Crystal Lundberg has launched the Build Forward Pledge, a personal commitment designed to encourage individuals to take ownership of their growth through small, consistent actions rather than waiting for the perfect moment to change. The pledge, announced July 14, 2026, in Chicago, reflects Lundberg's philosophy that meaningful progress often begins with simple daily habits.
Lundberg, who overcame childhood adversity to pursue higher education and build a career in business management and marketing, defined success as "growth, resilience, and the ability to create a meaningful life despite adversity." She emphasized that success is not only measured by accomplishments or financial stability but by the person one becomes throughout the journey.
The pledge is grounded in current research highlighting the importance of personal growth and resilience. According to Gallup, low employee engagement costs the global economy $8.9 trillion each year, 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. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently finds that workers with higher education levels experience lower unemployment rates and higher median earnings. LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report notes that opportunities to learn and develop new skills are among the leading factors employees value for career growth and retention.
Lundberg has committed to seven specific behaviors: spending at least 20 minutes daily learning something new; breaking major goals into weekly action steps; choosing consistency over perfection; encouraging at least one person each week; reflecting on progress weekly; investing in education and professional development; and remembering that the past does not define the future.
The pledge includes a Do It Yourself Toolkit with free steps such as writing down a long-term goal, breaking it into five action steps, creating a daily checklist, reading 10 pages each day, learning one new skill using free resources, organizing a space, writing three accomplishments each evening, thanking a mentor, encouraging someone, and reviewing progress weekly. A 30-Day Progress Tracker helps maintain accountability with weekly tasks.
Lundberg believes personal growth becomes meaningful when 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. The Build Forward Pledge is a free resource focused on resilience, lifelong learning, and steady progress, aiming to help individuals build consistent habits for lasting change.
