A new year often brings the obligatory practice of establishing resolutions. And I certainly support that intentionality, especially because most of us are aware of the changes we could make to improve our lives and relationships. But resolutions don’t tend to stick. Research shows that over 90% of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned within a few months. Common reasons include setting overly ambitious goals, not understanding the underlying motivations, and not being fully prepared for change. So, this year, I want to offer a different approach—monthly challenges with Noble Hill.

Here’s the plan for 2025: a series of monthly challenges will be featured in our quarterly newsletters and shared monthly on LinkedIn. These challenges are designed to inspire both personal and professional growth, and I encourage you to engage with them, find an accountability partner, and keep us updated on your progress. You can even invite others to join the challenge.

If you know Lacey or me well, you know we are challenge junkies. We thrive on routine and habit, but we also love to mix things up with new challenges. For example, we’re committed to walking 10,000 steps (or more) daily, which can be tough during Cleveland’s winter. Thankfully, our local Rec Center offers great amenities to keep us moving. We also challenge ourselves to practice gratitude daily, meal prep healthy food for the week, travel to new places every year,  and write handwritten thank you notes—a lost art.

The January Challenge: Get Out in Traffic

The focus of our January challenge is connecting and networking, or as we call it at Noble Hill, “getting out in traffic.” What does that mean? It means being intentional about spending time outside your usual circles and making new connections. Whether it’s professionally or personally, stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging with new people can lead to incredible opportunities and growth.

Networking is worth doing because it can open doors to new job opportunities, enhance career progression, and foster personal growth. Additionally, your efforts to connect can have a positive impact on others by offering support, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth.

Monthly Challenge: Connecting and Networking

  • Personal: Reach out to one new person each week, whether it’s reconnecting with an old friend or meeting someone new, to build your social network.
  • Professional: Attend a networking event, join a professional group, or connect with colleagues on LinkedIn to expand your professional network.

The clock starts now. The challenge is on! We’d love to feature your stories about how you approached these challenges and what the impact has been. Share your experiences with us, and we’ll keep you updated on our progress, too. Let’s make this year one of growth and connection.