3 Steps to Planning Your Year

As we flip to our calendar “2023” while Whole 30’ing from the holidays, we’re reflecting on what’s possible. Asking ourselves if we have more capacity to grow, learn and serve. We answered, Yes.

Life’s not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it’s about doing, being and becoming.” - Mike Dooley, Author of “Infinite Possibilities”

Where do we start?

Step 1: Setting Intentions

Setting your intentions at the beginning of the year is like making a map. Without them, how will you know where you’re going? Or, more importantly, how will you know when you get there? It’s hard to find the “X” that marks the spot if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

These intentions will help you stay on track whenever you’re feeling lost.

TIP: Grab your favorite pen and a pad of paper. Set a timer for 20 minutes. Push “start”. Write the first word that pops into your mind and just let it flow. Consider these writing prompts:

If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you dream for?

If you didn’t care what other people thought, what would you create?

What does your future self want to say to you now?

Step 2: Creating SMART Goals

Do you have your intentions in mind? Great! Now, let’s dig a little deeper.

We want to turn these intentions into SMART goals. This is an acronym meaning goals that are:

• Specific: simple, sensible, significant

  • What do I want to accomplish?

  • Why is this goal important?

  • Who is involved?

  • Where is it located?

  • Which resources or limits are involved?

• Measurable: meaningful, motivating

  • How much?

  • How many?

  • How will I know when it is accomplished?

• Achievable: agreed, attainable

  • How can I accomplish this goal?

  • How realistic is the goal, based on other constraints, such as financial factors?

• Realistic: reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based

  • Does this seem worthwhile?

  • Is this the right time?

  • Does this match our other efforts/needs?

  • Am I the right person to reach this goal?

  • Is it applicable in the current socio-economic environment?

• Timely: time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive

  • When?

  • What can I do six months from now?

  • What can I do six weeks from now?

  • What can I do today?

Goals that are specific and measurable help you narrow your intentions and track your progress (that way you know whether you’ve reached your milestones or not.) Make sure you can reach these objectives within the year.

Now your 2023 is REALLY starting to take shape!

Step 3: Choosing Your “Word” for the Year

While we believe in the power of setting future goals, that may not be for everybody. Instead, consider a word for the year.

Think about your intentions for the year and narrow them down to a single word or phrase. No need for something fancy. How about—inspire? Or maybe reset? Choose something that you would consider meaningful for your year to come. The book One Word That Will Change Your Life by Jimmy Page & Dan Britton covers this idea in detail, so consider giving it a read as you establish your word for the year!

Have we turned you into a goal-getter yet?

Don’t forget that setting real estate goals is an important part of planning your year. If your real estate goals for 2023 involve buying, selling, or investing in a home, please text or call us at (443)955-0540 or send an email to megan@richardsonlagrant.com.

Here’s to New Beginnings …

Megan & Wendy