Get that New Year’s Day Feeling Whenever You Want It!
If you are the type of person who sets big-ass goals in January and then finds yourself puttering out in February or April, this is for you, frand!
In a world where time, and specifically motivation, feels like a scarce resource, and fresh starts feel like they are only reserved for January, it is important that you have an effective approach to how you actively plan progress throughout your year where you feel empowered.
I use a program based on the book The 12-Week Year (written by 2 dudes, click the link to buy the book), but I tailor it to women because we all know women, and specifically moms, have different needs. The approach has helped me increase my income, add more hobbies to my life, improve my health and make sure we eat dinner at a table in our home once a week.
I go into more detail in this in my podcast and in my coaching program (see below for info). but here’s the skinny on the approach:
Your year is 12 weeks. You can start that year today or tomorrow, but your January 1 is when you say it is and then it is go time.
You look at what is happening in this current season and determine where you want growth.
You pick 1 personal goal and 1 professional goal for that 12 week period because you need balance.
You select key actions (4-6) that you commit to in that 12 week period in support of your 2 goals.
The actions need to be realistic for the 12-week period. So please don’t sign yourself up for running a marathon at the end of 12 weeks if you have not walked more than one mile this year. Perhaps you start with a 5k and crush that. You need to create momentum and not mayhem.
You focus on completion of these actions every week- you don’t need perfection, you need consistency. So if you have a week where you miss 50% of the actions, cool- next week your goal is to be 55% complete and keep going.
You plan these key actions like you plan a meeting with your boss (assuming you actually show up to meetings with your boss).
You evaluate your progress every week and determine what actions are helping you and/or what needs more of your attention.
If you need to change an action you only change the action if you know it is not working and because you have tried it consistently for 6 weeks and you have a better idea of what could generate results.
At the end of the 12 weeks you get a holiday where you renew, treat yo self and select the next goal, or the next series of growth-driven activities in the area you need to move forward.
Rinse, repeat, get results, buy yourself presents.
Forever and ever. Amen. I am rooting for you frand. Happy New Year!
