How to Plan for 2021 in 5 Simple Tips
The end of the year has finally come to an end. This year we’ve found ourselves being challenged beyond compare. As much as this year has been hard for everyone, it’s also been a major wake up call for many of us. Now’s the perfect time to reflect back on those challenges and ensure you set yourself up for success for the new year ahead with these 5 simple tips.
Time the Time to Journal and Reflect
There's nothing like sitting down in silence and tuning in with yourself to look for answers you may have overlooked because you were caught up with being “too busy” throughout the year. Now that the last rush of the year has passed, now’s the perfect time to wind down and reflect. Take out a piece of paper and jot down the answers to the following questions:
- What are you most proud of achieving in 2020?
- What was an area in which you experienced the most growth this year? How did you grow from it?
- What was an area in which you felt the most challenged? Why did you feel challenged by it?
Reflecting on everything you’ve managed to get through, analyzing your actions and all the things you’ve done right or wrong to gain the results you did today will ensure you’ll be able to replicate your success (and do it better!) for the following year.
Let Go of What No Longer Serves You
In order to move forward with a fresh new start, the best thing to do is to let go of the baggage holding you down.
Ask yourself these two simple questions:
- Is there anything you need to let go of, release, or forgive from 2020?
- If so, what is it, and how can you let go of it today?
Figure out what no longer serves you and let it go so you can start with a new slate for the year ahead without having anything weighing you down nor holding you back. Getting clear here will help you create an even more aligned 2021.
Set Clear Goals and Make Them Actionable
We all know of the importance in setting goals but how you set them is what will ensure real success in your endeavors. In case you’ve never heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals, this is what it is in short:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Essentially, it is a popular goal-setting system that will help you get clear on your goals. The way you set your goals needs to have these 5 important factors. To read more about this goal-setting method, make sure to check out this article. When possible, include target sales numbers, number of clients you plan to work with and any other specific details.
Lay Down the Plan
After setting your S.M.A.R.T. goals, lay down the plan and break down each goal into smaller, actionable steps by quarter, month and week. Make sure to include your vacations and any other breaks you plan to take throughout the year within your timeline to make your goals even more realistic.
As much as it’s easy to neglect the numbers, it’s something that can’t be avoided. Part of a good plan is laying down the numbers and adjusting any of your prices if need be. Calculate how many sales you need to make each week, month and quarter in order to reach your desired net income.
And finally to ensure you absolutely stay on track, add them to your preferred project management tool! Asana, ClickUp, Notion and Trello are just a few of the many popular project management tools available out there. Most of which are completely free for you to use!
Understanding what needs to be done ahead of time, doing the inner work, reflecting and letting go of the things that no longer serve you will ensure you take on the new year with even more confidence than ever before. Minima Basics wishes you happy holidays and cheers to the new year.
Happy planning!