Crystal Lundberg has launched the Build Forward Pledge, a personal commitment designed to encourage people to take ownership of their growth through small, consistent actions instead of waiting for the perfect moment to make a change. Inspired by her own journey of overcoming childhood adversity, pursuing higher education, and building a career in business management and marketing, Lundberg hopes the pledge will remind people that meaningful progress often begins with simple daily habits.
"I define success as growth, resilience, and the ability to create a meaningful life despite adversity," Lundberg said. "Success is not only measured by accomplishments, financial stability, or career advancement, but by the person you become throughout the journey." The pledge reflects the philosophy that has guided Lundberg throughout her life. "Education became more than a goal for me," she said. "It became a way to transform my future." She also believes that lasting progress comes from persistence rather than perfection. "I believe consistency is more important than perfection," Lundberg said. Her own experience has reinforced another lesson she hopes others embrace. "Growth often happens during uncomfortable seasons, and perseverance is what creates transformation," she said.
Why this matters now: Lundberg says many people struggle with feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin. Current research highlights why personal growth and resilience remain important. According to Gallup, low employee engagement costs the global economy $8.9 trillion each year, equal to about 9% of global GDP. The American Psychological Association reports that 77% of adults say stress affects their physical health, while 73% say it affects their mental health. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently reports that workers with higher levels of education generally experience lower unemployment rates and higher median earnings. LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report continues to find that opportunities to learn and develop new skills rank among the leading factors employees value for career growth and retention.
Crystal Lundberg's Build Forward Pledge includes seven specific behaviors: spending at least 20 minutes each day learning something new; breaking every major goal into small weekly action steps; choosing consistency over perfection; encouraging at least one person each week; reflecting on progress every week; continuing to invest in education and professional development; and remembering that the past does not define the future while helping others believe the same.
The initiative also provides a do-it-yourself toolkit that anyone can begin without spending money. Steps include writing down one long-term goal, breaking it into five smaller action steps, creating a simple daily checklist, reading 10 pages of a book each day, learning one new skill online using free educational resources, organizing one area of the home or workspace, writing three accomplishments each evening, reaching out to someone who provided encouragement, and reviewing progress every Sunday. A 30-day progress tracker offers a structured approach with weekly milestones, such as completing one small action daily, organizing a system, encouraging someone else, reviewing habits, and setting a new goal for the next 30 days.
Lundberg believes personal growth becomes meaningful when it is shared. "My biggest motivation has always been the desire to create a life that is peaceful, successful, stable, and meaningful—not only for myself but for the people I care about," she said.
