The Road Forward | #63

By Armaan Athwal

Today's Overview:

• Good systems outlast motivation

• Failure is feedback in disguise and small wins are still wins

• Quote of the day

What Worked, What Didn’t

Last week, we talked about creating systems for the new year, a strategy far better than the typical New Year’s resolution of just jotting down goals.

The problem with resolutions is that they’re all surface-level hope and no framework. Writing “Get fit,” “Save money,” or “Start a business” doesn’t mean much without a system to back it up.

A resolution without a system is like mapping out a destination without considering the roads you need to take. Systems are the roads, they keep you moving, even when the destination feels far away.

Now, as we close out 2024, it feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on the year—the good, the bad, and the lessons in between.

Let’s start with the good because it’s easy to lose sight of those wins when we’re constantly chasing the next thing. Maybe this year, you nailed a habit you’ve been working on for years. Or maybe you took a risk that paid off. Even small wins deserve recognition, they’re proof that the system is working, even if it’s not perfect.

But we can’t skip over the hard parts. This year likely had its fair share of setbacks, failures, and moments where nothing seemed to go right. These aren’t just footnotes in your story, they’re chapters that need reading. If you got knocked down, what pulled you back up? If you felt stuck, what pushed you forward? The bad stuff isn’t just there to be endured, it’s there to teach. Sometimes, it’s the worst days that reveal the cracks in your system, the places where you need to adapt or improve. And if nothing else, they’re proof that you can survive more than you thought.

Taking time to pause and reflect isn’t about romanticizing the past or getting stuck in it. It’s about understanding where you’ve been so you can decide where you’re going. Think of it as data collection. What’s working? What isn’t? What’s worth bringing into 2025, and what needs to be left behind?

As the calendar turns, don’t just aim to be a better version of yourself. Aim to be a more intentional version. The kind of person who builds systems, learns from mistakes, and celebrates wins, no matter how small. And remember, there’s no deadline on growth. January 1st is just a date; your real work starts whenever you’re ready.

Quote of the Day

“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.” - Johnny Cash