As we approach the end of another year, it's time to set our sights on what we want to achieve in 2024. Some folks dive into this season with the enthusiasm of a planner fanatic, armed with color-coded tabs and detailed timelines. Others take a more laid-back approach, scribbling their aspirations on the back of a napkin found at the bottom of their purse. Most of us fall somewhere in between.
Personally, I prefer a workflow that strikes a balance between structure and flexibility. I like to visualize my entire year's goals and then break them down into 90-day sprints. That's why I've created a free yearly planner that organizes your goals into quarterly and monthly buckets.
Download our free yearly planner printout and follow along.
Visualize Annually
Start by grabbing your favorite drink, a pen or pencil, and a notebook. Sit down and let your imagination run wild about what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. Think big, but stay realistic. For instance, if owning a house is your dream but your savings are modest, set a goal to save a specific amount for that house instead.
Draw 2-4 boxes on a blank notebook page to represent different types of goals.
Start with work and personal goals, and break them down further if needed (e.g., work, home, self, family). For example, "home" could signify a house remodel, and "family" might include travel plans or starting counseling for any challenging family dynamics.
Write down all your big ideas for the year, without worrying about when to achieve them. Focus on the feasibility of accomplishing them within the 12-month timeframe.
Plan Quarterly
While businesses use "quarters" for financial metrics, it's a handy way for individuals too. These 3-month segments provide a manageable structure to avoid overwhelming year-long planning. Whether you're an entrepreneur or not, quarters offer excellent milestones to track your progress throughout the year. Three months provide enough time to make substantial progress without losing sight of the big picture.
Consider aligning your goals with seasons where it makes sense. Some objectives are best suited for specific times of the year, so think strategically about when to pursue them.
When you're ready, use the yearly planner download to develop your quarterly plan in the provided sections.
Monthly Milestones
Now, we've got three months in the quarter, and we've established when we aim to accomplish our goals. It's time to refine those objectives, getting more specific and motivated as we transition into the monthly milestones. We're shifting from mere hopes to concrete action. Break down your goals into milestones, like progress checkpoints. Don't worry about specific tasks for now; we'll save that for weekly and daily action plans. For instance, if you're launching a new product, your milestones might include market research, creating a product prototype, and securing funding. Each milestone can later be broken down into specific tasks.
Use the monthly boxes provided to add your monthly milestones based on quarterly objectives.
Review Weekly
Battling the "Sunday Scaries"? Spend your Sundays reviewing your quarterly objectives and monthly milestones. Get more specific with your weekly tasks. This is where the magic happens! Regular goal review keeps you motivated and ensures you enjoy a sense of accomplishment.
Take Action Daily
Commit to completing at least one task a day toward your goal. It could be a significant task, brainstorming, research, or skill-building activities like listening to an audiobook or podcast. At the end of the day, journal about that one thing you accomplished. Journaling is a powerful motivational tool. It keeps you on track and allows you to visualize your progress, which is essential during moments of doubt.
Find a blank notebook page and document the one thing you did today to work toward your goal!
Conclusion
Planning your way to success isn't as daunting as it may seem. Visualize your goals, break them down into quarterly objectives and monthly milestones, review them regularly, and take daily action. You're well on your way to a successful year! At Friday Afternoons Co., we believe in celebrating both small and significant wins. Be sure to schedule periods of rest and rewards as you achieve your milestones and work towards your goals.