A Quick, Fun Exercise to Jumpstart Your Year
As the year winds down, there's no better time to set your sights on what 2025 could bring. Goal setting doesn't need to be a drawn-out process - in fact, it can be a fun, engaging way to start mapping out your future. Inspired by Jim Rohn's book, 7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness, this quick, 12-minute exercise offers an opportunity, in his words to "envisioning the life you dreamed about but never thought would happen."
I did this exercise part way through the year and if you want to know what I am doing this Sunday afternoon, I am going to spend a half hour and do this again. I am looking forward to seeing how my goals have shifted given what I have learned and use this to support my plans for 2025. I find this so fun and gets me thinking creatively too.
I'm also revisiting this book at year's end to refresh on these concepts. Rohn describes goal-setting as a life-long process, something to come back to every year as we evolve. As he says, "the homework you are about to do here will last you a lifetime." The best part? It's designed to be quick, intuitive, and powerful.
Here's how to dive in:
Step 1: Get out a notebook.
Step 2: Write the heading "Long-Range Goals." Think about what you want in the next 1 to 10 years. This is your time to list ANYTHING that comes to your mind so don't overthink it or hold back.
Step 3: Set a timer for 12 minutes and write as fast as you can. Jot down anything that comes to mind about what you want to be, see, have, share, and experience. Don't stress over specifics - Going to Greece with friends, just put Greece. Short as possible descriptions.
Step 4: Review your list, and next to each item, add a timeframe: 1, 3, 5, or 10 years. Only use these 4 categories of timeframes.
Step 5: Now, pick four goals from each timeframe that mean the most to you - you will have 4 goals in 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and 10 years, a list of 16 goals total. For each one, write a short paragraph about what it would mean to achieve it and why you really want it. This is key - if you can't find a clear and compelling reason, it might be a passing desire. Swap it out for something with true meaning and impact.
Step 6: Keep these goals on a sheet of paper that you carry with you, review once per week to see if you are actively taking actions towards them. This is powerful.
Bonus Tips for Fun and Actionable Goals:
- Play with Variety and Make it Fun: Look at these goals not as daunting challenges, but as adventures for the year ahead. Keep this list where you can see it and celebrate as you check things off.
I highly recommend picking up 7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness. It's a quick read, but it's timeless, actionable, and a surprisingly fun approach to personal development. This simple exercise will help you step into 2025 with clarity, excitement, and a clear sense of purpose!
Nurturing Your Well-Being: Simple Practices for a Healthier Life
Here are some simple yet powerful practices to help you cultivate a healthy you. Especially important in this season!
Start with Mindful Movement:
Exercise is one of the best ways to boost your overall health, but it doesn't have to mean intense workouts at the gym. Mindful movement like yoga, walking, or stretching can reduce stress, improve flexibility, and boose your mood. The key is to listen to your body and move in ways that feel good to you.
Embrace a Balance Diet:
Nutrition plays a critical role in wellness, influencing both our physical and mental health. Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps to fuel our body and mind for the day ahead. Avoiding overly processed foods and sugary snacks can keep your energy stable and improve you mood.
Prioritize Sleep:
Sleep is a cornerstone of wellness, and yet so many of us sacrifice it in the name or productivity. However, adequate sleep (7-9 hours per night for most adults) is essential for mental clarity, emotional regulation, and physical recovery.
Practice Mindfullness and Meditation:
Mindfullness is about being present in the moment, without judgement. This practice can help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance emotional well-being. Meditation is one of the most effective tools for cultivating mindfulness. You don't have to sit for hours - even five to ten minutes of deep breathing can reset your mind.
Foster Connection with Others:
Social wellness is just as important as physical wellness. Building and maintaining meaningful relationships can provide emotional support, reduce feelings of isolation, and promote a sense of belonging. Make time to connect with friends, family, or your community, even if it's just a quick check-in.
Set Boundaries and Manage Stress:
Stress is inevitable, but how we manage it makes all the differece. Learning to set healthy boundaries, prioritize self-care, and say "no" when necessary can help reduce the burden of stress. Practice identifying your stress triggers and use techniques like deep breathing, journaling, or simply taking a break to reset.
Cultivate Gratitude:
A positive mindset can dramatically enhance your overall wellness. Practicing gratitude helps shift your focus from what's lacking to what's abundant in your life. Keep a gratitude journal here you write down a few things you're thankful for each day, and watch your mindset shift over time.
Engage in Activities That Bring Joy
Wellness is about living a fulfilling life. Whether it's pursuing hobbies, traveling, or spending time in natre, make sure to engage in activities that bring you joy and a sense of purpose. These experiences not only improve your mood but also boost your overall quality of life.
Wellness isn't a destination; it's a journey. By practiving small but meaninful habits each day, you can nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Start with one or two of these practices and build from there, remembering that even the smallest change can make a big impact.
Your wellness matters. Take the time to invest in yourself - you deserve it!
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Discovering Joy in Gardening: My Unexpected Journey
I didn't realize that I loved gardening until the last few years.
It makes sense now, I grew up with a garden and parents who enjoyed the yard, plants and we ate lots of great vegetables along the way.
Through my hustling in corporate life, I did like planting shrubs just so the house looked nice. My husband planted a small garden at our old house but it was his thing. I never realized I actually loved gardening, both flowers and vegetables - until I began exploring adding a bit more fun back into my life with my coach. Coaching has been a game-changer in my life, not only pushing me to make bold professional moves but also helping me lean into things that bring me joy. Now, gardening has become a creative outlet that has made me a better leader, wife, friend, and now business owner. I'll admit, gardening hasn't come without challenges (hello, pests munching on my plants!), but there's so much beauty and satisfaction in the process.
This weekend, I'm planting bulbs! Last year, I bought 500 bulbs and had some leftovers, which I experimented with planting them in pots for spring color. This year, we're not adding many bulbs to the landscape (thankfully, that was worth it but a big task!). We are focused on our new cutting garden which will happen mostly in the spring.
I did buy a few bags of bulbs to curate some new pots that I am doing this weekend. I'll store these potted bulbs in my garage over winter, watering them lightly every couple of weeks. By April and May, they'll add a burst of color to our deck before it's time for annuals. It's a simple way to bring early spring blossoms right to our door! If you have a cool spot with a little light (like a garage window), give it a try - it's easy and fun to do.
Here are pictures from last year's "leftover bulbs" pots. I'll share photos along the way on instagram of the pots for this year, so stay tuned!
My point in sharing this with you is to encourage you to make time for your creative interests. Explore interests outside of your career, you may find a new passion like I did with gardening. Whatever it is, make time for it. I am convinced it makes us better at our careers when we make time to step away and let our minds wander in creative outlets. Enjoy the journey!!
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