Why Action and Elimination Are the Best Courses to Reach Your Goals in 2025

As we step into a new year, many of us are fired up with energy and excitement, ready to kick start new habits and crush new goals. But we have to be careful we create a sustainable plan of action that won’t peter out like so many New Year’s resolutions often do.

Motivation can be challenging to maintain for even the most determined of us, but for Black women, the path to success is often layered with unique challenges and responsibilities related to the extra stuff that comes with being a woman and Black in society. That’s why it’s critical to focus on the two most powerful tools for reaching your goals in 2025: action and elimination. Here, we’ll unpack why taking action and consciously deciding what — and who — to eliminate from your life can be the magic keys to your growth, progress and fulfillment.

The Power of Action: Why Waiting Is a Trap

Too many of us wait before we make the moves we want or need to make to advance. We wait for the right time — like New Years, for instance — or the right circumstances, the right signs, or even permission from others. But that arbitrary waiting can easily manifest as a clever form of procrastination.

Procrastination can also disguise itself as perfectionism or fear of failure. You tell yourself, “I’ll start when things calm down,” or “I need to do more research first.” But waiting for perfect conditions before you take action on a goal is a trap — one that often leads to missed opportunities and a lot of wasted, very valuable time.

There are many benefits associated with acting now. For instance:

Momentum breeds confidence: When you take that first step, even a small one, with consistent effort you can build momentum. This momentum becomes the fuel for tackling bigger tasks as you see real progress made.

Learn through doing: Action can expose gaps in your knowledge or skills that you can address as you go. Waiting doesn’t teach you anything; but doing does.

Time is limited: Every day spent overthinking or hesitating is a day lost that you will never get back. Time is a significant commodity, but many people underestimate its value. Don’t. Your future self will thank you for moving forward despite imperfections or uncertainty.

In 2025, commit to starting now. Draft the business plan, sign up for that class, or hit record on the video you’ve been meaning to create. It’s better to start messy than to not start at all. After all, the only real place to go from that imperfect beginning is up, forward.

The Art of Elimination: Declutter Your Life for Focus

Elimination is just as critical as action when it comes to reaching your goals. Why? Because your energy, time, and motivation are finite resources. Every unnecessary task, toxic person, or irrelevant goal siphons off those resources and leaves you drained, and your goals and dreams will suffer.

Be ruthless as you evaluate what — or who — in your life may need to be eliminated as an obstacle or barrier to your progress and eventual success. Here are a few important things you may need to eliminate to clear the deck for focused action:

Non-essential tasks: Not everything on your to-do list is important. Use the 80/20 rule to identify the 20% of tasks that yield 80% of the results. Let the rest go. It might not be easy, at first, but it is that simple.

Toxic relationships: This is hugely important. Friends and family members who constantly criticize you, drain your energy, time or money, or fail to respect your boundaries don’t deserve a front-row seat in your life. When you minimize their presence you will be amazed at what happens to your focus and discipline.

Negative self-talk: External irritants and barriers aren’t the only ones you have to worry about though. Often, some of the biggest distractions we face actually come from within. Eliminate limiting beliefs, and replace them with affirmations and actionable plans.

Elimination works. Why? Because it can increase:

Clarity of focus: By removing unnecessary distractions, you create space to prioritize what truly matters.

Emotional freedom: Toxic relationships and environments weigh you down mentally and emotionally. Letting go can be liberating.

Productivity: With fewer distractions, your energy can be channeled toward the necessary steps needed to make measurable progress on, and ultimately achieve, your goals.

Yes, Elimination May Include Family and Friends

For many Black women, the idea of distancing yourself from family or close friends can feel heavy, maybe even scary, as you know it will come with some drama. However, if certain people consistently bring chaos, doubt, or negativity into your life, you must decide to prioritize your well-being — that’s if you truly want change...

Read more on why Black women should act and eliminate to propel their goal attainment efforts in 2025 and beyond at treatmebetta.com. It's free! There's no gate, but if you like it there, please do subscribe and share!