Avoid Fanaticism! What Are Your Non-Negotiables for 2025

I heard this quote when I was watching a video hosted by Dr. Steven Greer.

"Fanaticism consists of redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim." George Santyana

I was fascinated by this quote. I never looked at this perspective, and because of that, I had to ponder this quote for some time; it still blows me away.

In essence, let's say, I create some goal(s) in January (or whenever), and, at some point in my life, I lose track, focus, or aim of this goal. We all know what that's like when we get too busy or some unexpected event(s) show up in life (and they will!). Anyway, because I forget my aim, I kind of forget what my goal is all about. Instead of slowing down or stopping to reevaluate my goal, I simply keep forging ahead (or bulldozing ahead slightly unconscious) thinking that I know my aim,  when in fact, I don't because I had forgotten it or it got blurry. The goal is no longer clear to me. With that, I double down my efforts thinking I need to work harder, faster, or whatever, but I am not getting anywhere!

And then, perhaps, we give up . . . or . . . 

So, now that you know my fascinations regarding this quote, perhaps it can remind you about your newly made 2025 goals or what you want to focus on this year and the importance of checking in regularly to see if you are on track or need some adjustments. 

But before we get to that, I always like to re-consider my non-negotiables. You know, the things you will not sacrifice for anything. And these non-negotiables (e.g., family time, hiking/swimming, yoga/grounding, etc.) should be considered prior to writing your short-term and long-term goals.

I have many a times jumped into the grand goal setting template only to find out a month or so into it, that I am not happy or, rather, I am not aligned with the goal due to compromising my non-negotiables or my core values. In essence, your non-negotiables correspond with your core values.

At the same time, when you don't take into consideration your non-negotiables or your core values when setting goals, you can fully participate in Santyana's quote. You will surely begin to double down on your efforts trying to blast out that unhappiness, procrastination, irritability . . . But the problem doesn't lie in just trying harder and doing faster; it is about self-awareness. 

"Why are those feelings coming up?" should be the question you ask yourself. Evaluating weekly, monthly, and quarterly is a good strategy to make sure you are going where you want to go - that you are on track, and if not to readjust.    

So, what are your non-negotiables for 2025? Did you consider them in December of 2024 or are you just starting now. I am actually beginning to adopt the pre-modern times calendar when the New Year actually started in March/April. Why? Because why start in the dead of winter when everything is sleeping or hibernating; it is a time of rest and contemplation. This is the best time to consider your goals, and when the New Year arrives in spring, growth begins. Let things germinate first just as the seed does.  

What's most important, do what works for you. However, as I age, I am changing things up dramatically. Not in a way as though I am doing it to satisfy the trend or wave of what is happening in society. This is so much more; it's internal, and it's a sense of knowing - the best divine thing to follow.

Much love,

Desiree