How I’m Approaching the New Year by Learning from Last Year’s Successes and Failures

How I’m Approaching the New Year by Learning from Last Year’s Successes and Failures


The beginning of a new year always feels like a fresh start—a blank page waiting to be written. But rather than diving in with resolutions that may fizzle out by February, I’ve chosen to reflect on the lessons from the past year. The highs, the lows, and everything in between have shaped my approach to what’s next. This year, I’m focusing on the four areas that matter most to me: Family, Faith, Finance, and Fitness.

Reflecting with Honesty

To move forward, I’ve had to first look back. Last year brought its share of accomplishments, like strengthening bonds with family, growing spiritually, staying afloat financially during challenging times, and gradually making strides in my fitness journey. Each win reminded me of what’s possible when I’m focused and intentional.

But there were also moments when I fell short—times when work encroached on family time, when stress distracted me from my faith, or when I skipped workouts because “life got stressful.” Instead of beating myself up, I’m choosing to see these missteps as opportunities for growth. The key is honesty: acknowledging what didn’t work without letting it define me.

Spotting Patterns

As I reviewed the year, I noticed patterns. Success in my family life came when I made time to be present, like putting my phone away during dinner or planning weekend activities together. Spiritually, I felt most connected when I dedicated even a few minutes daily to reflection or prayer. Financially, I managed to stay afloat during difficult times by sticking to a budget, even when unexpected challenges arose. And in fitness, I struggled with staying consistent in exercising at the beginning of the year. Over time, however, I slowly caught up and brought a sense of rigor to my exercise schedule in the last few months.

Recognizing these patterns has been eye-opening. They’ve given me a roadmap for what to continue doing and what to adjust.

Setting Goals That Matter

This year, I’m focusing on setting goals that align with my values and priorities:

  • Family: I’m carving out intentional time for my loved ones, whether it’s regular family fun, meaningful conversations, or simple daily check-ins. Being present matters most.
  • Faith: My spiritual practice grounds me, so I’m dedicating time each day to prayer, meditation, or gratitude journaling. It’s not about perfection but about connection.
  • Finance: Financial stability is a work in progress. I’m doubling down on consistent saving and mindful spending while exploring ways to grow and protect my investments.
  • Fitness: Health is wealth, and I’m aiming for small, sustainable actions—daily walks, balanced meals, and a manageable fitness routine that fits my lifestyle.

Embracing Flexibility

One of the biggest lessons from last year is that life doesn’t always go as planned. Unexpected challenges will come, and goals may need to shift. That’s why I’m embracing flexibility this year. Progress isn’t always linear, and that’s okay. What matters is staying adaptable and committed to the journey.

As I step into this new year, I’m determined to carry the lessons of the past with me. It’s not about striving for perfection but about progress and balance. If you’re on a similar journey, let’s focus on what truly matters, learn from our experiences, and make this year one of growth and fulfillment in every aspect of our lives.

Suren Karavettil

Build Great Products with Great Teams | CXO| B2B Technology Startup Leader | Board Ready | Mentor | Strategy Consultant | Digital Transformation | Organizational Leadership

1w

Nagendra Sherman, What little I know from our conversations, this is very thoughtful. I'm sure this new year will turn around for you. Best Wishes!

Ali Bazzi

Customer Success / SaaS / Revenue Enablement / MBA

1w

Best wishes in 2025!

Ravi Tenkayala

Client Success | Change Agent | Thought leadership | Automation, Cloud, Security, Controls, Risk & Data Protection | Outsourcing Risk Management | Managed Services Executive | Wharton CXO Graduate

2w

Well said! Here’s wishing you the best in 2025

Girish Kapur

Growth, Strategy & Technology Leader - Cloud, Engineering, Data, AI, Digital Services, Innovation & Automation | Board Member | Investor | Non-For-Profit

2w

Happy New Year!

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