How to Make Next Year the Best Year: Ask Yourself These 7 Questions

—

Do you want to make 2025 your best year yet?

There are 7 questions to ask yourself that will help you:

Step into 2025 with clarity about what you want & with a plan to make it happen
Become inspired, energized, and in control again
Learn & apply Mel's powerful, life-changing, science-backed, year-end ritual that she has done for over 20 years

In this episode, Mel will walk you through the 7 powerful questions, reveal her own answers, and guide you through how to answer them.

Your answers will show you what the very next steps are in your life, and help you confidently map out what you should focus on in the next 12 months.

This is the method Mel uses to set and achieve goals, and today, you’re getting the roadmap to the success, fulfillment, and happiness that you desire.

And if you’ve been a long-term listener of Mel and the podcast, you’ll recognize and love this method, as Mel invites you to reflect on and revisit how the past year went.

Fun, engaging, and deeply impactful, this episode will help you step into 2025 with purpose and momentum.

I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode.

In this episode:
0:00 Introduction
3:16 The first step to kickstarting your best year yet
6:36 This is why reflecting on the past is the key to a brighter future
15:00 How to use your setbacks and hardships to fuel your dreams
20:41 The one step in goal-setting that most people miss
24:35 The simple question to ask yourself to know what you really want
30:00 The expert-approved strategy to break free from bad habits
35:08 Your blueprint for creating resolutions that stick
38:46 How to identify the amazing things you did in the past year
41:42 One small action you can take today to chip away at your goals
44:38 The one step you should take after listening to this episode

—

—
—
Follow me here:
—
—
Looking for my books on Amazon? Here they are!

[BlackNight]

1. Describe the highlights from the past year
2. What were some of the hardest parts this year?
3. What did you learn about yourself this year?
4. What are you going to stop doing in the next year?
5. What are you going to start doing?
6. What are you going to continue doing next year?
7. What can you do to today to take that first step now that you have a set of directions?

[sandrasamy-bb]

You help me psychologically when I have no one else to do so. Thank you very much. I hope to meet you one day

[danazaruba]

I will be spending New Year’s Eve completely alone and will be sitting down and writing answers to all of these questions. It’s time. At 58, closing a chapter and stepping onto a new path is as sad as it is full of promise and you have provided me with such a gift. This roadmap of self reflection is beautiful and I am looking forward to tomorrow night. Sending love to all on this amazing journey.

[renildasy]

Dear mel,
Im a single mother from philippines...i work as a maid...i often listen to you if i have free wifi...download your blog and listen while working....im 52 and i feel you and i think you feel me...i hope one day we talk face to face ...all i can say is Thank you ..and Godbless you

[MarkWallaceWallace]

I’m 17 years old, and I feel stuck in my life and my faith. I’m worried about 2025, and I want to become the best version of myself and who God wants me to be. Thank you for your encouragement!

[denisejohnson]

Love the “Let them theory” I have applied this to my life, I have to have more peace and joy in this coming year. I have a 35 yr old daughter that has been sitting in jail for 3 weeks and I refuse to bail her out. Her life choices always come back and affect my life, now I have her 3 kids for the 3rd time. I’m tired of picking up the pieces for her. I’m out, I’m going to “Let “ her. I’m OUT! Thank you Mel!!

[kondaskalogianni]

I am Determined in 2025 to be the best version of myself. I am gonna embrace my mistakes and forgive myself. So Today Now I am acting as my highest most healed self ❤❤❤I love me

[ZDatAlkiB]

I begin a new small journal each month as part of my CBT journal system. On the back cover, I divide it into three sections: monthly wins, challenges, and favorite moments, which I update during the month to reflect on my experiences. I also note my weekly accomplishments in the journal to maintain a sense of achievement and growth. When preparing my journal for the upcoming month, I complete sections dedicated to habits I will stop, strategies I will continue, and new practices I will begin that month to help me stay focused.

[katebruno]

I learned I’m so much stronger than I ever knew. I’ve always been a fixer as well. My daughter turned 21 this month - she has been living with an inoperable brain tumor (diagnosed 3 years ago) which has caused refractory epilepsy. She is musical like your daughter. She is hurting and so are we. I was diagnosed with breast cancer this year (exactly 2 years after her diagnosis). It suddenly taught me I can’t be the fixer all the time. I have to accept help too. It’s hard, I’m sad, I want my daughter to get her full life back. She deserves it more than anyone could imagine. I wish I could take it all away from her, but I can’t. I pray this coming year I will see more joyful photos in my reel. No more photos of hospital, MRI’s, or scary big bills, please Lord deliver us from the pain. I’m want to stop ruminating about the things I can’t control while I continue being my daughter’s biggest fan. Im going to start praising God that she is alive. Ps - please be carful with HRT. I used it for 2 years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer and worry it played a big part. ❤

[mariestreleckirealestate]

I discovered Mel Robbins this year, and wow, her content has completely changed my life. I watch or listen to something from her every day, and I’m so grateful for the impact she’s had on me.

Today, as I'm listening to this video about goals and reflecting on the year, Mel shared how she’s struggling with how she feels during menopause, and it hit home for me because I recently discovered someone who’s also been life-changing: Candi Frazier from Primal Bod. She shares incredible content about our bodies, food, circadian rhythms, and so much more. It’s been a life-changer for me, and I couldn’t help but think of this while listening to Mel.

I feel like this is my chance to give something back to someone who’s given me so much. Mel, thank you for everything you do. I just wanted to share this in case it could help you too, the way you’ve helped me. ❤

[carolannstevens]

I have had a SPECTACULAR YEAR!!! Two new grand babies, many trips to love on my kids and grandchildren, the builder for my house. Such blessings!

[annealba]

The photo exercise is valuable. But not having a lot of photos doesn’t necessarily mean you weren’t present during the moments of your year. I deliberately choose NOT to use/have my phone when I want to be present. I don’t have photos because I was busy being present in the moment.

[laurathomas]

I wasn't well the whole year. Anxiety sucks!! It brings tears to my eyes lookiiing back at 2024. I didn't do very much because I wasn't well enough. Im working on healing and making my family and friends #1 because ive really missed them all very much.
Thank you Mel. I appreciate everything you do!!

[danikeiko]

This episode is a true gem. Thank you so much! 2024 was a roller-coaster ride to me. I felt overwhelmed, swept away, feeling the mixture of anxiety, frustration and sense of loss, occasionally punctuated by super-highs. I didn't like it. This morning, I sat in front of my computer, with my phone in hand and took the steps “with you, ” in real time, stopping the video as needed to write down my answers. I appreciated your sharing the major events in your life to help us look back on our lives seriously, in detail, to answer these questions without missing anything small and important. It took me over two hours to watch the whole episode this way, and that was highly rewarding. Thank you again. I am excited with the idea of creating a much better year. Looking forward to another inspiring episode like this. Cheers!

[amberelston]

Last year, you did a workbook to make 2024 great. As soon as I started, I stopped because reflecting on 2023 hurt too much. But I've busted it out and am using it for 2025. Great prompting questions. I'm ready! Thanks, Mel!!

[cristina.mtz.bravo]

Mel: I started following you in 2019 and you have no idea how you have changed my life. I am so grateful with you. You are loving, generous, funny and you are awesome, thank you!

[yippeehaha-yy]

I used to discard friendships that weren’t reciprocal, as I’d often feel hurt and disappointed. Then I’d feel lonely and isolated. What a dilemma! What helped was learning about Dunbar’s circles for relationships. Now, according to the theory, I’ve placed those non-reciprocal on the outer circles as well as focusing on acceptance and committing to those friends who ARE more reciprocal (sound familiar? Let them!) Also it was important for me to increase my understanding and empathy while moving on. Now, when those friends and call, I respond less with annoyance and more with curiosity and gratitude.

[christinegonzalez]

Mel, I cannot thank you enough for all the wisdom that you share. I am so grateful to have found you. Thank you!!!

[WTLAQ]

Just got "Let Them" on Audible. Sooo excited!

Thank you, Mel! Just what I needed to keep me going with my business plan!!

[bestill]

I’m not going to smoke tobacco and marijuana this year. This has been a life long process because I never addressed my sensitivity that has been ruling my life. So while it sounds grand, I’m going to accomplish it. I am going to practice Dr. James Doty’s Magic Shop tricks, I already began since the broadcast. I am going to stick to my boundaries with my daughter. So much more!