How I’m approaching the New Year
Starting a new year is always so exciting. Although, for me, it’s my least favorite holiday. Something about the endings, new beginnings, nostalgia that makes me overly emotional. After a transformative year becoming a mom of two and welcoming my son, I really wanted to get serious about what I was trying to achieve this year. So often I make an exhaustive list of goals and don’t follow through. This year, I’ve decided, is going to be different. So, I got serious about the planning part. Here’s a look at my new year planning and what it’s consisted of:
- Yearly audit
- Vision board
- Getting the right planner
- Quarterly planning
- Doing the work
Yearly Audit
I find the yearly audit to be fairly simple. During the Christmas holiday, I start to make note of the year and how it went. I mentally make note of what worked, what didn’t and what needs to different. This part doesn’t really involve a pen and paper, but rather, an honest conversation with one’s self.
Vision Board
This is probably the funnest part! Gather up all those old magazines, newspaper clippings and Pinterest inspo photos and start to envision those goals and how they look and feel. This is the time to dream big! Section off areas of your life: career, health, personal, etc. and add images on a poster board and visualize these dreams and wishes coming true. This year, I had my three-year-old daughter make one too.
Planner
As a former reporter, I’m all about the old-school notepad and paper. I’ve gotta write things down to keep track of things. So when it comes to a planner, I need one that works. I’ve been using the Make Moves planner for three years now. I swear by it. It includes a daily, weekly and monthly look at the year and even includes the sweat and water intake to help you keep track.
Quarterly Planning
This is a new one for me! I saw a few Tik Toks talking about the importance of quarterly planning and how to approach that in your personal life and it really resonated with me. If you work in the corporate world, you’re probably no stranger to the concept of quarterly goals and planning. So why not approach personal life the same way? So, right before the end of the year, my husband and I sat down to talk about all things we’d like to accomplish this quarter. It’s been great to see everything laid out in this way and so far, so good!
Doing the work
Finally, when it comes to the new year, it all comes down to just doing it. I’m hoping with a combination of all of these efforts, I can do the things I’m hoping to achieve. No overthinking, just action. Wish me luck!
