From Chaos to Clarity: Choosing a Word to Transform Your Personal and Professional Life in 2025

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to feel pulled in a million directions.

Between managing your business, balancing personal commitments, taking care of family and tackling endless to-do lists, life can feel overwhelming to say the least. 

It’s like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle—eventually, something is going to fall.

That’s why setting a clear intention for your year is so powerful.

It helps you step off the unicycle, put down the torches, and  Focus on What Really Matters.

For me, choosing a single guiding word has been transformative, helping me realign my priorities and focus my energy.

In 2024, my word was Simplicity, and in 2025, it’s Emerge.

Here’s how this practice has shaped my entrepreneurial journey and how it can do the same for you.

Reflecting on 2024: Simplicity

In 2024, my business had become an overwhelming whirlwind of tasks, goals, and commitments that seemed never-ending and almost everything became unfulfilling and meaningless. 

It was one of the most difficult years of my life, often accompanied by feelings of defeat, hopelessness, and worthlessness, as my identity was so deeply wrapped up in my business and my career.

I chose the word "simplicity" because I needed to find a sense of stability and calm, and to regain focus and clarity.

But simplicity didn’t mean doing less for the sake of doing less—it meant doing what mattered most to reclaim my sense of self and purpose.

Here’s what simplicity looked like for me:

• Letting go of a business that no longer aligned with my values: I made the most                   gut-wrenching yet liberating decision to close a business that I knew I had to let go of, and should have done so sooner than I did. Although I still have moments where I hear the whisper of "I failed," I’ve gained valuable insights. I have regained my intuition and can see more clearly what worked, what didn’t, what served me, and what drained me. 

• Streamlining operations: I took a HARD, honest look at my workflows and systems, both professionally and personally. I reflected on what processes were actually helping me and my businesses move forward, and what were just busy work that filled up time. I removed unnecessary steps, simplified the tools I used, and created smoother, more sustainable workflows.

  A big win for me was finally finding an app that works with my AuDHD brain and sticking with it daily. If you’re looking for something that organizes your calendars, lets you click and drag to-dos from emails, connect your Trello boards, and has integrated timers and focus tools like the Pomodoro method—check out Sunsama! It's been a game changer for me.

• Prioritizing my strengths: Instead of wearing 12 different hats, I chose the hats that fit best—focusing on tasks aligned with my expertise and passions while delegating or outsourcing the rest.
• Creating space for reflection: I carved out time for journaling, visioning, brainspotting and yoga or reiki each week. This wasn’t just another item on my to-do list (although I did add it to my new favorite to-do list!)—it was sacred time to reconnect with the “why” behind my business and life.

By simplifying, I didn’t just survive—I thrived. My decisions became clearer, my team was more aligned, and my energy was directed toward what truly made an impact.

Looking Ahead to 2025: Emerge

With simplicity as my foundation, I’m stepping into 2025 ready to emerge. This word represents more than just growth—it’s about showing up fully and authentically in every aspect of my personal and professional life and being able to put my SELF first.

It’s about finally stepping out from behind the curtain and saying, “This is who I am, and this is what I bring to the table.” 

Here’s how emerge will guide me:

• Elevating my brand: I’m leaning into what makes my business unique and finding new ways to share my mission with the world.
• Embracing limitations: Emergence means stepping into roles that might feel uncomfortable but are necessary for my growth. AND, It’s about acknowledging where I need support, setting boundaries, and embracing my expertise without overextending myself.
• Expanding my vision: I’m exploring opportunities to grow my business that align with my values AND long-term goals, from launching new programs to re-connecting and collaborating with like-minded professionals.

Emerging isn’t just about stepping forward—it’s about stepping forward with purpose and intention.

How to Choose a Guiding Word for Your Business

If you’re ready to transform your business in 2025, here’s how you can choose your own guiding word:

1. Reflect on Your Business Journey
• What challenges did you face this year, and what lessons did you learn?
• What parts of your business and personal life felt aligned, and where did you feel stuck?
2. Define Your Vision for 2025
• What do you want to achieve in the coming year?
• What values do you want your business & home life to embody?
3. Brainstorm Words That Inspire You
• Write down words that reflect your intentions and goals. Narrow your list by asking yourself: Which word excites me most? Which word feels like a guide?
4. Integrate Your Word Into Your Business & At Home
• Use your word as a lens for decision-making. When faced with a choice, ask, Does this align with my word and vision?
• Incorporate your word into your daily practices. Journal about how you’re embodying your word, create a vision board, or set reminders to keep it top of mind.

How Coaching Can Help You Emerge

At Cultivating Bricolage, I work with entrepreneurs to align their businesses with their values and create strategies for sustainable growth.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to take your next big step,                                      coaching provides the clarity and support you need to thrive.

Together, we can map out your goals, clear the clutter, and build a plan that feels aligned AND achievable—without the burnout.

Coaching is a space where you can explore new ideas, navigate challenges, and make empowered decisions.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a guiding word for your business is more than a New Year’s resolution—                                                          It’s a commitment to intentional growth.

Whether your word is simplicity, emerge, or something entirely your own, let it guide you toward clarity, alignment, and success.

Here’s to thriving in 2025!

Hi, I’m Dawn Leprich-Graves, LCPC, LPC, PMH-C, ASDCS, a licensed individual and couples therapist in IL & SC, coach, teacher, and a late-diagnosed AuDHD'er-turned neuro-affirming advocate, passionate about helping women embrace their authentic selves and live with intention. I offer therapy sessions & intensives to support growth, balance, and connection.

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