Resolutions for Rebels - a provocative take on how leaders can break the rules in 2025
If you’re here, you’re probably not the type to follow cookie-cutter advice. You don’t settle for average, predictable, or safe. You’re a rebel at heart—and in leadership. But let me tell you a secret: rebellion without intention is just noise. The best rebels don’t just break the rules; they rewrite them.
And that’s what this year is all about.
You see, there’s a magic in being bold. It’s what turns one small action into a life-changing, exponential return. The kind of return that feels unfairly big compared to the effort it took.
One idea scribbled on a napkin becomes a million-dollar business.
One call with an old friend sparks a new partnership.
One “I believe in you” changes someone’s life—and yours in the process.
But here's the thing: you can’t get those asymmetric returns by playing by the rules. So, for 2025, let’s rebel. Let’s defy convention and lean into the magic of possibility.
The Rebel’s Manifesto: 26 Resolutions for 2025
Stop waiting for permission. Take the leap. The person you’re waiting for isn’t coming to save you.
Challenge every ‘always.’ “We’ve always done it this way” is the enemy of innovation.
Say ‘no’ more often. Every ‘yes’ is a ‘no’ to something else. Protect your time fiercely.
Invest in people, not just projects. Relationships compound faster than strategies.
Start before you’re ready. Perfection is procrastination in disguise.
Ask the audacious question. The one that makes the room uncomfortable—but opens new doors.
Celebrate every failure. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.
Stop doing what isn’t working. Busywork doesn’t count as progress.
Get louder about what matters. Your team, your clients, and the world need your voice.
Prioritize rest like it’s a KPI. Burnout is not a badge of honor.
Double down on your strengths. Stop apologizing for the things you’re great at.
Read the damn book. The one you’ve been meaning to—yes, that one.
Unsubscribe from mediocre goals. Aim for extraordinary or nothing at all.
Rethink success. Who says it has to look like a title, a paycheck, or a trophy?
Forgive faster. Yourself, especially.
Try something that scares you. Fear is where growth lives.
Be radically honest. Authenticity wins every time.
Cold email the person who inspires you. And don’t stop until you get a reply.
Do the thing that doesn’t make sense—yet. The ROI will surprise you.
Give someone a chance. You needed one once too.
Rewrite your story. Don’t like the narrative? Change it.
Play more. Fun fuels creativity and connection.
Trust your gut. Your instincts are wiser than you think.
Take the detour. The scenic route often leads to unexpected treasures.
Be relentless. The world gives up too quickly—don’t join them.
Do the work. Every day. With unwavering belief.
Why This Matters
We often get stuck in the linear: effort in, result out. But the truth is, the world doesn’t work that way. Magic lives in the exponential—in the one bold move that cascades into something extraordinary.
But you can’t wait for it to happen. You have to make it happen. You have to be the rebel who believes in the possibilities no one else sees.
The Bold Choice: Be a Rebel Leader
Here’s a little story: I started 75 Hard in early December, fully knowing that on January 1, I’d already be 15 days in—not starting from scratch. Why? Because I’ve seen the stats. A shocking percentage of people give up on their New Year’s resolutions by mid-January.
So, I rebelled against the calendar. I didn’t wait for the socially sanctioned “Day 1” to show up on January 1. I made my own Day 1. Bold moves like this aren’t just strategic—they’re a statement. A reminder that your growth doesn’t need to fit someone else’s timeline.
Being bold in your design and decisions is what sets you apart. It’s what allows asymmetric returns—the massive, life-changing ones—to unfold.
Your Leadership Play for 2025
This year, don’t just break the rules. Rewrite them. Take the small, bold actions that have the power to reshape your career, your relationships, and your life.
Remember: the magic of asymmetric returns only works if you do.
So, rebel. Work. Believe. And watch 2025 become the year you didn’t just play the game—you changed it.
My best, always,
Shar
P.S. We're doing 26 resolutions for '25 because... of course, we’re rebels. Why stop at a cliché 25? Let’s make it legendary.