ILLUSTRATION BY RUTH MACAPAGAL
In my career and role as the founder and global chair of the Tom Oliver Group, I have advised the presidents of some of the world’s largest companies. And I have never seen anyone at the end of their career who said: “I should have spent more time at the office!”
So let’s make 2025 not only the next year for your business but also the best year for you—work smart, not hard. Spend more time with the people you love. And achieve professional and personal breakthroughs by being more balanced.
READ: Goal setting in 2025? It pays to be kind than just ‘SMART’
As we approach 2025, it’s the perfect time for CEOs and business owner-operators to reflect on the past year and strategically set the tone for the year ahead. For many high-performing leaders, the turning of the calendar isn’t just a symbolic milestone; it’s an opportunity to recalibrate priorities, refine goals and reinvest in what truly matters.
To make the most of this fresh start, let’s explore how you can integrate actionable strategies into your personal and professional life—and learn from examples of others who do this well.
Your magical 5: Reflect on the past year’s highlights
One simple yet profound exercise is to review your photo gallery or journal and identify your top five standout moments from the past year. These highlights—whether personal achievements, professional wins or cherished moments with family or friends—provide a snapshot of what mattered most.
Reflect on why these moments were significant. Try to find the common denominator between these. Were they tied to specific goals, spontaneous experiences or a combination of both? The more you find the common denominator, the more of these moments you can create in 2025.
Celebrate wins and embrace lessons learned
As part of your year-end review, it’s essential to celebrate your wins—both big and small. Recognize your team’s accomplishments and your own personal milestones. Then look at your personal life—outside of the office. What were your wins there? Do you need to rebalance?
I remember a CEO friend of mine who told me one year into his retirement: “I was shocked when I realized that I had missed most of my youngest son growing up—I had no real connection with him.” Don’t wait for such a realization to hit you after retirement. Make the right changes now.
Equally important is assessing setbacks or challenges and what they taught you. Remember, growth often stems from discomfort and mistakes.
Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, regularly reflects on her failures as much as her successes. She credits her father for encouraging a mindset where failure was viewed as an opportunity to learn. In fact, she encourages her team to share their “fail of the week” during meetings, fostering a culture where lessons learned become fuel for innovation.
Reimagine your time: The currency of living
Time is the most precious asset any of us have. With the average life expectancy around 77.5 years for men in the United States, it’s important to recognize how fleeting it can be. Women live longer, true. But then again life expectancy can be less in many emerging countries. No matter where you live, even though we all dream of living to 100, few of us actually do.
Ask yourself critically: How are you spending your time? Many leaders unconsciously trade their time for tasks that don’t align with their larger purpose or passions.
Jeff Weiner, former CEO of LinkedIn, popularized the concept of scheduling “blocks of nothing” into his calendar. This deliberate downtime allowed him to think strategically, process complex challenges and avoid burnout. In 2025, consider carving out similar blocks in your week—time for reflection, creative thinking or simply being present with loved ones.
Start the new year with rituals and traditions
Many leaders embrace specific rituals to close out the old year and start the new. These rituals provide structure and meaning while setting the tone for a productive year.
Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, famously takes a “Think Week” twice a year, often using the December break to read voraciously, jot down big ideas and reflect on long-term goals.
In many family-run enterprises, the year’s end involves gathering the family to revisit the company’s mission. For example, the Mars family (owners of Mars Inc.) meets annually to discuss values, succession planning and the vision for their legacy. This ritual helps align personal and professional goals.
Oprah Winfrey journals extensively at year’s end, writing down her achievements and setting her intentions for the new year. This personal ritual not only clarifies her focus but also serves as a record of growth over time.
Work smarter, not harder
As you approach 2025, one of the most impactful shifts you can make is to work smarter, not harder. This means reassessing your systems, delegating tasks and leveraging technology to free up time for high-value activities. It also means setting clear boundaries to protect your personal life.
Tony Hsieh, the late CEO of Zappos, was a master of systems thinking. He invested heavily in creating a company culture where employees felt empowered and engaged, reducing the need for micromanagement. Similarly, focusing on building a strong team—whether in a Fortune 500 company or a small family business—can help you delegate effectively and focus on strategic priorities.
Innovate boldly in the new year
The new year is also a time to think big and take calculated risks. Innovation doesn’t always mean launching a groundbreaking product; it can also mean rethinking internal processes, exploring untapped markets or investing in your team’s development.
Look at how Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, returned to the company to spearhead the reinvention of its brand and customer experience. He focused on authenticity, introducing initiatives like ethical sourcing and community-building to reinvigorate Starbucks’ mission. For 2025, ask yourself: What bold moves can I make to refresh and energize my business?
Your three to thrive: Actionable steps for 2025
Here are three practical steps to ensure you’re starting the new year on the right foot:
1. Anchor in your values: Identify the moments that brought you joy and fulfillment in 2024. Build your 2025 goals around these priorities.
2. Protect your time: Treat your time as the ultimate nonrenewable resource. Create systems and boundaries that allow you to focus on what matters most.
3. Foster a culture of innovation: Encourage your team to think creatively and take calculated risks. Lead by example in embracing bold moves.
By focusing on these strategies and learning from the habits of other leaders, you can ensure that 2025 is a year of meaningful growth and success. Remember, the currency of living is how you spend your time—make it count!
Tom Oliver, a “global management guru” (Bloomberg), is the chair of The Tom Oliver Group, the trusted advisor and counselor to many of the world’s most influential family businesses, medium-sized enterprises, market leaders and global conglomerates. For more information and inquiries: www.TomOliverGroup.com or email Tom.Oliver@inquirer.com.ph.