Towards the end of 2021, I decided to stop living life on autopilot or quick preparation when needed. 2021 was not per say a bad year, it rather was a shaking year which I definitely learnt a lot from. I decided to plan more intentionally for the coming year, have a sketch board which I always went back to when I felt I was not moving in supposed direction. And 2022 came through for me in the most pleasing way.
This is not a written rule in some sort of Book or something. However, identifying your goals, mission, where you are headed, breaking each project into smaller task and writing them down can help you be more intentional and actionable about those goals you have set.
For someone whose birthday start on the first day of the year, I decided to seize the idea of '‘NEW YEAR, NEW START’’. I legit took it personal and made a sketch board for 2022 for the first time ever and at the end of 2022, I saw how easier I was able to achieve those things I put down and this is why I am plugging my checklist for anyone who might want to be intentional about their 2023.
Reflect On The Year Ending
Write about this year
If you noticed, I tried to write every month end, not because I just want to fill people up with my monthly journey but it was me documenting each month for the entire year. This does not have to be some Wole Soyinka piece of writing, pick up your notepad, note app, pen and paper and just write from January as you can remember. How was the beginning of the year? what happened during the going? did you find your Romeo or Juliet in February? what would you have done differently in May, June, July? Just write!
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Use years-end reflection prompts-
If just writing does not work for you, you can try answering these few questions within yourself.
what did you try for the first time in 2022?
what and who made you genuinely happy in 2022?
what is your best memory of the year?
what is your biggest challenge of the year?
what’s your proudest moment of this year?
How much did you step out of your comfort zone this year?
How much did you significantly take care of yourself?
who and what had a major impact on you this year?
how much have you grown this year?
Access the goals you set for yourself this year;
Did you have a well detailed goals or just imaginations of ideas in your head you wished to achieve? Take some time down memory lane and access the journey if you were able or not able to achieve those goals. Grab your wine glasses and let’s drink to those achieved goals, put the unachieved goals in a your recent draft, you will need them when setting goals for 2023.
TO 2023;
In less than 24hrs we are going to be screaming ‘happy new year’ and back to the hustle, let’s plan for it.
Write Down your goals for the new year;
Since I started doing this, it helped me stay accountable and consistent to each grind. I have a notice board just above my bed where i write goals according to each sector, starting from career, finance, spiritual life, personal development and lots more. Every month i go back to that notice board to check how I’m doing, what I should do, remind me where exactly I’m headed. Don’t forget to included those unachieved goals of 2022, as a matter of fact that should come top of the list in each sector.
Create a financial plan for the new year;
I tried so much to be financially responsible this year and i must say i did very well. Considering how our currency kept going down this year and i had to keep adjusting, i still found a way to be in plan with my ideal financial plan. what did i do differently?
I said NO to unplanned chilling a lot, I know my friends hated me so much for this but I’m sorry, I’m NOT sorry, I just had to.
I created more memories and magic in the kitchen than the usual restaurant hopping, this didn’t immediately make a difference but in the long run it did.
I used a strict budget savings platform for house rent, gadget, gifting, uber and miscellaneous.
I was extra intentional about my health, nutrition and general wellbeing. Therefore, absolutely avoided falling ill, thank God my body cooperated to this course.
Declutter and clean;
Declutter; You will agree with me that there are some clothes, shoes, bags in your wardrobe you did not touch this year. Take some time to go through your wardrobe and pick them out. Go through your make up, skincare and pantry stash and do same. You can either give them out or do away with them.
Deep clean and organize; This might be an old myth but it works 100% for me. Take some time tomorrow and thoroughly clean and organize your space. If you have that luxury of space in your apartment, you can try switching position of items to give your space a total new look for the new year.
That’s it, my template for the new year rest. I hope you find something useful. Just a reminder that my birthday is in two days, kindly say a prayer for me. Also, let me know what you will be doing to prepare for the new year in my IG comment.
Cheers to a fresh start, cheers to 2023!
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I love every bit of this newsletter.
Great insight to start the year and a very helpful post for goal setting.