Lessons for Changemakers in 2025
At the end of the year, one of my core values shows up for me in a big way: learning. Every December, I dive into a favorite ritual—reviewing the year, reflecting on what I’ve learned, and planning for what’s next. It’s honestly one of my favorite things to do! But it’s not just about the fun of it—there’s real value in the incredible clarity it gives me. Taking stock helps me not only figure out what I want to do differently but also celebrate what’s already been accomplished.
Looking at 2024 from the changemaker’s perspective, it feels…well, let's say it's complicated. The outcome of the 2024 election was devastating for many, and the effects will ripple far beyond this year. For some, it’s still too fresh to even think about what we can learn from it and the thought of moving forward can feel overwhelming.
On top of that, fundraising continues to be a massive challenge for many social change organizations. Donations are down in the post-COVID world, forcing many groups to rethink their models, budgets, and even their core mission. For a lot of organizations, this means narrowing their scope, which feels especially difficult when the need for their services feels greater than ever.
In other words, it’s easy to feel disheartened as a social change leader as 2024 approaches its final curtain call.
Each year I choose a word to guide my focus, and this year, my word was core. The idea was to focus on what matters most, rather than juggling a million competing priorities. I wasn’t perfect at it, but the impact was undeniable. At Javelina, we successfully restructured our sales strategy, and initial results are very promising. And on a personal note, I completed the first draft of my book—something I’m really proud of! Two huge goals I accomplished by saying no to a ton of other things.
With that, here’s what I’ve learned: when the need is greater than ever, the answer isn’t to try and do more with less—it’s to do less with less. By focusing your energy and resources, you’ll accomplish more by driving one or two priorities to the finish line, instead of spreading yourself thin and only moving five goals 100 yards each. And this is even more important when we’re feeling depleted, discouraged, and fearful for the future. Trust me, less is more.
Less Is More In Practice
As I was diving into my 2025 planning, I started thinking about how I want to grow catherinealonzo.com to support changemakers in even more meaningful ways. I knew I wanted to focus on three big areas:
building out my keynote speaking,
developing a consistent calendar of workshops,
and finishing my book.
But as I sat down and really looked at what these goals would require, I realized each one is a huge undertaking. And I can’t do it all. Something had to go. It was a hard decision, but ultimately, I had to prioritize what my readers need now.
As often happens, the decision clicked for me during a run. My audiobook informed me that the brain uses about 20% of our calories. It reinforced how much thinking drains our juices, and that my time, energy, and brain power are limited. So, to really serve my audience and achieve my goals, I need to focus on just two things — the book and the speaking. Why? Because speaking lets me reach so many people at once, and I love doing it. And the book, well, it’s urgent. It’s a tool I believe changemakers need right now, especially with everything going on in the world.
So, my advice to you, as we head into 2025: hone in on your most important goals and give them all your energy. Let everything else fall away.