No better time to plan for 2025 than right now

"A goal without a plan is just a wish." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry?

When I decided to write this as my next article, I was so motivated and focused, but I didn’t allocate the time to work on it – that makes everything?harder. It also made me think of the above quote and abandoned resolutions. How many beautiful goals are laid out every day, week, month, and year, especially around the new year? ?

How many of those goals have a plan for execution of that goal? How many of the execution plans that are created include blockers, laying out what could stop you from achieving that goal and ways to face those blockers??

How many of us that devise annual goals revisit them throughout the year? This article is focused on reframing the new year’s list of stuff into an action plan to achieve a better 2025.?

How to Start??

Starting is the hardest part. It certainly is for me, and I think it is for most. I’m actually restarting this article right now. I just took a walk and had dinner after a day of presenting at a conference in Orlando. I was completely wiped. My energy was low, my creativity was lacking, and I was starving. Not a great way to work on anything.?

The walk and food?helped with my focus. It got me thinking more about Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's quote and the wishing goal. How many of us embrace the wishing goal because it is easy? How many of us say things like “next year I will lose weight...get a new job...make more money...be happier...be healthier...be better?” ?

If those are the goals that we want to aim for in the new year, that is great – I am not saying anything against that. What I am pointing out, though, is that nothing will be accomplished without the plan to get started and to continue on the journey to achieving the goal(s).?

Now is Better than Later?

It’s mid-October. The new year is two and a half months away. By starting now, we can create space each day to carve those vague goals into shape?– an hour, a minute, or ten each day – to expand on the goals that will define who we are in 2025. Think about that. This is an opportunity to shape our future selves. How much does that really matter? What amount of time is worth investing to be better? ?

Right now – this very moment – we have eleven weeks to think and plan. If we all?spend five minutes a day, seven days a week, that’s three hundred and eighty-five minutes, or roughly six and a half hours. Dig deep and think about this. How difficult is it to carve five minutes out of every day to think about who we want to be? Five minutes. Take time and really think about this. How much better will we?feel by creating this space versus letting wishes go unplanned and unfulfilled? ?

Get Started by Finding a Format for Accountability ?

If you’ve made the choice to dedicate at least five minutes a day, then what? Find a format that works to record the thing(s) that you want in 2025. Use a Word doc, OneNote, Google drive, PowerPoint, moleskin, lined copybook...whatever is going to work and will provide the space to create, iterate, and innovate along the journey to the better version of yourself that you can see, and will certainly see more clearly by tracking it.?

Find an accountability buddy (or buddies). This is someone to share your plan with. Think about this pairing in terms of what motivates you. Is this the right person to be your accountability lever that will listen to and challenge you in the right ways to help you stay on track?

Choose wisely. Or choose haphazardly and be ready to pull an audible as and when needed. You've got time to figure it out by starting now.

Moving from Wishes to Wins in 2025

It's time to turn those "wishing goals" into concrete achievements. Don't let another year slip by filled with unrealized aspirations. By dedicating just a few minutes each day between now and the new year, we can all craft a roadmap for success in 2025. This isn't just about setting goals; it's about actively shaping our future selves.

Start mapping out the steps today:

Next Steps:

1. Commit to 5 minutes a day: Schedule it in your calendar, set a reminder, do whatever it takes to prioritize this time for self-reflection and planning.
2. Choose an accountability tool: Select the format that resonates most with you and allows for easy tracking and adjustments along the way.
3. Break down goals: Take those big-picture aspirations and divide them into smaller, actionable steps.
4. Identify potential blockers: Think proactively about what challenges might arise and brainstorm strategies to overcome them.
5. Regularly review and revise: Don't just set it and forget it. Revisit your plan weekly or monthly to track progress, make adjustments, and celebrate milestones.

Remember, all it takes is one step to get started. Take that step today and pave the way for a fulfilling 2025. There's more to come on catalyzing action in 2024 to create success in 2025 - stay tuned.

Thank you for reading this far. If you did read this far, please consider recommending this newsletter to someone you think would appreciate it like you do.

Thanks again and have a wonderful rest of your week!

Gerry