Inspiring 1914 Story That Will Guide Your 2025 Plans

It was Christmas Eve, 1914 (World War I), and the Western Front was locked in bitter stalemate. Soldiers huddled in muddy trenches, separated by a stretch of desolate no-man's-land, their days filled with the relentless rhythm of war. But that night, something occurred that had never happened before and would never happen again. In a small part of the battlefield (near Ypres, Belgium), German troops began singing carols (Silent Night), their voices drifting across the cold air. British soldiers responded in kind, and by morning, men from both sides had cautiously emerged from their trenches. They shook hands, shared food and gifts, and even played soccer in the shadow of war for a day. I know it might sound like a good movie script, but it's an actual historical event that even newspapers of the time reported on.

The Christmas Truce remains a testament to the power of human connection, even in the most divided and unimaginable circumstances. It was sparked not by orders or grand strategy but by individuals willing to take the first step toward something greater than their differences.

As we close out the year, what "trenches" in your life are holding you back? What if you dared to step out first—to bridge a gap, break a pattern, or imagine a future that feels impossible today? Let the Christmas Truce remind us that even in the most entrenched situations, there's always room for change when someone is brave enough to act.

🦋 From Truce to Transformation

This story challenges us to imagine the unimaginable in our own lives. Whether it’s a long-held grudge, a self-limiting belief, or fear of failure, we all have “trenches” that keep us from stepping into new possibilities. What if you dared to be the first to reach out, to reimagine what’s possible, or to confront the barriers holding you back?

As the year draws to a close, this is your opportunity to reflect deeply, reconnect with what truly matters, and set bold intentions for the year ahead. The exercises below will help you dig beneath the surface, gain clarity, and create a roadmap for 2025—so you can step confidently out of your own trenches and into a future full of possibility.

🗓 End of Year Reflection Practices 

It's time to slow down and reflect on where you have been this year and where you want to be next year. Here are four simple yet powerful exercises that can help:

⏭️ Uncover whats holding you back

You are 10 years from now (10 years in the future). You failed in what you are pursuing (or your idea/product has failed), and you know why! Why did you fail? What habit, practice, mindset held you back the most? Write it down and uncover whats holding you back so you can try to avoid it in 2025?

Example: When I did this exercise last year, one thing that I identified could lead me to fail is that I’m doing too many unrelated projects. I decided to say NO more often to projects, and not to say YES before I take 48 hours to think how doe sit serve my overall goals.

🔗 Reconnect to what matters

Imagine you are on your deathbed, think about the moments of your life that you will miss the most, the moments that you would give everything you have to experience again. What are those moments? How can you have more of them in 2025?

The purpose of this exercise is to identify and address the potential pitfalls you may already be aware of at some level, which could hinder you from reaching your full potential.

🌳 The value alignment check

Make a list of your top five personal values. For each value, write down one moment this past year where you truly lived in alignment with it—and one moment where you fell short.

Next year, what can you do—habit changes, different routines, new boundaries—to stay more closely aligned with what matters most to you?

Write down your answers. Than ask yourself: How can I bring more of these meaningful actions, relationships, and qualities into my life next year?

☝️ If you journal

Each year I read through my past year’s journal entries and create a summary of the key learnings. Then I read summaries from past years, going as far back as 2014. I see my journey from a new perspective, noticing patterns and feeling grateful for where I was and what I had to overcome. Learn more about how I practice reflective journaling HERE.

💥 Action Item

Choose just one exercise from the above section. Using that reflection, identify only one habit you would like to add or change in the first 3 months of the new year. Only one! Don't go too big—start with small steps. By focusing on just one habit in the first 3 months, you're increasing the likelihood of actually following through and paving the way for your first victory of the year. It's all about incremental, steady improvement.

✊Happy New Beginnings!

As we head into 2025, remember: Everything amazing you’ve achieved this year was because you were free and that is a privilege that many in the world do not enjoy. To those who seek more freedoms, we wish you more freedom in 2025! To those who have it, let us work to preserve it and fight for others who do not. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

💝 Sharing is Caring

Hey! If this newsletter made you think or smile, why not share it with a friend? It’s like sending a little boost of inspiration their way. 😊

Forward this email and they can subscribe using the link below.