If you really want to “crush it” in 2025 …

For years, I’ve seen people — friends, acquaintances, “influencers” — wake up and declare to the world, “I’m going to CRUSH today!” Their attitude? Total domination. Nothing could stop them. They were the masters of their own destinies, riding the wave of relentless ambition.

But time tells a different story. Many of those same people ended up crushed — by life, by circumstances, by their own unchecked drive. Divorce. Business failures. Substance abuse. Burnout. Financial ruin. Relational breakdowns. The hard truth? Life is bigger than us, and no amount of self-proclaimed dominance can change that.

So, should we just coast through life, avoiding ambition and growth? Not at all. But if you really want to “crush it” in 2025, you need a different approach, one rooted not in personal supremacy, but in walking with God, stewarding your life well, and thriving in the ways that truly matter. Here’s some insights for that:

1. Commune with God Every Day.
Nothing — absolutely nothing — is more important than who God is in your life and deepening your relationship with Him. If you neglect this, every other area of your life will suffer, no matter how much outward success you achieve. Make time with God a priority every single day, not out of obligation but because you desperately want AND need it.

James 4:8 reminds us, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” If you want strength, wisdom, peace, and endurance, start by drawing near to Him.

2. Exercise Your Body.
Your physical health impacts everything — your energy, mood, focus, and even your ability to fulfill God’s calling. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the importance of caring for your body. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

Exercise isn’t about vanity; it’s about stewardship. Move your body. Stay strong. The goal isn’t physical perfection, it’s honoring the life and body God has given you.

3. Fuel Your Body Well.
You can’t thrive if you’re running on junk. What you eat fuels your mind, body, and spirit. Instead of seeing food as mere pleasure or convenience, start seeing it as fuel for the work God has called you to do. Make choices that support well-being,, energy, and longevity.

4. Recommit to Your Local Church.
Too many people treat church as optional, as though faith is a solo endeavor. But God designed us to need each other. Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Your church family is vital. You need encouragement, accountability, worship, and teaching for spiritual maturing. If you’ve drifted from church, now is the time to dive back in — not just as a spectator, but as an active participant in the body of Christ.

5. Be Persistent in Nurturing Relationships.
Want to know the number one reason most relationships fail? Neglect. Whether it’s your marriage, friendships, or family, relationships require intentional care.

You can’t expect strong, lasting relationships if you only give attention when it’s convenient. Invest in people. Have meaningful conversations. Be there when they need you. Forgive quickly. Love generously. Make time.

6. Be Productive (Yes, It’s Okay!).
We live in a culture that constantly emphasizes self-care, rest, and slowing down — and while those things have their place, let’s not forget that productivity is not a curse. It’s a blessing. God designed us to work, to create, to contribute. Proverbs 13:4 puts it bluntly: “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.”

A simple key to productivity? Start your day with the task you least want to do. If you put it off, you’ll likely get carried away with what you enjoy and never get to it. Flip the order — tackle the hard stuff first, then let the things you enjoy serve as a motivator.

7. Set Your Attitude Every Day.
You don’t have to be excessively positive, but you do need to be intentional about your outlook. Your attitude shapes your interactions, decisions, and resilience.

One simple but powerful communication principle? Go into every conversation trying to agree with the person you’re listening to — until you can’t. Then, if a difference of opinion arises, approach it with wisdom and grace. This mindset fosters better relationships, stronger leadership, and deeper understanding.

The Bottom Line.
The people who shouted about “crushing it” often ended up crushed. Some lost their families. Some wrecked their health. Others spiraled into addiction, financial ruin, or despair. They charged into life with confidence but without wisdom, without discipline, and most of all, without God.

What about you?

What will be said of your life when 2025 comes to a close? Will you be another name on the list of those who ran hard but fell hard? Or will you look back and see a year of real strength, real growth, and real faith?

The difference won’t be in how loud you talk, it will be in how you live.

Scotty