Imagine the possibilities, then plan to make them happen.
Whether you are a resolute resolution maker, a pensive planner or an ambitious task master, most people treat the beginning of the new year as an opportunity to plan for big things. If you are in the midst of your big planning and need some direction, here are several resources and approaches I found to be very helpful:
> Best of Both Worlds – Designing You 2019: In this podcast episode, hosts Laura Vanderkam and Sarah Hart Unger and reflect on their goals for 2018 and look forward to the new year. What I like about their approach in goal setting is that they break the year into quarters (or quintiles in Sarah’s case) and make goals for the different categories of their lives. This pragmatic and balanced approach is appealing because it provides the path to success and gives a great sense of what your year will look like. Listen here.
> #AmWriting – 2019 Goals: Writers and podcasters, Jess Lahey and K.J. dell Antonia look at their goal setting and planning through the lens of their writing projects. Less quantitative and more qualitative, Jess and KJ blur the lines of personal and professional and treat their goals as the benchmark for which they can answer the questions, “Is this work that I am doing helping me to get to my goal this year?” Tune in here.
> Three Goal Setting Secrets (Most People Don’t Know): This upbeat blog post from author and coach Kate Hanley is an approachable and inspiring “how-to” make your goals become a reality. It’s not too detailed and doesn’t involve lots of tools, calendars and planners. It really is more about the action you take and your mindset. Learn the secrets here.
> One Word – Figuring out my one word for the year, has been an exercise that I have been doing for the past three years. The premise is that you take a very serious look at where you life is now and where you want it to go. And with reflection and discernment, your one word will come to you that should help to inspire and guide you for the year. [My word for 2019 is IMAGINE!] Learn more about “getoneword” here.
I have loosely created my own hybrid of planning using the best of all three of these this year.
One thing I did do differently this year was to go back and thoughtfully reflect on the past year. As opposed to focusing on all the things that didn’t happen, I earnestly focused on what did happen, why it happened and bring success into this year’s planning from the start. It was a valuable exercise in getting my head in the right space and my heart feeling gracious for all that is going well.
So onward we go! Whatever your approach to resolutions, goal setting and planning is, know that there is no right way. What is important, however, is that you’re do something – to guide your year to help you create the life you want to be living. It’s time to finish your book, redesign your website, start your podcast, get those lucrative speaking gigs, and let more of the world hear your message!
It’s not too late, we’ve still got 11+ months of 2019 to make things happen, so let’s get started now.
What’s your approach to planning your year? Don’t have one or are you getting stuck? I’d love to hear more about it and see how I can help. Leave a comment, shoot me an email or give me a call.