New Year’s Resolution Ideas for 2025: Better Skills
Gentleman. As we approach the end of the year (bloody hell, that was fast), thoughts about New Year’s resolution ideas inevitably come to mind. The tradition of setting goals for yourself or your family (or both) is actually a great way to welcome the new year.
We all have dreams and goals that we, well…dream, of achieving one day, but the reality is that if you don’t have a plan or some logical way to work towards that goal, you’re making it quite unlikely for yourself to achieve it.
Funnily enough, many of you probably do this in your job to help the company at the end of each year – reviewing annual performance and setting plans for the upcoming year. All of this helps the company grow. So why not do it for yourself?
With 2024 closed and 2025 already upon us, it’s time we close out the series with some achievable and worthwhile New Year’s resolution ideas that can improve you as an elite male specimen – this week, we’re talking about your skills.
Why You Should Plan for Better Skills
As we step into 2025, us men should really seize the opportunity to enhance our skills. As the world embraces automation and artificial intelligence, skillful people and adaptability are more valuable than ever. Considering the host of skills one could have, including communication skills, mastering a new hobby, or enhancing professional expertise through online courses, you can’t go wrong.
“What you are capable of doing says a lot about you“
Your skills are a culmination of who you are and what you can do. What you are capable of doing says a lot about you – be it physical skills or soft skills. If you are a well mannered person, you will have the skill to communicate and talk nicely with others. If you are a handyman, you will have the skills to resolve physical issues by fixing things. You get the idea.
Goal #1: Hone Your Language Skills
Having lived in different countries, if there’s one thing I found to be incredibly useful, it’s the ability to speak different languages.
Language is arguably the biggest barrier when traveling or just talking to people of different nationalities. Unless you need it for your career or something, I would prioritize being able to communicate at least basically in multiple languages, as opposed to being a master of just one language.
Even if someone speaks broken english for example, they can still communicate with you in addition to others in their native tongue; and this is always impressive to me.
So wherever you are in the world, learn a language (or two). There are so many language learning apps – such as Duolingo and Babbel – which you can have with you on the go for whenever you’re waiting, free, bored or simply have time to yourself.
Goal #2: Pick up a Hobby or Two
Gentleman, you need a hobby. Hobbies are becoming increasingly uncommon nowadays and that’s quite sad. There are many benefits that come with having hobbies including:
- They’re a good way to get away from screens
- A new hobby can get you out of the routine that you may be stuck in
- They allow you to de-stress after a tough day
- You develop various skills in the process
- It improves your mental health
- It can improve your physical health too if it involves some movement
There are no shortage of things for you to pick up. The choices are endless. Go with whatever interests you and just start.
If you need a little inspiration to get started, I came across this nice list on Reddit of 100 different hobbies you can try (gotta love Reddit sometimes).
Goal #3: Become Handy
Among the pinnacles of manliness, being able to make or fix things yourself is in a league of its own. If this is something new to you, it should definitely be on your list of New Year’s resolution ideas for 2025.
“being able to make or fix things yourself is in a league of its own“
As men, we are often called upon to provide the strength and support for those around us. One of the best ways you can do this is by being capable of repairing things when the need arises. Now, you don’t have to up and become a full-time handyman, but you certainly should learn the essentials.
Not sure where to start? By getting all the basic tools of course! Think of the trusty screwdriver and hammer among others. This article gives you a rundown on all the things you need to be ready to go.
Once you have your toolbox down, you can take it step by step and learn the basics:
- Home repairs and improvements – drilling a hole in the wall, hanging things, fixing furniture and doors etc.
- Plumbing – leaky faucets, clogged toilets, problematic shower-heads etc.
- Electrical – replacing light fixtures, power outlets, fuses etc.
We even have a foolproof guide on how you can simply change a power outlet right here on AMHQ (more to come, so stay tuned).
Goal #4: Find Your Signature Dish
No man’s journey is complete if they don’t yet know how to cook. Cooking is an essential skill because, simply put, you need to stay alive.
We all know the benefits of cooking right? Do I need to say anything? I guess I will.
- It helps you save money (compared to restaurants and even cheaper supermarket food). Don’t even get me started on the price comparison for a salad or sandwich.
- You eat healthier. Home cooked food is usually spared from all the weird industrial ingredients as well as excessive unhealthy things like sugar, salt and butter.
- You’d be surprised how many great dishes you can make at home instead of buying. You don’t have to be picky with what you eat.
- You develop an array of lifelong culinary skills by learning how to cook.
- Cooking a great signature meal is a surefire way to impress people.
So step forth into this world people call “The Kitchen” and unleash your inner chef. Learn the basics from kitchen utensils and cooking styles to meats and vegetables.
I personally enjoyed the Basics with Babish series on YouTube which I’ll link here if you guys wanna check it out.
Goal #5: Learn to Master the Day
At the end of the day (see what I did there?), you can’t learn or practice any skills if you don’t have time. If you really want to maximize any skill (and your life), you must learn to master your day.
We all have the same 24 hours each day, so everything ultimately comes down to how you manage your time. You can check out our article on “6 Time Management Tricks Successful People Use to Boost Their Productivity to 100%” where we cover various strategies including planning method, prioritizing and the power of starting small.
If you can successfully become one of those people who maximizes the day, you will notice a world of difference in your life, from the things you are able to accomplish to the habits you are able to build.
The Bottom Line
There you have it. Some straightforward New Year’s resolution ideas you can adopt to better your skills in 2025.
While they may be simple, staying committed to these is easier said than done. Everyone starts their new year with goals but majority of people don’t follow through with it. As an alpha male, this isn’t you. Don’t let yourself become one of those people.
Alpha Tip
Take a moment to review your 2024. What are your strengths and weaknesses? How skilled are you?
Find out where you could improve and set a goal for that. Make a clear plan for how often you are going to do it and how you going to do it exactly. Keep a timeframe for you to check back and assess your progress.
Remember, more than most other things, your future self will be really grateful that you took the time to focus on skills. They’ll always come in handy. So let 2025 be the year you work on yourself and become a truly skilled person.
Here’s to a good year done and a great year ahead. Wishing all our brothers (and sisters) a happy new year.
Stay Skilled Gentleman