I’ve always disliked the idea of New Year’s resolutions. There’s this paralyzing sense for me that it is to be a sweeping change, and for lack of better words, something un-fun. Like “getting in shape” or “losing weight”. So, while I love the idea of self-improvement and am a self-proclaimed go-getter, I’ve never vibed with resolutions. Maybe you’re like me and setting resolutions doesn’t ignite a fire in your belly or inspire you to dream about the year. (I also feel like January is my least-energized time of year and goal setting and manifesting would be better suited for April or September.) Anyone else with me on this?
#smallbusinesslife
Instead of resolutions, I made plans and set milestones that felt less daunting and “you have to do this all year or you fail” kind of things. So what sort of structure did I follow? Here’s the thing… I’m actually excited about them!
01. Twenty for 2020
Gretchen Rubin, a best selling author, researcher, and podcast host is an expert on happiness, habit formation, and is the creator of The 4 Tendencies. She and her sister started 18 for 2018, and here we are continuing on in 2020. Essentially, these goals can be one time fun things, a year long aspiration, all of the above: from buying the perfect black purse to writing a manuscript.
A few of mine that are personal-life focused:
Read 50 books ; Plan an overnight or day trip to New York ; Welcome a cat to the family (working on my husband for this one) ; and do paddleboard yoga.
(I’ve also made a list for business)
What would you want to do?
02. Annual Business Dreaming
One of the best ways I planned for the New Year was participating in an online planning workshop in early December, hosted by Love & Spreadsheets.
We walked through the major areas of business: from your marketing plan, to your financial plan, your content plan to a project plan. I felt SO good, because it was manageable, and I headed into Christmas with already a full 2020 business plan. And here’s the thing. I didn’t just make stuff up. When I sat down to write, I realized my subconscious brain already knew pretty much exactly what I wanted to work on. As in, I put pencil to paper and ideas flowed. That was a revelation to me. I highly encourage putting it on your list for next year!
Yes, you read that right: wordS of the year. Word ideas kept coming to me, and I decided why just one? And I love it, because without the other wouldn’t tell the whole story of what I want this year to be. Each has a special meaning to me, as I head into my third year of business. In the past I’ve felt like this is kind of cheesy, but I’m coming around to it (clearly). There’s something powerful about having a touchstone; a grounding force to bring focus and clarity when ideas swirl or I get distracted. (like every day).
04. My 2020 Road Map
So I’m super excited about this one. Lowe’s has $6 large size whiteboards …..?!
I created a road map for the year, because I knew without it, all of the above ideas would get stuck in a drawer and I’d promptly forget about all these goals and ideas I wanted to bring to life. My board includes things I want to see everyday, like my goals, my quarterly focus, the words of the year, and potential ideas and projects. It hangs by my desk to remind me that I invested this time in myself and to stick with it.
I want to know, how are you planning and dreaming this January?
And who says resolutions are the only way?
