Reflecting on Your 2025 Goals: What Do You Really Want?
As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on what you truly want from life. What are the things that matter most to you, both personally and professionally? It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but now is the time to ask yourself: What do I really want to achieve this year? Whether it’s advancing in your role, making a career change, or finding more balance in your life, knowing what you’re striving for is the first step toward getting there.
The Power of Public Speaking in Achieving Your Bigger Picture
Once you have clarity on your ultimate goal, you’ll be able to see the role that public speaking may play in helping you achieve it. For me, learning how to overcome public speaking anxiety wasn’t just about becoming a more confident speaker—it was about creating the life I wanted, a life where I felt deeply connected to my work, empowered to influence others, and able to spend more time pursuing my passions, travelling, and doing things I truly enjoy. Public speaking was simply the tool to make all of that happen. So, before we dive into how public speaking can support your goals, take a moment to think: What does your bigger picture look like?
Step 1: Clarify Your End Goal
Start by identifying what you truly want to achieve in your life or career. Maybe your end goal is to feel fulfilled and connected to your purpose, to live with greater freedom, or to experience a deep sense of accomplishment. Understanding these end goals will give you the motivation to push through challenges and stay focused on what truly matters.
Ask yourself:
- What does my life look like when I achieve my ultimate goal?
- How would my sense of fulfillment, happiness, and confidence shift if I reached this vision?
- What lasting impact would achieving this goal have on my relationships, career, and personal satisfaction?
Once you have your end goal in mind, you can reflect on the steps—like transitioning to a more fulfilling role, stepping into a leadership position, or creating a better work-life balance—that will bring you closer to that ultimate vision. Then you can see how your ability to overcome public speaking anxiety fits into that vision. Perhaps it’s the tool that will help you lead meetings confidently, advocate for yourself during a promotion, or connect with larger audiences in your field.
For a deeper understanding of the difference between means goals and end goals, check out Vishen Lakhiani’s insightful video, The Common Goal-Setting Mistake You Might Be Making.
Step 2: Do You Have a Clear Public Speaking Goal?
With your end goal in focus, the next step is to set a clear public speaking goal. When I first started out, I made the mistake of thinking that simply practising would lead to improvement and help me overcome public speaking anxiety. But without a clear goal, I found myself spinning my wheels, unsure of what I was aiming for. A clear goal gives you direction and keeps you motivated. It’s not enough to say you want to be a better speaker—you need to define what that actually means for you.
Consider these questions:
- What are your current strengths when it comes to public speaking?
- What challenges are holding you back?
- What do you ultimately want to achieve as a speaker?
For instance, you might feel confident speaking in small groups but struggle with presenting to larger audiences. Or perhaps you want to reduce filler words and communicate more clearly. Identifying your strengths and challenges allows you to set a focused and achievable goal.
Step 3: Write Down Your Goals
Research by Dr. Gail Matthews has shown that writing down your goals can make you 33%-42% more likely to achieve them. This is why I always encourage clients to take this step seriously. Be specific. Instead of saying, “I want to be more confident,” try framing your goal like this: “I will confidently present to an audience of 50 people by the end of June.” Goals like these give you something tangible to work towards. They’re slightly outside your comfort zone but not so overwhelming that they feel impossible. This balance is where growth happens and is ultimately how to overcome your fear of public speaking.
To learn more about goal achievement strategies, including Dr. Gail Matthews’ research on writing down goals, check out this article from The Bucket List Journal, which highlights eight research-based methods to achieve your goals faster and more often.
Step 4: Take Small, Consistent Steps
Once your goals are clear, break them down into smaller, manageable actions. For example: Practise a short presentation in front of a trusted friend or colleague. Record yourself speaking and identify areas for improvement. Join a group like Toastmasters to gain regular practice in a supportive environment. Remember, progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistent effort. Celebrate each small win along the way, and use these milestones to build your confidence. To learn more about taking actionable steps toward your goal, read my blog, ‘Become a Great Public Speaker: Why Consistent Action is Key’.
Step 5: Reflect and Adjust
As you work on your public speaking goals, take time to reflect on your progress. What’s working well? Where do you need to adjust your approach? Are the actions you are taking moving you closer towards your end goal? This reflection will help you stay on track and refine your goals as needed, so that you can overcome your fear of public speaking.
Make 2025 the Year You Take Control
Imagine looking back at the end of 2025 and seeing how far you’ve come. By clarifying your end goal, setting clear public speaking goals, taking consistent action, and reflecting along the way, you can make this the year you finally discover how to overcome public speaking anxiety. The opportunities are there—it’s up to you to take the first step.
If you’re ready to start your journey, I’m here to help. Epiphany Coaching offers practical tools and personalised support to help women like you build confidence and achieve their goals. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember.
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