2025 Goals – December Review

 

 

2025 Goal Series

 

 

If you are new around here, I have intentionally set goals at the beginning of the year (typically 5) and post-follow-ups at the end of each month, tracking progress. I do this for a few reasons, really, but the ones I want to highlight here are my own personal need to achieve them and setting a template for others to potentially follow.

To that end, let’s look at the 2025 goals I have established. They are, in no particular order:

 

1. Continue to post at least three times a month
2. Target focus podcast episodes
3. Expand The Leadership Series
4. Prioritize personal health
5. Rotational goals for the year

 

2025 Goals December Review – Continue to post at least three times a month

Posting at least three times a month has proven to be a good cadence

 

For three years now, I have posted at least two times a month, and in 2024, I tweaked it a few times – finally settling on three. Working full-time in the field (with some overtime), recording and releasing podcast episodes, and attempting to really prioritize family time – that’s about the extent of my commitment. I can always do more and build on it, but the foundation must be firm.

I’ve written this before, but I’m extremely protective of the creative content released on this website. I research, write, edit, and publish it all. I could allow guest writers to post, but out of all the requests I get (and there are several), I’ve yet to get one that I believe aligns with what The Wealthy Ironworker stands for. Better to keep it focused, intentional, and authentic.

December 2025 – I met this goal, helping reinforce that at least three times a month is a good cadence. In fact, I’ve been thinking of increasing my output to four times a month (unofficially, of course), so it’s at least once a week. 2026 will be the year to see if this happens.

 

2025 Goals December Review – Target focus podcast episodes

Year two – time to get more focused

 

I started the podcast in December 2023 – a milestone here at The Wealthy Ironworker. In 2023, the goal was to start it, and in 2024, it was to release podcast episodes once a week. This year, it’s to target focus podcast episodes.

What do I mean by that?

The primary reason is to focus on quality and not quantity. That may sound strange, especially following last year’s goal of one a week. But the reality is, things change – and I am not immune to change, either.

Several things are bringing this about:

1. I work in the field with scheduled overtime
2. I am navigating through a family loss (THIS has taken a toll on me more than anything else)
3. I am noticing an increase in interest in guest appearances – on my podcast and as a guest on others
4. I have some potential partnerships in the works
5. At some point, I will seek to leverage short-form content

The above is enough for now. In any case, I’m optimistic about this goal and for 2025 overall.

 

Another month into the year, and I haven’t really done much with the podcast. The primary reason is that I got sick and lost my voice! 😡 Timing being what it is, I was just about to embark on several podcast episodes and even guest appear elsewhere. Moreover, the first of May will see me working a shutdown, so more time will pass before I can start podcasting again.

The above was true for last month, and as I write this, I am in the middle of another shutdown, so I hope to record some podcast episodes in a week or so when the outage is over and I have some time to get in the studio I have someone who wants to do multiple podcasts with me and I am excited for that. Plus, I have some already recorded and others scheduled, so I’m optimistic. 

December 2025: I’ve met this goal for the third month in a row, which is something to write home about 😏

Seriously, though, getting back behind the microphone has not just enabled me to meet this goal but also improved my research and off-the-cuff monologues. I’ve got a lot more planned for 2026.

 

 

2025 Goals December Review – Expand The Leadership Series

2025 – It’s time to expand The Leadership Series to the next level

 

This is something I began last year: to “write extensively on leadership.” I even labeled 2024 the year of leadership here at The Wealthy Ironworker. And while that goal WAS met, it was ambiguous – it wasn’t focused enough.

I have spent a fair amount of time behind the computer screen researching, writing, and honing my leadership approach – and with the experience I’ve gained out in the field, I believe this model is worth all the effort I’ll put in. Out of all the series I have (written and planned), this is one of the most valuable to me as I can see wide application.

December 2025: I didn’t post a leadership article this month – but I DID read an excellent book over the Christmas holiday that has definitely given me something to think about when it comes to leadership. I will continue to expand The Leadership Series until my current outline is published and/or I have additional material to include. I am very pleased with the progress, and 2025 will conclude as a robust study in leadership here at The Wealthy Ironworker. I am excited for this to be explored, adapted, and ultimately discovered by others – it’s that helpful.

Moreover, I have evidence that this leadership model is effective. There’s nothing quite like being told hiring you was the best decision the company has ever made – and this was from someone I led, no less. I’ll take that compliment all day long. 

Once these articles are published, I will turn them into podcast episodes for greater exposure and consumption. AND, at some point in the future, I will explore the possibility of turning the entire series into a book.

You can check out The Leadership Series for yourself. 

 

 

2025 Goals December Review – Prioritize personal health

 

Yes, at the first of the year, and yes, it’s a psychological thing for people: A new year, a new you. For one reason or another, most of us are susceptible to that thinking, which is why I start the goals at the beginning of the year in the first place.

It’s also why I’m listing this as one of my goals, too.

You see, I could keep a goal like prioritizing my health to myself, but “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” The more people know about a goal, the more likely someone is to do the work to accomplish it – hence why it is added to the yearly five.

What exactly do I mean by “prioritizing my health?”

Starting out, I will attempt the following concerning my physical health (December results in Italics:)

1. Zero alcohol – Failed this month yet again 
2. 8,000 daily steps (roughly 4 miles a day) – For December 2025, I don’t think I’ve met this goal. I downloaded a pedometer app to help track my steps, and for the short time I’ve had it, I have been surprised at just how few steps I’ve actually taken.
3. Take a multivitamin daily – Actually slipped my mind 🙄
4. 50% of my body weight drank in ounces of water daily – I KNOW I achieve this; I drink A LOT of water daily
5. Maintain a 500 – 1,000 calorie deficit daily –  From July until now, I didn’t really pay attention to what I was consuming – I know I didn’t achieve this
6. Establish a consistent workout regimen (strength training and cardio) – I have yet to start this

In short, the physical health markers have been a dumpster fire and very unsuccessful, for yet another month and indeed, for most of 2025.

I have something in store for 2026.

 

For spiritual health, I attempt the following:

1. Read a devotional daily –  Every morning
2. Read my bible daily – Every morning
3. Read/study books I’ve had on my shelf for too long now – I just finished reading a book an author sent me (book review to follow). What’s more, I’ve finished one more book, and was so impressed with it I have already finished the book review for it.BUT, over the Christmas holiday, I added at least 8 additional books to my collection. Oh well, I’ll continue to chip away…

 

The results that matter?

• December 1st: ?
• December 31st: I didn’t focus on weighing myself, primarily because I’ve internally given up on this goal 🙄

The past six months were bad for me – no two ways around it. At this point, 2026 has some things I’m focused on that should definitely change things.

 

 

2025 Goals December Review – Rotational goals for the year

 

What exactly are rotational goals?

Well, I thought instead of adding one additional goal here, I’d try something different and add several that could be accomplished throughout the year. This not only gives me the flexibility to adjust my focus month by month, but it also enables me to accomplish more by the end of 2025.

As of right now, these are the rotational goals I’m including here (subject to change/expansion, of course):

1. Quasi-soundproof the podcast studio
2. Review at least 6 more books for The Book Review Series to be published in 2025
3. Expand The Mental Health Series

 

I’ll expand on what I want to do with each of them below.

 

Quasi-soundproof the podcast studio

The place where I record all podcast episodes – affectionately called “the studio,” is nothing more than an area in the basement that is 8′ x 12′. Moreover, the basement ceiling is slightly more than 6′; I don’t have to bend down to walk – BUT if you’ve ever been in a basement before, it’s an echo chamber. Every noise made upstairs is reverberated down there. As such, I hear more than I’d like to.

Having said that, though, it would be quite the endeavor to completely soundproof that area – which is why I have it listed as “quasi-soundproof.” I plan to frame the sides with walls and French doors (both sides) and put insulation in those same walls and ceiling, along with drywall, attempting to reduce noise dramatically.

December 2025: Nothing of significance to report here. The room has been framed in, the noise has been cut down from upstairs to a degree, and the next thing I need to do is build doors (something I don’t have drive to do right now). Once the doors are in, the noise will drop even more (something I’m hoping to tackle in 2026). In any case, this goal has been met. 

 

Review at least 6 more books for The Book Review Series to be published in 2025

I didn’t want to merely repeat last year’s goal of expanding The Book Review Series – but I didn’t want to abandon it, either. There are so many good books out there I want to read and review – many of which are sitting on a bookshelf waiting patiently. By setting a specific number of them to read and review, I have elevated the bar to hold myself accountable.

December 2025 – I’ve published seven book reviews this year: Pensionless – The Ten Step Solution For A Stress-Free Retirement – Book Review, Mad Genius – Book Review, Capitalists Arise! – Book Review, Start Something That Matters – Book Review, The War of Art – Book Review, Do the Work – Book Review , and Work Backwards – Book Review. I have more in draft form, but I’ve met this year’s goal!

 

Expand The Mental Health Series

I’ve been in the trades for a long time now, and I can attest to the number of people (mostly men) who have been overwhelmed by what life has thrown at them. Many are steamrolled because of the demands of work, relationship and marriage failures, the corrupt family court system that turns them into mere paychecks, substance abuse, and the lack of friends – I could go on, and indeed, I plan to while I expand The Mental Health Series.

Like other series, the outline is subject to change, but as it currently stands, I have a rough outline that looks like this:

1. Mental Health in the Construction Industry
2. Acknowledging the Stigma Against Mental Health
3. Men & The Broken Family Court System
4. Finances – Fighting For What Your Time is REALLY Worth
5. Substance Abuse – A Skilled Trades Epidemic
6. Social Media – We’ve Never Been So Connected But So Isolated
7. Comparison – The Thief of Joy
8. Hope – The Elephant NOT in the Room
9. Suicide – YOU Matter More Than You Know
10. You Are NOT A Burden
11. We NEED Good Friends
12. Burnout – THE Future of the Industry
13. Bad Therapy: Why The Kids Aren’t Growing Up – Book Review
14. Becoming Resilient – What Can We Do?

 

I understand that people consume podcasts more readily than the written word; to that end, once this series is written, it will, at some point, be turned into podcast episodes. The work, when completed, will definitely be worth it in the end.

December 2025 – The Mental Health Series hasn’t been expanded – but it hasn’t been abandoned, either. I had the idea to do more research/write on it, but as it stands, life has simply gotten in the way. Oh well, that’s how goals are: We set them, try to pursue them, and if we don’t/can’t, we change things up. I’ll definitely get around to it, though. It’s now a goal for 2026.

 

 

Conclusion

2025, now over, was bright.

 

Now that 2025 is over, many of the goals I’ve set seem to be tracking well. For the ones I didn’t accomplish, I need to reassess as to why. 

Remember, THIS is why I write these goals down and track them on a monthly basis in the first place: For personal growth and to give others a template to do the same. 

Instead of letting life simply happen to you, set some goals, evaluate them at regular intervals, and begin to work on achieving them. It’s not always easy, but then again, easy isn’t appreciated or enjoyed. When you’ve been intentional, disciplined yourself, and sacrificed, you begin to see the real worth of achieving said goals. And that worth is often far more than you thought.

Follow along and set some 2025 goals!

2025 goals December review done!