolutions and goals! I hope you were able to mark off the really important ones for 2025. And if you’re like me, you’re thinking of your plans for the upcoming year and how to make them happen.
Here are my top tips for achieving ANY goal. If you don't follow these 6 for '26, you'll be a lot less likely to look back a year from now and say you achieved the accomplishments you set for yourself now.
Follow these 6 for 26 and make it your best year yet!
1. PRIORITIZE YOU.
You are the main character. Make your mental and physical health priority #1. You cannot give 100% when you’re not 100%.
Get the right amount of sleep and don’t put off rest when needed. Take your vitamins or supplements, and drink water. Exercise regularly — when you can, how you can. Do mental health check-ins and take breaks when needed.
There’s only one you, and you need physical and mental wellness to achieve your goals.
2. USE DISCERNMENT.
This is a great time of the year to remember the phrase "Bad planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."
When existing deadlines are trying to get met as new ones are created, practice discernment and get better results in both. There is a difference between "OMG, I need to drop everything and do this now" to "Okay, that date is getting close, I need to be aware and prepare" to "This can wait until later."
Practice how to separate emergencies from priorities from this-can-waits, and see how much clarity you'll gain (not to mention, free time)!
3. DEFINE YOUR CAREER.
This is a big one. Where do you see yourself in 3 years … 5 years …10 years?
Will you be behind the chair? Owning a business? Launching a product line? Mastering a new skill, or specializing in a niche service? Entering a beauty or barber competition? Teaching?
Once you determine what you want to be doing, it's just a matter of planning how to get there. Research your options and figure out your best path to that goal.
Many times it’s not a lack of motivation, but a lack of direction that causes burnout and stagnation. Define your future career, make a plan, and go for it!
4. REMEMBER YOUR "WHY."
Every race has a starting point. Remembering why you started this career in the first place will help motivate you to stay on the right path. Cherishing your why is the best motivation for those “rainy Tuesdays”.
Often times, remembering and identifying your why provides the clarity to set goals or even chart a new course, because the current one just isn't honoring it.
5. CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE.
After figuring out what you want to do, find people who have gotten to where you want to be, or who are taking the same path as you. You'll find them at in-person education summits, beauty business conferences, hair shows, state board meetings, and even community events.
While it's okay to network from afar via technology, there's nothing like a face-to-face meeting to connect you with other like-minded individuals.
This space or role you are looking into is a new journey. Embrace it, and be ready to generate ideas from other people. They might introduce you to a whole different approach you never thought of.
6. STAY CONSISTENT.
Your journey will have its ebbs and flows. Consistency is the key to real influence and success.
Every day! Even if only 10 minutes, even when you aren’t motivated, work on yourself. Success breeds motivation. And you know what breeds success? Consistency!
Therefore, staying focused, staying disciplined even on the hard days will make your motivated days that much better on your road to success.
You’ve got this! And as always, happy studying, people!
Thomas “Mr. Stateboard” James is an Air Force Intelligence veteran who became a dual licensed instructor in both Cosmetology and Barbering. He will be teaching "Cutting Beyond Limits: Mastering Curly & Textured Hair," "Gamify Your Classroom: Boost Engagement and Deepen Learning," and "Men’s Grooming for Students" at the Be+Well | Beauty & Wellness Conference in New York, March 8-10. Register here.