Tim McGraw already has big goals for 2025, but they have nothing to do with his country music career. The 57-year-old has accomplished much in the past 30-plus years in country music, both personally and professionally, including selling out tours, setting new records, and maintaining hard-fought sobriety for more than 16 years.

Still, McGraw is more focused on his future than anything he has done in the past.

“There are way more things on my list that I need to get better at than there are things that I’ve gotten better at,” McGraw says. “We’re all a work in progress, and every day you’re trying to do something to make yourself a better person. Some days you fail at that and some days you don’t. It’s hard not to dwell on the things that you’ve done wrong, but if you dwell on those things you sort of get lost in the muck. And my philosophy, I don’t always accomplish it, but all you can do is try to do the next best thing. If you do something wrong, just try to do the next best thing.”

McGraw’s focus on his future isn’t something new for the superstar. The father of three, who just celebrated his 47th No. 1 hit with “One Bad Habit,” is always more focused on what is ahead than anything he has achieved in the past.

“I still want to win the equivalent of the Super Bowl with every single I’m putting out,” McGraw tells The Tennessean, adding that his drive for success in country music is similar to the drive of a professional athlete.

“I’m still a hard-working songwriter playing my guitar who loves iconic country songs,” he adds. “When I’m sitting at the mixing board with [producer Byron Gallimore], and we hear an undeniable song that we’ve developed, it fires up my competitive juices and the old athlete that I am wants to take the field.”

McGraw has done much more than most artists, in any genre. While others might rightfully boast about all they have done, the humble superstar refuses to dwell on what he has already achieved.

“I hear about it from my management, they tell me that this happened or that happened,” McGraw says on Country Countdown USA. “I’m like, what’s next? I’m always looking forward. I don’t look back. I figure when I’m sitting in my rocking chair, maybe I’ll reflect. But I’m not good at reflecting. I still feel like I got a lot more in me … I still feel pretty vibrant. I feel like I want to make music, keep working on my craft. If I ever get to the point where I think I’m good, I should hang it up.”

McGraw’s Poet’s Resumé EP was released in 2023. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at TimMcGraw.com.

Photo Credit: CMA/Hunter Berry