Anyone who knows me or has read my social posts knows that I like to plan. What I do not like are New Year resolutions. They always serve to make me feel like a failure. For the last several years I have used the turning of the calendar to flex my planning muscles in 3 ways.

Firstly, I select a word of the year. This word is somewhat of a mantra or a focus I would like to keep for the year. I use versions of it for computer passwords and post it prominently on my second planning tool. The word for 2020 is ONE.

Secondly, I prepare a vision board. As mentioned above I post my word of the year prominently on the vision board. The remainder of the space on the board is filled with words, phrases and pictures related to all aspects of my life, chosen to motivate me to move forward toward my desired vision.

Lastly, the vision board includes some specific goals for me for the year. These goals challenge me but unlike a New Year’s resolution they are long term and are as much about the journey as the result. There is no sense of failure if I miss the mark because within the year, I would have made some progress toward the goal with experiences and lessons along the way. Last year one of my goals was to try a new recipe every month. I tried new recipes in 8 of the 12 months – no shame in that. Some of my new recipes were repeated in those other 4 months (and in all honesty some will never be repeated).

Have a look at my 2020 board – still a bit of a work in progress! Any thoughts or suggestions? How do you plan for the new year? What is on your bucket list for 2020?