Finishing what we started earlier this year is also important. If possible, allocate time to complete the goals you set for 2024. If time constraints make that difficult, start thinking about what is most important for 2025. However, as you plan, avoid overcrowding your schedule. Before adding new tasks, consider pruning existing commitments. Two resources that can help in this process are Greg McKeown, author and speaker on the concept of Essentialism, and Dr. Henry Cloud, author of Necessary Endings.
Stopping an activity can be challenging, especially when it’s something you’ve done for a long time or found valuable. The issue is that even highly beneficial activities can obstruct opportunities for something even more meaningful.
A useful analogy is budgeting. While this time of year is often focused on financial budgeting, why not extend that practice to time? With our days being fixed, consider implementing a zero-based time budget. Wipe your calendar clean, then add back only those activities that are truly essential. Inevitably, some things will be left out, but this approach ensures your time is used for what matters most.
Here are a few questions to help guide your reflection and planning:
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What is the most important thing you’d like to achieve in 2025 in service to others?
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How could Rotary help you accomplish the above goal?
As Rotarians, we are committed to service—not just to non-Rotarians, but to one another. Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, initially created Rotary as a means for members to help one another professionally. Reflect on how Rotary’s resources, both within your club and beyond, can support your 2025 goals.
To explore resources beyond your club, visit the Rotary Action Groups page on the Rotary.org website at www.rotaryactiongroups.org. This page provides information on all 25 Rotary Action Groups, which serve as worldwide networks of specialist experts who can bring valuable resources to your projects. For those with an interest in economic development, RAGCED can provide critical support. If your focus lies in other areas, you will find relevant resources there as well.
The action groups cover nearly every imaginable interest of Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Rotary Clubs. Take a virtual voyage of discovery on the website to find resources that align with your goals. Even if economic development isn’t your focus, there’s something for everyone.
For those interested in enhancing professional credentials, particularly in information technology, consider visiting https://itrotaryfellowship.org/cybersecurity-and-ai to explore training programs in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence.
Finally, consider this question:
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Could you benefit yourself by devoting more time to Rotary in 2025? If so, what will you give up to make that possible?
You may have heard the saying, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.” While busy people are often highly productive, adding more tasks to an already packed schedule can lead to burnout or unfinished commitments. Productivity experts emphasize that effective focus is key to achieving the right things. Pruning activities are essential—though not easy or enjoyable, they ensure your efforts are directed towards meaningful outcomes.
As we close the year, I hope the holidays bring much joy and cheer to you and your family. Thank you for your service to Rotary and the Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development (RAGCED). In 2025, we hope you will continue to be part of our global network, helping to improve lives through effective economic development. May the coming year be both productive and fulfilling.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Successful 2025!
