A New Set of 365 Days to Get Things Done
It’s been months, dearest reader. How’s your year going?
I began 2022 without setting goals and having a plan of how I wanted my year to look.
My Reasons?
- The last 2 months of 2021 weren’t my best, so I was just living and doing nothing really. I wrote about it here.
- I wanted to know how it felt to move into a new year with no goal. “1” somehow influenced “2”.
How it went and ended
- I just let the first 2 months of 2022 pass without doing anything for myself. I was only doing things that were required of me. Like going to work, doing chores, meeting deadlines, etc. That was it.
- At the beginning of March 2022, I realised I wasn’t living the way I’d want to and wasn’t doing the things I loved. That’s when I started setting goals and planning (basically opening the Notes app on my phone and making a list of things I wanted to do and how I’ll do them — that was it).
I’m really glad I started planning in March because my goals and plans gave me a reason to keep going. And it was nice reflecting on and appreciating my progress and growth at the end of the year.
A New Year
2023 is different, and I’m truly happy that it is. I began setting goals ahead of time (mid-December 2022).
I knew I wanted to do it. And I’d want to do it in subsequent years, no matter how the previous years end.
Anyway, for 2023, I listed my goals in my Notes app (just like the previous year) and later organised them in Notion, an app I use for scheduling and organising tasks for work and my to-dos.
For now, I’m trying to put systems in place to achieve those goals because they won’t just happen without work.
What I’m moving with in 2023
In 2022, I said poco a poco (little by little) and I’ll get there.
For 2023, I’ll still take it poco a poco because I believe small progress is still progress. However, I’m doing that with a great deal of FOCUS.
Small progress is still progress
Whatever I’m doing, I just know I need to focus.
I chose FOCUS because this 5-lettered word kept ringing while I was reflecting on 2022 and setting goals for 2023.
The big question: How do I stay focused?
I really cannot tell in detail for now. But I know I have to minimise distractions, and constantly remind myself of the things I want to achieve at the end of the year. I’m currently considering setting reminders, using post-its, and maybe some visuals.
I’m still trying to figure out what’ll work best for me.
In the meantime, if you have any ideas on how to stay focused, kindly send them my way. Grazie!
Update
I mentioned in my 2022 end-of-year post that I’d like to start gratitude journaling in 2023.
I started on 1st January ’23 and I’ve been consistent. Hoping to continue till the year ends!
I’m using the Journal in Notion for this because I move in and out of that app all the time, so it just made sense to journal there.
A little reminder, dearest reader
We’ve got another set of 365 days to get things done, and though some things may be beyond our control, we can focus on the ones we can control and make the most out of them.
Focus more on what you can control
A friend told me this when I spoke to her about something bothering me.
Before I go…
I want you to consider setting goals and planning for the year if you haven’t yet. I believe it’ll keep you going and give you something to look forward to.
Begin by reading this newsletter about goal setting, and download the free 2023 Goals Template to help you document your goals and plans for the year.
I wish you a Joyous 2023!
🥂
This article was originally published on my blog on Thursday, 12th January 2023.
