Your January Planning Assistant: Jumpstart the New Year!
We say it every year… “This year is going to be different!”
No matter how many times we’ve said it, when January 1st rolls around, we say it again!
It’s time to stop saying it and start making it a reality. This January Planning Assistant post will help ensure you have your greatest year ever.
…Don’t worry if you’re reading this in the middle of the year. That doesn’t matter. You can work through this post at any point of the year and you will still ensure the next 365 days are some of your best,
So, are you ready to finally have a “different” year?
If yes, then let’s get started with the January planner printables.
January PLANNERS
In case you’ve missed it, I whipped up some January printables for you. From pretty monthly calendars to cheerful to-do lists, these printables are designed to bring joy and functionality to your planning routine.
Grab your free January printables here and get ready to make your month merry and bright.
I also created a couple of one-page dashboards so you can see the whole month at a glance.
You can put them in your planner, hang them on the fridge or wall, or both 😊. Grab them right here ↓↓↓
Seasonal DESIGN
Yearly Review
Now that you have your planner all set, the next step is to reflect on the past year. I created a few worksheets to help you with this next section. You can download them below if you’re interested.
What worked?
What didn’t work?
What are you most proud of?
What are your biggest regrets?
This type of reflection will help you plan the next year strategically.
Make sure you take this step very seriously. It will take some time to really think about the past year, but it will be worth it.
You will certainly learn some things about who you are and what you’re capable of. You might learn as much from your failures as you do your successes. Then you can double down on what worked and try to avoid what didn’t.
PREVIEW YOUR IDEAL YEAR
If you don’t have a general idea of what your ideal year looks like, how can you plan for it?
This next exercise is simple but powerful. Take some time to write down what you would like your next year to look like. Be as specific as possible.
What do you want to do, accomplish, or experience this year?
What things would make this year better than last year?
What would make it your greatest year ever?
PREPARE FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
Now that you have an idea of what your ideal year would look like, it’s time to prepare for it.
Using your ideal year notes as an inspiration, think about what you might need (or already have) to make the next year your best ever. Here are a few questions to think about:
Do you need to upgrade your skills?
Will you need any physical goods like money or tools?
Is there anyone you can lean on for support?
SET YOUR GOALS for the year
You can visualize and prepare all you want, but if you don’t set powerful goals then you likely won’t see much progress.
Simply writing your goals down will give you a leg up on the vast majority of the people out there.
For the purposes of this post and simplicity in general, focus on setting three main goals for the year ahead.
For each goal, ask yourself the following:
What is the goal?
What is the deadline for the goal?
Why do you want this?
Who are the people that can help you?
Then break your goal down into smaller steps that will be easier to accomplish and help you work toward your bigger goal.
Finally, plan a reward for when you DO reach your goal.
TAKE ACTION ON YOUR GOALS
You can have the world’s biggest book of goals, but it is entirely worthless if you don’t take action on them.
Take a few minutes and list 3 steps you can take right away (if not today, then tomorrow) that will propel you towards your goals.
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
There is certainly something to be said for going full speed and attacking your goals head-on. That said, you should always make time to check on your progress and adjust as needed.
Maybe you could be doing something more efficiently or maybe your needs have changed and you desire something else.
Regardless of the reason, checking in on your goals is an important step for having your best year ever.
Take some time for weekly and/or monthly check-ins and ask yourself these questions:
What’s working?
What isn’t working?
What adjustments are needed?
Goal Setting Workbook
These printables give you a dedicated space to work through your yearly review and help you get started with planning your goals for the year ahead.
Monthly Planning Routine
A good monthly planning routine is essential and it’s been great working with my Planner Pro Accelerator members and answering their questions on how I plan both my life and business in my planner.
Here’s a short recap of my planning routine:
Perform a monthly review to analyze how the previous month progressed. What did I accomplish? Did I achieve my goals?
Add the monthly holidays, and any important dates and events to my calendar.
Migrate any unfinished tasks from last month and review my goals. What goals do I want/need to work on this month?
Perform a brain dump to get my thoughts, plans, and ideas out of my head and onto paper. Then I make a detailed list of everything I need to get done this month.
If you aren’t in the practice of monthly planning yet, I understand that it might seem like there is a huge learning curve involved. However, as you work through the process more and more, you will find it becomes easier and easier. Eventually, you will gain the confidence necessary to keep going and it will become a natural part of your planning routine.
HOLIDAYS AND IMPORTANT DATES
One of the first things you need to do is mark any holidays and important dates on your calendar. This not only serves as a reminder but will also help in planning events and activities ahead of time.
January, being the start of the new year, is filled with various occasions worth acknowledging and celebrating. Whether it's the traditional New Year's Day, a loved one's birthday, or a national holiday, taking a few moments to jot them down ensures that you never miss out on any special moments.
Here are a few dates to remember:
January 1st - New Year’s Day
January 6th - The Epiphany
January 7th - Orthodox Christmas
January 15th - Martin Luther King Day
January 27th - International Holocaust Remembrance Day
…and some other fun holidays you can celebrate:
January 4th - National Trivia Day
January 6th - National Cuddle Up Day
January 9th - Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 19th - National Popcorn Day
January 29th - National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
Most importantly, don’t forget to add all of your appointments, family events, and school activities that you need to attend.
Check out these posts from the blog's archives. Let's make this month unforgettable!
New Year’s Eve Printables
Winter Posts
FREE January Planning Challenge
What's Inside the Challenge?
Daily Dose of Inspiration: Each day, unwrap a new planning task tailored to keep you on track during this bustling month.
From creating holiday shopping lists to scheduling cozy movie nights, these daily prompts are your secret sauce to an organized and joy-filled December.
SMART Goal-Setting: Elevate your planning game by incorporating SMART goal-setting into your routine.
Printable Goodies: To sweeten the deal, you will receive exclusive challenge printables designed to add a touch of festive flair to your planner.
How to Join?
It's as easy as a sip of hot cocoa! Simply enter your email below to receive your January Planning Challenge printables.
These goodies will land in your inbox, ready to be printed and tucked into your planner.
Spread the Planning Vibes
Don't keep all of the fun to yourself—invite your planner pals, friends, and family to join the challenge. Let's create a community of planners sharing tips, and accomplishments.
Share Your Journey
Throughout the challenge, share your progress, discoveries, and festive planner setups on social media using #KraftyPlannerChallenge. It's not just about checking off tasks; it's about celebrating the journey together.
Wrapping it up
Taking the time to reflect on the year that has passed can be an incredibly powerful and meaningful experience. By looking back on our successes, challenges, and the lessons we have learned, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our journey.
As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the new year with open arms, let us carry with us the wisdom and growth we have gained. With a renewed sense of purpose and the determination to make the most of each day, may we journey into the future with hope and excitement.
Here's to a joyous and prosperous 2024!
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!
Did you find this article helpful? I would love to hear your thoughts about it. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section.
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