5 Tips for Your 2025 Breakthroughs

As we step into 2025, the promise of a fresh start is in the air. It’s a time when goals are set, visions are renewed, and the excitement of possibility fuels our motivation. But for many leaders, the weight of these aspirations can quickly turn into pressure—pressure to deliver, to outperform, to achieve perfection. What often gets overlooked in the pursuit of success is the necessity of self-compassion.

Resetting for the new year isn’t just about refining strategies or projecting new goals; it’s about creating space for grace—both for yourself and for your team. Self-compassion is more than a mindset; it’s a leadership practice that fosters resilience, innovation, and a culture where growth is prioritized over perfection. So as we embrace the opportunities of a new year, let’s explore why self-compassion is not only vital for our well-being but also the key to cultivating a thriving and dynamic organization.

What is self-compassion?

Self compassion is the ability to extend kindness and understanding to oneself in times of failure or suffering. When you experience negative emotions because you made a mistake, failed, or are faced with feelings of inadequacy, you can choose to approach it without judgment or self-criticism.

High-performing high achievers are especially prone to holding such impossible standards for themselves.  In one global study of over 1300 leaders’ mindsets and behaviors, self-compassion consistently ranked lowest. The ability to show ourselves kindness is a blindspot for leaders and founders across the world.

Why is self-compassion so important for a successful reset?

People who practice self-compassion become more resilient and adaptable to setbacks, which you will inherently face as you embark on your growth journey.

While our harsh inner critic does play some role in trying to protect us, it can go into overdrive when we are about to initiate a transition into uncharted territory. Our survival mechanisms aim to minimize pain and keep us safe within our comfort zone. But moving beyond our comfort zones is necessary for any kind of personal growth,  professional growth, and learning to treat ourselves with the patient compassion.

How do you build up your self-compassion?

The invitation is to keep growing in compassion, and the first step in building your self-compassion muscle is cultivating a growth mindset, as renowned researcher Dr. Carol Dweck describes it.

Instead of going into a well-worn cycle of self beratement, judgment, and criticism—typical behaviors when we are too hard on ourselves—you can practice other self-compassion practices:

1. Honor your feelings. Do not suppress or ignore them, for what we resist will persist and will eventually come out in some other unhealthy way. Rather acknowledge the feelings as real, and let yourself feel them.
2. Offer yourself words of self-compassion. Speak to yourself as you would someone you loved who was disappointed: “I did the best that I could.” “It’s ok if I feel disappointed with myself.” “Of course I would feel bummed that I couldn’t show up for them the way I would have liked.”
3. Find the lesson. A powerful exercise is to ask ‘what’ instead of ‘why’ questions. Asking ‘why’ keeps you stuck in the spiral of self-loathing, but asking ‘what’ empowers you to learn something from a difficult situation. For example, “What is the meaning of this moment?” or “What can I learn from this?” is better than “Why did this happen?” “Why me?” 
4. Affirmations. Reciting affirmations is a powerful disrupter of the harsh inner voice. For example, “I will be patient with myself and let go of self-criticism.” or “Shame and guilt let negative experiences live on. Forgiveness and love let ME live on.”
5. Try writing. Dr Kristen Neff—an expert on self-compassion—says, “Everybody has something about themselves that they don’t like; something that causes them to feel shame, to feel insecure, or not ’good enough’.” Writing a letter to yourself from a place of acceptance and compassion can be a powerful tool. For extra credit, take Neff’s self-compassion test to discover how much pressure you’re putting on yourself.

Starting a new year is an opportunity to lead with intention, not only in setting ambitious goals but also in how we approach those goals. By practicing self-compassion, we set the tone for a culture of growth—one where mistakes are viewed as stepping stones, not setbacks. Being more forgiving towards ourselves reminds us that the mistakes and failures we make along the way do not mean that we are a mistake or failure.

As leaders, we can inspire our teams to aim high while also giving them—and ourselves—permission to rest, reflect, and recalibrate when needed. In doing so, we model resilience and foster an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best.

So as we move forward into 2025, let’s commit to not just achieving, but achieving with balance and humanity. Let self-compassion be your foundation, and watch how it transforms not only your leadership but the legacy you leave behind.