Each year, I sit down and reflect on what I’ve accomplished, what I still want to achieve, and how God is shaping my journey. As I look back at 2024, I see a year of growth, but also a year with its challenges—especially mentally.
On paper, it’s easy to say that I made significant progress. The Customized Ride grew from around 50k followers to over 350K, with over 150 million video views. That’s a huge accomplishment, no doubt, but is it everything I set out to do this year?
If I’m being honest, no. There were so many things I wanted to do for God and my purpose that I didn’t accomplish. That’s been the hardest part of this year—feeling like I fell short in areas that matter deeply to me.
For example, I only just started writing again in October. I had hoped to finish my first book by now. I wanted to speak on at least five stages, to grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Yet, as I sit here and reflect, the greatest accomplishment of the year remains The Customized Ride—and although that’s huge, it’s not everything I hoped for.
Lessons from the Year of Internal Growth
When I look back over my life, I see years of tremendous internal growth and years where I felt stagnant. 2024 was one of those years where internal growth was slower, but I realized something important over the past two months: true change takes time, but it requires intentional action.
The key shift for me? I stopped waiting for change to happen on its own. Instead, I made small, consistent decisions that led to progress.
In the last couple of months, I’ve been reading more, writing more, and even exercising regularly—something I had neglected for a while. This focus on consistency has allowed me to grow in ways I hadn’t in the past two years.
And that’s the key takeaway here: change is hard, but it starts with small steps that add up over time. It’s easy to think you can miss a day of something, then two, then five, and before you know it, you’ve fallen off track. But consistency—showing up every day, even in small ways—is what makes all the difference.
The Customized Ride Growth: A Lesson in Consistency
Let me give you a real example. Why did The Customized Ride grow the way it did this year? It wasn’t by chance. It was because I committed to posting 2-3 videos every day across all social platforms. I didn’t give up after a week or skip days when I felt tired or overwhelmed. I stayed consistent, even when it was hard.
If I had treated The Customized Ride with the same inconsistency I showed in my personal growth this year, it wouldn’t be where it is today. And that’s a powerful lesson for me—consistency makes all the difference.
Starting Small: How to Build Momentum
Here’s what I want you to take away from this: Start small and stay consistent. Instead of overwhelming yourself with grand resolutions, break your goals down into bite-sized, manageable steps. It’s easy to get discouraged when you don’t see big results right away, but daily discipline is what creates lasting change.
What I’ve learned over the years is that you don’t need to do it all at once. It’s better to make consistent, small changes that you can stick with than to go all-in for a few weeks and then burn out. Whether you’re working on personal growth, a business, or even your relationships, consistency is the game changer.
Ignite—The Word of the Year
As I look ahead to 2025, the word that keeps resonating with me is Ignite. It’s not just about lighting a spark, but about fueling a fire that keeps burning throughout the year. This word feels like the perfect fit for where I am right now.
I want to ignite my growth—personally, spiritually, and professionally. I want to fuel The Customized Ride to even greater heights and finish my book, Don’t Quit, Pivot. I want to speak on at least five paid stages and continue building the ministry God has called me to.
But I also want to ignite change in my marriage, my family, and my community. This year is about taking all the small sparks of growth from the last two months and turning them into a flame that propels me forward.
Bible Scriptures on Consistency and Trusting God’s Timing
As I reflect on this journey of growth and consistency, I look to the Bible for encouragement and wisdom. God honors our daily obedience, even when it feels like the results are slow in coming.
- Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
- This verse is a reminder that even when progress seems slow, God has a perfect timing. It’s in those moments of persistence and daily effort that we begin to see the fruits of our labor. Don’t grow weary of the small, consistent steps.
- James 1:4 – “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
- Perseverance in consistency leads to growth and maturity. It’s not always about big leaps but about steady, faithful steps in the right direction that refine us over time.
- Proverbs 12:1 – “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
- Discipline is essential to consistency. It’s the daily actions, the routines we set, and the willingness to stick to them even when it’s hard. God uses these moments of discipline to shape and mold us into who He’s called us to be.
Reflection & Action Steps for 2025
If you’re reading this, I want to encourage you to think about your goals for 2025. What are the things you really want to accomplish? Break them down, starting with your biggest goal and working backward:
- What do you want to accomplish in 2025?
- Break that down into monthly, weekly, and daily steps.
- Make sure you can check in on your progress throughout the year.
It’s so much easier to adjust course throughout the year when you have a clear plan and can recognize early if you’re off track. When you make small, daily changes, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go.
Closing Thoughts: Keep Igniting Change
As for me, 2025 is the year of Ignite. I want to continue growing The Customized Ride to levels I never imagined. I want to grow inside and out—personally, spiritually, and in my marriage. I want to write more, speak more, and finish my book.
And I want you to do the same. Don’t settle for the same habits or mindset you had last year. If you want different results, you have to make different decisions. And that begins with igniting a new approach in your daily life.
So let’s make 2025 the year we commit to consistency, to small steps, and to igniting the change we want to see in our lives.
Reflections & Lessons:
- Consistency is key: Progress is made through daily action, no matter how small. Don’t underestimate the power of showing up.
- Start small, then build: It’s better to take small steps you can sustain than to try to do everything at once and burn out.
- Self-compassion: If you fall off track, don’t beat yourself up—just get back up and keep going.
- Set clear goals: Break your vision for the year into monthly, weekly, and daily steps so you can course-correct along the way.
- Ignite your growth: Choose a word for the year that will inspire you and guide your actions. For me, it’s Ignite—and I encourage you to find your own.
Living a God-Inspired Life,
Chris