This year I want to take a slightly different approach to goal setting, which was inspired by Josh and Jill Stanton from Screw The 9-5 and of course, Marie Forleo. By different, it is actually more comprehensive and holistic. I spent time looking at the goal itself as well as why its important to me and who I need to be to achieve these goals. I also look at how I want to feeeeel this year- which is so often overlooked. So many times we set goals because we are hoping they will make us feel a certain way, without realizing- that those feelings are actually accessible to us RIGHT NOW.
I know there are a lot of mixed feelings out there about goals so you can take or leave any of this. Personally, I do think goals are helpful because they set a guiding direction of something to be working towards. Its like starting a road trip with a destination in mind, instead of just driving wherever the road takes me.
So with that in mind, I want to walk you through what I did to set my plan for the year.
Set a theme
First, I set a theme for the year. A theme is one word that basically sums up all the things I want to accomplish.
My theme for 2020 is integrity.
My favorite definitions of integrity are “the state of being whole” and “internal consistency”. Those definitions effectively capture what I hope to exude in 2020.
For me, integrity is all about my words and actions being in perfect alignment with each other. It is about, walking my talk and practicing what I preach.
It’s not about being perfect and having it all together, but rather being real about where I am struggling and what I haven’t quite figured out yet. Its also about making sure everything I say is 100% true and real.
Set goals
Then based on this theme I chose 3 main goals to work towards. For each goal, I defined both why its important to me and who I need to be to achieve it.
This year I decided to only set 3 goals because I want to concentrate my power by narrowing in my focus. I also think that these are linchpin goals- meaning that once I achieve these…. I set myself up for success in so many areas of my life.
One year alcohol free
This is even scary just to type. 365 whole days without alcohol. How is that even going to be possible??
Right now as I am writing this post I have gone 41 days without alcohol. Which, I think is the longest I’ve gone without anything to drink since my freshman year of college.
Going the entire year without alcohol seems essentially impossible. It means totally shifting my identity (away from the care-free party girl) and restructuring a large part of my social life.
Yet, I know it’s the next step in my personal growth journey.
Why it’s important to me
This goal is important to me because its an exercise in developing my commitment muscles. Every day I am strengthening my ability to sit with discomfort and to allow my urges to come without freaking out or resisting them.
It’s also another way of following my intuition which right now is imploring me to give up alcohol.
Who do I need to be to achieve this
Someone who is willing to experience discomfort.
Someone who is committed to following her intuition, even if it means going against the grain.
Someone who values and respects herself and practices supreme self care.
Consistent daily movement
This is the year I freaking FINALLY prioritize moving my body. It’s something I’ve wanted and needed to do for so long but haven’t yet been able to overcome my inertia to make movement an integral part of my life.
I am committing to 30 minutes of movement 6 days a week. I want to give myself one grace day a week. It doesn’t have to be anything too hectic, even just 30 minutes of walking a day would be perfect.
Why it’s important to me
This goal is important to me because I tend to get so caught up in my head that really stepping into my physical body will help me be more present in the moment.
Plus, all of the feelings I want to feel this year (vibrant, energized, joyful, inspired) come to me as a result of moving my body.
There are a bajillion reasons to start exercising but the bottom line for me is that it makes me feel ALIVE, and who doesn’t want some more of that in their day.
Who do I need to be to achieve this
Someone who does things even when “I don’t feel like it”.
Someone who is committed to feeling good.
Someone who prioritizes her physical well being.
Scale my coaching business to 6 figures
This is another big one. For a while, I hesitated to put 6 figures because it seems like SUCH a jump from where I’m at right now. Last year I made a whopping $2000 in my coaching biz.
But the thing is, there is NO reason I can’t uplevel my business to 6 figures in one year. The only thing that would hold me back is my own belief in what’s possible.
And this year I want to fully step into the belief that 6 figures is an inevitable reality for me.
Why its important to me
This goal is important to me because I am convinced that this is my dharma, the thing I am meant to do in this world.
I think I have a powerful story and message and that I can truly be of service to people. I want to use my coaching to help people shake off the “shoulds” of this world, step out of society’s box and design a life that they actually LOVE.
Now that I know what my purpose on this earth is, I’m basically obligated to fulfill it so that’s what I primarily want to dedicate myself to this year.
Who do I need to be to achieve this
Someone who stands in full integrity, walks her talk and lives in complete alignment with her business.
Someone who is NOT burnt out, who takes care of herself and prioritizes her own energy and well being.
Someone who is living a joyful, adventurous life
Someone who stays in tune with her intuition regularly for guidance. Writing to my intuition on a regular basis.
Someone dedicated to creating a genuine sisterhood for like minded solo travelers.
Someone who believes in the power of coaching and invests in her own coach.
How do I want to feel?
Finally I asked myself, how do I want to feel this year. I came up with so many delicious adjectives and ultimately narrowed it down to 6 core desired feelings for this year.
For each feeling I also created some key actions I could take to cultivate those feelings in ANY moment. I also double checked to make sure each of my goals are in alignment with those feelings.
Playful
Ask questions like “how can I make this fun?” “what is the most fun thing I can do right now”.
Have a high vibe dance party, wink at myself in the mirror, watch funny videos on you-tube, seek out more game nights, and laugh as much as possible.
Inspired
Go on walks/ hikes in silence, listen to my fav podcasters James Wedmore, Katherin Zenkina, Josh and Jill Stanton.
Spend time in nature, watch Ted Talks, slow down, cultivate white space in my day- time where nothing in particular is planned.
Vibrant
Dance and move my body, get 7-8 hours of sleep at night, take plenty of naps and rest often. Take at least one full day off a week.
Eat fresh food that nourishes me, drink lots of water, alcohol free, engage in powerful coaching conversations, explore new places.
Abundant
Read “You Are A Badass At Making Money”, develop money mindset mantras and repeat them regularly, appreciate when giving money to pay for food an necessities, start giving a percentage of revenue to charity.
Supported/Loved
Start my own weekly sister circle, reach out and ask for help, give support to others, connect to loved ones regularly, say I love you more often, assume the best in others, create a birthday calendar and remember all important birthdays!
Confident/ Trusting
Say the mantra “my success is inevitable”, listen to neuroprogramming audio every morning, start asking “why NOT me?”, write to my intuition for guidance.
One other important thing to note is don’t just set it and forget it. Have a way to refer to these goals, feelings and theme on a regular basis. Keep them in plain site and develop practices for reviewing them all at least monthly.
I wrote my list of core desired feelings and actions on one of the first pages in my planner. I also am going to create a background for my phone and laptop with my word “INTEGRITY” on it.
Plus I am creating a new monthly ritual to review all these goals while planning out my next month.
And that’s it! There is my blueprint for the year. How do you set your intentions and set yourself up for the best year possible? Comment below and share what works for you! There is not a right way to do this and I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to prepare for an epic year.
