Are you looking for tips on how to set goals for 2024 so you can rest this holiday season?
I know the holiday season can be overwhelming with family gathering and seemingly never-ending to-do lists, but today’s podcast will break things down and make your goal setting for 2024 a whole lot easier.
Today, I’m diving into a solo episode to help you set yourself up for success in 2024. I may not have all the answers, but I do have some tips that will make waking up in 2024 a little easier. I’m sharing my insights and strategies to help guide you into an intentional future with a blend of self-reflection, goal setting, and personal growth to make the new year the most enjoyable yet.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How life is like a roll of toilet paper.
- Why reflecting on the past is crucial for setting the stage for future success.
- Why midlife is the most important time to set goals with intention.
- Effective midlife strategies on how to set goals and actually achieve them in the coming year.
- How embracing change is your hidden power for more personal growth
- Practical self-care strategies that will fuel your success in 2024 and beyond.
- And my 7 tips that will set you up for success in 2024.
Remember, you are right where you are supposed to be and this is your invitation to make 2024 a year filled with intentional living and meaningful growth so you can spread your wings and fly into the new year with more confidence, joy and a plan on how to get there!
With Warmth and Gratitude,
Laurie
Click here for my 2024 Goals Prep and Planner
Click here for my Core Values Exercise
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Sign up for my newsletter here to stay up to date on my upcoming offerings and podcast interviews!
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
00:07
Welcome to Confessions of a Freebird podcast. I'm your host, Laurie James, a mother, divorcee, a recovering caregiver, the author of Sandwiched A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go, a Therapy Junkie, Relationship Coach, Somatic Healer, and now podcaster. I'm a free spirit and here to lift you up. On this podcast, I'll share soulful confessions, and empowering conversations with influential experts. So you can learn to spread your wings and make the most of your second half. So pop in those earbuds turn up the volume. And let's get inspired because my mission is to help you create your most joyful, purpose driven life, one confession at a time.
00:57
Hey, there Freebirds. Before we jump into today's episode, I just wanted to make a couple announcements. One for all you local listeners, I do have a few spots left for my one day retreat here in Manhattan Beach, which is a day filled with a beach meditation, yummy lunch, plenty of fluids and snacks to keep you going, vision board making, goal setting, all kinds of great things to set you up for an awesome 2024. And also, I will be running my Date Differently in Midlife course in the beginning of 2024., so if that interests you shoot me a quick email. And let me know i'll also put the link in the show notes for my website. So you can check out more information about that it's a six week course. And it's a great opportunity for you to really get clear on what it is you want, as you begin to date in midlife or beyond.
02:08
So today, I'm going to talk about seven ways to set yourself up for success in 2024. And this could be personal or professional, or you can use it as a combination of both. But I know for me, and for many of my clients, as we get older, life seems to pass us by even quicker. Once, I was with a friend at Starbucks, and we were waiting for drinks, and she turned to me in conversation, and she said, my grandma's favorite line when she was alive was, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end of the rolls, the faster it goes." And if you know me, I love a good metaphor, and I had to laugh at that one because I had not heard that one before. And you know, it really hit home, because life is going by quicker. And that's why it's even more important to live our life with more intention, purpose, and thoughtfulness. So I'll drop a sheet in the show notes, if you'd like to use that. I'm going to use it myself just as a references. I'm setting myself up for 2024, and what I'd like to accomplish both personally and in my coaching practice.
03:54
But the first suggestion is check in with last year's goals or accomplishments. It's so important for us to pull those out if you have them, and if you don't, maybe you have an idea of your word that you created. If you had one word, I know a lot of people do that. I've done that before of what you wanted to bring more of into your life. But just take a moment or longer to look at what you did accomplish this year. What your goals were and what did you accomplish. And I am guessing that you will have accomplished more than you think you have. After you write these down, take a moment preferably more and celebrate that. We don't give ourselves enough credit for what we've accomplished. If you do have a list of goals you wanted to accomplish this year, check off the items and reevaluate the ones that you didn't get to. Do they deserve to get put on next year's list? Or are you okay letting those go? Be compassionate and understanding with yourself, or what didn't get accomplished. And really take note, the big major accomplishments. For me, mine was my podcast. And putting together a podcast is no easy feat. So I am going to definitely take a moment and toast to that, at some point in the coming weeks. Circle your biggest accomplishments over the past year, double check, to see, to confirm that they were in alignment with your values. And ask yourself, did your accomplishments nurture your soul? Or were you just checking a box, make note of not just your big goals, but also the small goals that did nurture your soul, which kept you going.
04:04
Number two, looking forward to 2024. Now write down what you'd like to accomplish in the coming year. Maybe it's to make more money, maybe it's to finding a life partner, maybe it's improving your existing relationships with your loved ones, or a partner, or getting into better shape, eating healthier, whatever it is, be willing to spend time not only daily, but weekly and monthly on this. Break your biggest goals down into quarters, then into each month, then a weekly, and write down what you're willing to do in each of these categories. And reference back to it regularly, so that way you can stay on task.
07:41
Number three, reflect on what you've learned about yourself this past year. Think about where you were a year ago, or two years ago? How did you feel about yourself then? How do you feel about yourself now? Do you feel entirely different on the inside? Why? Do you feel better? Do you feel like you've taken steps backwards? Take time to reflect on this growth. And see how all your small steps that you've taken have turned into big changes? How can you continue to honor the person you're becoming in the new year? Write those things down. This could be things like continuing a morning walk, meeting a friend for lunch weekly, date night with your partner,checking in with your kids more often, if they're out of the house.
08:56
Number four, write down all the compassionate things you have said or done for yourself this past year. Notice how acknowledging these things make you feel inside. Just take a moment and check in with yourself. What do you notice? What areas would you like to cultivate more compassion for yourself in the new year? Maybe you even create a New Year's mantra. Again, whether it's that one word, or a phrase, place it on your mirror, buy a bracelet with that one word. I am lovable, I am enough, I can do this, I love my body. Our minds tend to go to the negative So we have to work intentionally, to change our mindset to the positive. Take a moment and reflect on your favorite vacation you took this year, or maybe weekend getaway, or even just the simple moments you had this past year that brought you joy. What were those? How can you incorporate more of that in the new year? Write down the reasons why these experiences were your favorite. And maybe think about two or three ways that you can incorporate this vacation these moments or these getaways into the new year. My mantra is always, memories of our experiences lasts far longer than the gifts that we receive. I know one of my favorite trips this year that I waited a very long time to go on. That was on my bucket list for many years was my trip to Tahiti. On a sailboat with my partner, Jeff, it was truly an amazing trip that I will carry with me well into the future.
11:27
Six, think about how you've embraced change this past year. Write down the areas where you feel like you might be able to embrace a little bit more in the new year. Change is hard for us, but what I know is change is the only constant. We struggle with uncertainty, we want certainty in our lives. I know I would like certainty in my life, but we don't always have it, especially in our tumultuous world. So how can you lean into that uncertainty and trust the universe, trust God, that things are going to work out better. And if you don't, if you didn't get something you wanted this past year, think about it as this, or something better. I want this in the future or something better. Because when we are manifesting and we are creating what we want in our life, we don't ever have control over when it's going to happen. We can just put it out there into the universe, that that's what we want to happen.
12:53
And lastly, seven, what are the things that you like to do alone? And schedule those into your calendar regularly. I love being social, but I also love my time alone. There's nothing better for me than after a long day of curling up on my couch, putting on a Netflix movie and getting comfy and just relaxing. To me, that is self care. But what is self care for you? Some people need more social interaction. And I'm not talking about getting your hair done or your nails done. I'm talking about checking in with your soul and asking it, what does it need to be nurtured? And notice what comes up. Maybe that's meditating in the morning, or meeting with a girlfriend regularly or giving yourself permission to sit down and read a book.
14:11
So just to wrap up, the seven things that can help set you up for success in 2024 is check in with your last year's goals and accomplishments. Honor what you have accomplished and see what you'd like to take forward into the new year. Number two write down what you'd like to accomplish in the new year and really put together a plan to stick to that. This isn't a New Year's resolution, this is goals. And if you break it down, you can achieve them Three, reflect on what you've learned about yourself this past year, and honor that part of you. And ask yourself, what do you need in the new year to continue to grow? Number four, write down the compassionate things that you said or did for yourself this past year? And how do you want to carry that forward into the new year? Number five, reflect on that favorite vacation getaway moments that you had this year? Write them down? And how can you bring more of that into the new year. Number six, think about how you've embraced change this year. And how you can continue to embrace that in the coming year. And lastly, seven, what's your favorite thing to do alone and make sure that you schedule that time in. That's important self care.
16:07
I know this is difficult to do during the holidays. So maybe this is something you come back to in the new year, or after your guests and friends leave. But this is a great way to set yourself up for success in 2024. And remember, if you're interested in my one day retreat, let me know and also about my dating course, or if you just need some one on one coaching, I have some spots open in January. So I'd love to chat with you to see how I might be able to support you. And Happy Holidays everybody. I hope this helps you continue to spread your wings and become a Freebird. Take care and see you next time.
17:06
Thank you for listening to this episode of Confessions of a Freebird. I'm grateful to be in your ears and hearts. If you're interested in becoming a freebird, I'd love to support you. Please check out my website at laurieejames.com to learn how we can work together or to sign up for my newsletter. So you can receive tips on how to date and relationship differently and ultimately find more freedom and joy in your life. If you found this podcast helpful, please follow or subscribe rate and review and share it with friends so they can find more freedom in their second or third act also. Until next time.