Small Wins: Making 2025 Your Best Year Yet

With the start of a new year, many of us are eager to set goals that will help us grow personally and professionally. However, staying motivated and maintaining a healthy balance can be challenging without a clear plan.  

By taking on the right strategies you can make this year your most successful yet. Small, intentional steps can lead to lasting change, whether you’re striving for a better work-life balance, improved physical health or professional growth.

Court Stein, a human resources wellness administrator at the University of Houston, brings years of experience in health and well-being to the conversation, having previously served as health director for multiple organizations across the country. He shares practical tips for setting achievable personal and professional wellness goals, avoiding common pitfalls and celebrating small success along the way. With the right mindset and approach, 2025 can be a year of meaningful progress.

What advice would you give employees who are looking to set achievable personal wellness goals for 2025?

Start small. In the beginning, select one, maybe two goals that are important to you and that align with your values. To remain motivated, take time to clearly define your reasons for wanting to achieve the goals you are setting.  

Then, create goals that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. Anticipate potential barriers and prepare in advance for when things go awry. Also, put in place one to three accountability measures. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small.

Lastly, remember that even small changes can have a significant impact!

How can employees balance personal and professional goals to avoid burnout while still staying active?

Achieving balance is difficult, as the scales always tend to tip more in one direction than the other — but there are things you can do to help keep burnout at bay.

First, recognize that good health is a priority and essential to success both personally and professionally. Be intentional when planning your week by prioritizing responsibilities and implementing systems to better manage your time.

Consider small actions that can make a big difference in helping you stay active. Simple habits, such as getting enough sleep, drinking water daily and practicing mindfulness or meditation, can improve focus, clarity and energy.

What resources or tools does the HR POWER UP Employee Wellness program offer to help employees track and achieve their wellness goals?

HR POWER UP Employee Wellness offers a variety of health and well-being programs for employees. Recently, it introduced a new employee wellness platform, Buena Vida, powered by WebMD. Through the platform, employees can access a number of no-cost condition management programs, engage with health content, participate in different well-being challenges and more.

This spring, HR POWER UP is coordinating the University’s participation in the GetFitTexas Challenge. The goal is for employees to track and log in 150 minutes of exercise per week for 10 weeks, Jan. 20 - Mar. 30. (Good news, you can still sign up!)

Why is it important to celebrate small successes on the way to achieving larger personal wellness goals?

While small successes indicate progress, they are also powerful confidence boosters — “Hey, I’m really doing this!” These milestones lay the groundwork for achieving even bigger goals. Acknowledging what you’ve accomplished, no matter how small, can help keep you motivated and moving forward.

What are some common pitfalls employees should avoid when setting personal wellness goals?

Setting too many goals at once can quickly become overwhelming, making it more likely that you’ll abandon them when something goes wrong. Instead, select just one — maybe two — to focus on. If you get off track, don’t give up. Learn from it and start again.

Another common pitfall is setting goals that aren’t aligned with your values. To stay truly invested in achieving them, your goals must be personally meaningful and realistic. Sometimes, the best approach is to work toward a goal incrementally. For example, if you’ve never run before but want to complete a 5K this year, break it down into smaller steps: “I will walk for 30 minutes after work at 6 p.m. every day for the next two weeks,” and build from there.

What’s the best advice you received when you started your professional journey?

Over the years, I’ve had wonderful teachers and received valuable advice. But the one adage that has stayed with me and that I find most helpful, especially when contemplating a behavior change, is “If you’re not changing, you’re choosing.”

First Thing, Begin

Pick 1-2 reasonable health behaviors that you can improve upon or introduce into your daily routine. Need Ideas? Here are a few easy ways to support a healthy lifestyle.

Get Hydrated

Portable water bottles make it easier than ever to ensure you get the proper amount of water.

Take a Break

Go on a stroll on campus to refresh your mind and stay active.

Cook Fresh

Prepare healthy, nutritious meals and snacks before you get hungry.

Start Writing

Remember to chart the positive aspects of your day-to-day life that brought you joy.

Get Rest

Aim for 8 restful hours of sleep each night.

Practice Peace

Meditation and mindfulness are a key part of wellness.

Breathe Deep

Take deep breaths and stretch periodically to stay refreshed.