August 16, 2025

How to Set Goals That Actually Matter: A Digital Entrepreneur’s Guide to Owning 2025

Podcast Episode: Burn the Resolutions: A No-BS Blueprint to Own 2025

Who told you that New Year’s resolutions actually work? Because if someone did, they lied their ass off.

Here’s the brutal truth: we all wake up to the same bullshit on January 1st that we went to sleep with on December 31st. Our lives don’t magically transform because we crossed some arbitrary date on the calendar.

But what if I told you there’s a completely different way to approach goal-setting that actually creates lasting change? A way that’s rooted in reality instead of fantasy, and builds real momentum instead of setting you up for failure by February?

The Year That Changed Everything

Before we dive into how to actually own 2025, let me tell you about my 2024 – because it’s probably been the most extraordinary and challenging year I’ve had in my 11 years as an online entrepreneur.

Early this year, I was pulling in almost $200,000 months selling digital courses with Master Resale Rights. I felt on top of the world. But here’s what nobody talks about: you and your reputation are only as strong as the market you’re associated with online.

I found myself sandwiched between being integrity-filled Vicki – committed to transparency and honesty – and selling a product that began developing a reputation I no longer wanted to be part of. The messaging in that space was getting muddied with pipe dreams and get-rich-quick schemes.

So I made one of the hardest decisions of my entrepreneurial career: I walked away from $200,000 months to protect my integrity and build something that was 100% mine.

The next few months? Weeks at a time with huge income lulls while I went to work creating my own course suite. It was terrifying, uncertain, and exactly what I needed to do.

The Real Year-End Audit You Need to Do

Forget the typical “what went good, what went bad” reflection. Let’s dig deeper with questions that actually matter:

Energy Audit:

  • What drained your energy this year?
  • What wasn’t worth it?
  • What was worth it?

Growth Audit:

  • Where did you play small this year?
  • What distractions kept you from stepping into your power?
  • Where did you procrastinate and why?

Attachment Audit:

  • What have you been holding onto because you’re afraid of what happens if you let it go?

Here’s a powerful exercise: write down everything you consider a “failure” from this year. Everything that didn’t go right, what you wanted to happen that didn’t, what happened that you didn’t want. Write it all down.

Then literally burn it. Yes, with an actual flame. Put it in a bowl, light a match, and watch it turn to ash. It’s a powerful way to leave that shit in 2024 and not carry it into 2025.

Why Traditional Goal-Setting Is Broken

Stop setting goals you don’t actually believe in. You know what I’m talking about – those arbitrary numbers you pull out of thin air because you think you “should” want them, not because they light your soul on fire.

People set goals to check a box, to look busy, to impress others on Instagram. But they don’t have a visceral connection to what they’re chasing.

Here’s my question for you: Who do you want to be by the end of 2025?

Not what do you want to have. Not how much money you want to make. Who do you want to be?

Do you want to be confident? A leader? Debt-free? Less stressed? More powerful?

The Power of Identity-Based Goals

Instead of “I’m going to make $100,000 this year,” try this: “I am someone who shows up every day, serves my audience relentlessly, and follows through on my promises to myself.”

That’s an identity-based goal. And it’s from this place that you can make choices based on who you want to become, not just what you want to achieve.

Here’s the game-changer: ask yourself what habits or behaviors that version of you has. Then start embodying those habits now.

Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

If you don’t define success for yourself, the world defines it for you. And the world’s definition is usually about money, status, and vanity metrics.

Maybe success for you in 2025 looks like:

  • 10 more sales instead of 10,000
  • 100 more followers, not 100,000
  • Eating dinner with your family without phones on the table
  • Not checking your phone first thing every morning

Here’s how I know I’m successful: when I feel clear, peaceful, impactful, and powerful. When I have those feelings in my business and decisions, that’s my version of success.

Success isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it sure as hell shouldn’t be defined by what looks good on social media.

Your No-BS Action Plan for January

January is your test month. You either start with intention and momentum, or you let the month disappear while you slip back into old habits.

1. Set Non-Negotiables (Think Small)

Everyone says “think big.” I’m telling you to think small. What’s one tiny daily habit you can commit to?

Maybe it’s not sleeping with your phone next to you. Start with January 1st to January 15th. That’s it. When January 15th comes, evaluate: How did I feel? What changed? Do I want to extend this for another two weeks?

Self-confidence is built by keeping promises to yourself. Start small and build.

2. Make One Money Move

What’s one thing you’ll create, sell, or promote in January to start strong? For me, it’s launching my membership for intermediate entrepreneurs.

Don’t overcomplicate it. Pick one thing and follow through.

3. Set Clear Boundaries

What are you saying no to in 2025? Distractions? Time-wasters? Toxic people? People-pleasing?

Decide now, based on what your future self would want you to choose.

The One Bold, Scary Decision

If you could make one bold, terrifying decision right now that would change everything for you in 2025, what would it be?

Mine? Investing a significant amount of money into ads. It could be the best decision I ever made or the worst. We’re about to find out.

What’s yours? Starting that business? Creating that content? Launching that course? Leaving that toxic job or relationship?

Bold moves create momentum. Fear and inaction shrink when you take the first step.

Your Future Self Is Waiting

I want you to imagine yourself one year from today – December 30th, 2025. You’re looking back on the year feeling proud, fulfilled, free, and successful.

What did you create that made you feel that way? What habits did you build? What hard decisions did you make and actually commit to? Most importantly, what did you have to let go of to become this version of yourself?

The next 12 months are coming whether you’re ready or not. Who you’ll be at the end of 2025 depends on what you do, what you choose, and what structures you put into place today.

The Bottom Line

2025 is going to be fucking epic for those of us willing to do the work, make the hard decisions, and trust ourselves through the transformation.

Stop chasing goals that don’t align with what you actually want. Stop setting resolutions to impress others. Start making decisions from the place of who you want to become.

Your future self is counting on the choices you make today. Don’t let her down.


Ready to dive deeper into building your digital empire? Subscribe to Beyond the BS and follow me on Instagram @the_no_bs_newyorker.


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