The Year Ahead by Eliza Dugan 2024-2025 State Reporter

I have always loved the new year—especially the hope in the air and the promise of new beginnings. However, I always seem to get stuck around this time of year. The weather and the stress of school weigh me down, making it easy to lose sight of my goals. But I’ve learned that staying focused and pushing through these challenges is what truly leads to success.

It’s easy to write down a vague resolution, but the real challenge is setting specific, attainable goals. Instead of saying, “I want to get better at public speaking,” try setting a goal like, “I will practice speaking in front of a group once a week.” This makes your progress measurable and keeps you motivated. When I thought about setting goals, I used to believe they had to be huge and difficult to attain. While big goals are important, I’ve realized that starting small makes all the difference. One late-night drive, I was talking to Will Brackett, our state president, and he told me, “Goals are just stepping stones to where you're going.” He’s right. Each goal we set is just another step toward something bigger.

I remember a time last fall when everything felt like too much. Between school, traveling for state office, and trying to keep up with personal commitments, I felt completely overwhelmed. One week in particular, I had a major speech to prepare, two tests to study for, and an event to attend across the state. I thought about canceling the event, convincing myself that it wasn’t worth the stress. That’s when my dad’s words came back to me: “Just say yes—worry about the rest later.” So, I took a deep breath and committed to doing it all. I made a schedule, set smaller goals for each day, and leaned on my support system—my friends, my teammates, and my family. I won’t say it was easy, but by the end of the week, I had given one of my best speeches yet, passed my tests, and still made it to the event. Looking back, if I had let stress stop me, I would have missed out on an incredible experience that helped me grow as a leader.

It’s easy to let goals slip when no one is checking in. That’s why it helps to surround yourself with people who will encourage you and remind you of what you’re working toward. Whether it’s a friend, a mentor, or a fellow FFA member, having someone to push you makes all the difference. For me, my amazing ag teachers have always been those people. They saw potential in me before I even saw it in myself, constantly encouraging me to compete, step up, and say yes to opportunities. But even with their support, I often told myself I was too busy, that school had to come first, or that I wasn’t ready. One piece of advice that stuck with me came from a former mentor who once told me, “You don’t have to be perfect to start—just start.” That simple statement changed how I viewed challenges. I used to think I needed to have everything figured out before stepping into an opportunity. But the truth is, growth happens in the process, not before it. Now, when I hesitate on a goal or an opportunity, I remind myself that taking the first step is the hardest part—and that progress, not perfection, is what truly matters.

There will be days when it feels impossible to keep going. That’s normal. Growth doesn’t come from comfort—it comes from pushing through the tough moments. When you feel stuck, remind yourself why you started. Revisit your goals, adjust if needed, and keep moving forward. As you step into the year ahead, what are three things you hope to accomplish? More importantly, how will you stay committed to becoming the best version of yourself? Let’s challenge ourselves to set meaningful goals, find strong support systems, and embrace the struggles that lead to success. This year, let’s not just set resolutions—let’s turn our goals into stepping stones toward something greater.