By Dave Smith, The Ultimate 2025 Coach
There’s a new trend sweeping TikTok called the Great Lock In. It’s not just about fitness or sugar-free diets—it’s about choosing something important and going all in.
When you’re “locked in,” distractions fade. You’re not pulled off course by notifications, endless scrolling, or the shiny lure of busyness. Instead, you’re fully absorbed in the task that matters most.
This isn’t just for 20-somethings on social media—it’s powerful for anyone aiming to make the most of 2025. Why? Because a new year can easily become a season of drifting. Without focus, goals slide. But locking in—on your health, your purpose, your relationships, or even a long-postponed dream—keeps life meaningful.
My son Caleb, a web developer and bodybuilder, lives in this mindset daily. His secret? He doesn’t obsess over the end goal. He just moves forward a little bit every day. That’s how you eat an elephant: one bite at a time.
And here’s the kicker: when you stop obsessing about the outcome and focus on the process, you often find flow—the joy of being fully absorbed in what you’re doing. That’s where progress and peace meet.
What is the one area of your life that deserves your lock-in focus between now and December 31, 2025?
Let’s build your personal Lock-In Plan. This will help you identify where to focus, what daily steps to take, and how to stay accountable.
1. Choose Your Focus Area
( ) Health (exercise, nutrition, sleep)
( ) Finances (budgeting, investing, saving)
( ) Relationships (family, friendships, community)
( ) Personal Growth (learning, creativity, purpose)
( ) Other: ______________________
2. Define Your WHY
Why is this area important to me?
3. Set Your Daily Step
What small, repeatable action will I commit to daily?
Example: Walk 20 minutes, drink 8 glasses of water, write 200 words.
4. Plan Your Environment
What distractions will I remove?
What support will I add?
5. Accountability
Who will I tell?
Where will I track my progress? (journal, app, calendar)
Locking in isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. As T.S. Eliot wrote, “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.”
So don’t wait until January 1, 2026, to make your resolutions. Start now. Lock in today, and finish 2025 strong—one small step at a time.