314. Don’t Wait for January: 5 easy ways to preload your goal setting
SHOW NOTES Episode 314: Don’t Wait for January: 5 easy ways to preload your goal setting Guest: Laura is solo this week THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: As we wrap up the year 2024, it’s crucial to carve out some time for goal planning, even amidst the holiday hustle. Our host, Laura Cox Kaplan, delves into practical tips and mindset shifts that can help you stride confidently into 2025. From prepping your productivity tools to selecting an overarching theme for the year, Laura shares tried-and-true strategies for ending the year on a high note and starting the new one with clarity and purpose. Laura reflects on the past year, shares her own experiences juggling various responsibilities, and offers guidance on setting yourself up for success in 2025. Perfect for listeners looking to reduce stress, gain focus, and find meaningful ways to celebrate their achievements, this episode touches on the essence of holiday preparation and New Year’s planning. KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: GATHER YOUR TOOLS: Laura highlights the importance of gathering all your go-to tools now to hit the ground running in the new year. CONSIDER AN OVERARCHING THEME: Learn how selecting a ‘word of the year’ can guide your decisions and actions, acting as a North Star throughout the year. Laura shares her own process for choosing this guiding word and the impact it has on setting goals. REVIEW THE PAST YEAR TO UNCOVER AREAS FOR GROWTH: Discover Laura’s method of reviewing the past year, celebrating wins, learning from challenges, and using these insights to inform future goals. CLEARING THE DECKS: Understand the significance of decluttering both physical and mental spaces to create a blank slate for new opportunities and clearer thinking. FOUND MOMENTS FOR PLANNING: Laura suggests utilizing small, often overlooked moments—like sitting in the car or enjoying morning coffee—for quiet reflection and preliminary goal-setting. There’s so much practical advice packed into this episode, and whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the podcast, you’ll find Laura’s tips and insights motivating as you think about the year ahead. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN EPISODE 314: Reflection Questions Laura recommends: What could I use more of in my life? (Joy, connection, creativity, peace, adventure, laughter, love?) Think about those areas of your life that feel a little lackluster, where you crave more fulfillment. What could I use less of in my life? (Stress, clutter, negativity, distractions, self-doubt, comparison, overwhelm?) Identify the things holding you back, draining your energy, and preventing you from living your best life. What characteristics would I like to cultivate? (Patience, resilience, confidence, generosity, courage, kindness, authenticity?) What qualities do you admire in others? What traits would you like to embody more fully in your own life? How do I want to feel by the end of each day? (Fulfilled, content, energized, grateful, peaceful, joyful, inspired?) Imagine yourself at the end of a perfect day. What emotions are you experiencing? What kind of energy are you radiating for yourself and others? Laura’s favorite tools: Uniball Vision Elite Micropoint Pens Red n’ Black 8×10 spiral notebook IS SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST ON YOUR GIFT LIST THIS YEAR? Hi friend, I know it’s not nice to ask for gifts, but I do have an important request. Please consider sharing some love in the form of a review of She Said/She Said Podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to this podcast. Those reviews help me improve the content so that you get more of what y...