Why I Hiked in the Dark?

Last Wednesday was Lunar New Year, and I did something unusual—I hiked in the dark to see the first sunrise of the year.

I’ve never been one to celebrate New Year’s traditions. I don’t stay up until midnight, and I don’t put much weight on an arbitrary calendar date. 2024 and 2025 are just numbers for convenience. So why did I do it?

Because last year, I learned an important lesson: Don’t wish for good luck—make it happen.

Looking back, I realized that while I always worked hard and tried different things, I never fully embodied the mindset of I will make this happen. I was moving forward, but not always with the conviction that I was in control of my future.

This year, I’m shifting that. No more “let me try and see what happens”—I’m owning the outcome. It may seem like a small difference, but my mindset feels completely different. To mark this commitment, I decided to hike and watch the first sunrise of the year.

What’s your mindset for the new year? Are you taking the wheel—or just hoping for a smooth ride?

P.S. The sunrise was completely hidden behind clouds. So technically… I hiked in the dark, in the cold, for nothing. But hey, commitment is commitment, right? 😂

Ready to take control of your career and life? Here’s how I help people turn their aspirations into reality.