By C200 Member Beth Boettcher Finke
At the start of 2024, I wrote an article advocating for a holistic approach to goal setting—one that nurtures both personal and professional ambitions. I challenged the traditional mindset that focusing solely on career goals was the key to success. Instead, I proposed that by taking a more measured and thoughtful approach, we could create a fulfilling, sustainable professional life infused with more moments of joy and happiness.
I took my own advice this year and stepped up to the challenge. For the first time in decades, I made well-being a priority alongside my professional goals. The result has been a year that reinvigorated me with a sense of fulfillment. While I won’t bore you with how great I feel, I will tell you this: the ideas I’ve generated and the energy to pursue them have brought me back to life. I can confidently say that 2024 was a success! Focusing on the basics—sleep, movement, and eating well—sparked my biggest and most exciting ideas.
Focusing on sleep, movement, and eating well sparked my most exciting ideas.
I recently listened to an interview on the Interior Design Magazine podcast with Cindy Allen, where she spoke with the legendary designer Barbara Barry. What struck me most was Barbara’s insight into the power of ideas and the incredible energy they can ignite. She explained that when we truly believe in ourselves and have confidence in our abilities, we unlock the potential to bring our dreams to life.
This perspective resonated with me, especially as I reflected on my year. When I made the conscious choice to prioritize well-being, remove distractions, and surround myself with supportive, motivating people, I found that not only did my energy levels skyrocket, but ideas that once seemed distant or unattainable were much more tangible.
When you trust in your own vision, it creates a powerful momentum. It’s as if the universe aligns to help you turn those ideas into reality. That energy, fueled by self-belief, is what has driven me to pursue my passions with newfound clarity and excitement.
While sleep, exercise, and better nutrition certainly played a role in this creative surge, I believe a deliberate decision I made had the greatest impact: I focused on removing what was dragging me down and surrounding myself with people who truly motivated and inspired me. By cutting out unproductive meetings, I could spend more time focusing on the goals I set at the onset of the year and surround myself with people who were motivators, encouragers, and coaches who genuinely wanted to see me succeed.
The environment I created also helped me embrace a concept that Lisa Feldman Barrett, PhD, discusses in her TED article: the idea that the people we spend time with have a profound effect on our mental and emotional well-being. According to Barrett, the right people in our lives can help reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and even provide the encouragement we need to bring our ideas to life. I’ve found this to be incredibly true over the past year.
2025: Turning Ideas Into Action
As we look toward 2025, let's approach our goal setting with intention and focus. The strategies that worked for me this year—prioritizing well-being, cultivating a supportive network, and committing to clear, actionable plans— are the same principles that can drive success in the year to come.
For those ready to turn their big ideas into tangible outcomes, here’s a framework to guide your plan, drawing on lessons from Glenn Llopis’ article on converting ideas into action:
- Make Well-Being Non-Negotiable: Ensure that well-being is built into your daily routine. Set non-negotiable boundaries around sleep, physical activity, and nutrition. When you consistently prioritize your health, you build the foundation for both creative thinking and sustained leadership.
- Define Success Clearly: Understand what success looks like. It’s not a vague ambition; it’s a clearly defined outcome. Break down your long-term goals into measurable steps that allow you to track progress and stay motivated.
- Create a Long-Term Vision and Timeline: Instead of focusing on short-term wins, take a long-term approach. Don’t be afraid to create a timeline that spans several years, allowing you the time and flexibility to refine your ideas, iterate on them, and bring them to life. Patience is key when working on ambitious, transformative goals.
- Build Your Personal Board of Advisors: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and experts who can help guide your journey. A personal board of advisors provides a diverse set of perspectives, accountability, and support. Assemble a team of trusted individuals who challenge your ideas and help you see new possibilities.
- Collaborate with Creative Minds: Collaborate with accomplished creatives who can help you refine and articulate your ideas. Their expertise can take your vision from concept to execution in ways you might not have imagined on your own.
- Expand Your Network to Amplify Your Ideas: Success doesn’t happen in isolation. Leverage your network to connect the dots and amplify your ideas. Expanding your circle can provide valuable opportunities, partnerships, and resources to move your initiatives forward.
2025 Is Your Year of Execution
Now is the moment to reflect on the ideas that have been simmering within you. The groundwork for success has been set: prioritize your well-being, cultivate a supportive environment, and map out a clear plan of action. If you're ready to move from concept to execution, this is the time to set focused intentions, take purposeful steps, and hold yourself accountable. Make 2025 the year you turn your ideas into reality!
Beth Boettcher Finke is former Senior Vice President in Oracle North America Applications, where she led the transformation of their consulting business. Beth also spent 19 years at Accenture, pioneering its cloud consulting business. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for BriteCore.
