To my older self

As we kick off the New Year, I'm skipping resolutions and trying something different that might be useful for you too. My coach challenged me to imagine my future self a year from now. What advice would I give her if I could talk to her today? And how will I know I've made progress on what matters to me now?

Thinking about this, I remembered advice on setting goals in four areas of life: personal, professional, financial, and legacy. That became the starting point for what I'm calling "The Year for Me." I don't want to be self-centered, but I want to fully embrace who I am and who I want to become.

Here are some questions I will ask my future self:

• Did you find peace and acceptance? Did you give yourself permission to make mistakes and set healthy boundaries?
• When traveling for work, did you do something in each place to grow as an independent woman?
• Did you commit to a healthier lifestyle, even if the scale didn't show the exact number you hoped for? Are you celebrating this achievement?
• Did you nurture the relationships that matter most to you?
• Were you successful in your work goals and laying a strong foundation for the future?
• Did you make progress in paying off debt and saving money?
• On a serious note, did you prepare funeral arrangements for both you and your husband to ease the burden on your only child?
• Last year, I published my first book. How are your writing plans going? Did you start outlining another book, and what's the plan for 2025?

My coach says these questions will guide me through the year. As priorities change, I know I need flexibility and grace. What I'm certain of now is that this list is more motivating than any resolutions I've made before.

If you have questions to ask your older self, feel free to share in the comments! Here's to living your best life in the New Year!