My 2023 Reflections & 2024 Goals

My 2023 Reflections & 2024 Goals

by | Jan 3, 2024 | Blog, Resources

In the closing weeks of 2023, I immersed myself in introspection, reflecting on the year I had just lived and all of the experiences that fueled my growth. I contemplated which pieces of 2023 I wished to carry forward into 2024 and what I needed to release or shift.

With these reflections as a backdrop, I dove into planning for 2024, crafting a vision of what I desired it to be. I created four different categories to anchor my goals: personal wellness, relationships, money & fun. I spent hours shaping and refining my goals, plans, and priorities for the approaching year.

What you’ll find below are my 2023 reflections, alongside my aspirations for the year to come. I know my journey is different from yours, and that’s a beautiful thing. But if I can provide one ounce of inspiration as you look forward to your upcoming year, then my work here is done.

PS: if you want to go through this process on your own, you can start with the clean template here.

 

2023 Reflections

(1-2 sentences)

1. What did you love about 2023?

I loved the freedom, fun and personal growth I experienced. A lot of core memories were made.

2. What made you feel good in 2023?

I felt a ton of love from my personal and professional community and felt well supported.

3. What did you struggle with in 2023?

I struggled to figure out who I was; what qualified as rebellion vs. who I truly was at my core.

4. Which decisions had positive impacts?

Spending time alone out of a relationship to get to know myself, spending time traveling and having experiences.

5. Which decisions steered me off course?

Spending time and energy on people who were judgmental, drained my energy or unapproving of my lifestyle and choices.

6.  What do I want to take with me from this year?

The prioritization of fun and what feels good.

7. What am I ready to let go of?

Any and all insecurities and judgments of myself.

 

2024 High Level

(1-2 sentences)

What do I want the next year of my life to look like?

The next year of my life will be filled with joy, physical and mental health, financial success, generosity and beautiful experiences with people I care deeply about.

2024 Goals

High-Level Guiding Word: Intention

High-Level Guiding Phrase:

The next year of my life will be filled with joy, physical and mental health, financial success, generosity and beautiful experiences with people I care deeply about.

 

Personal Wellness

Guiding Phrase

I will prioritize my mental and physical wellness to help me show up as my best self in other areas of my life.

3-5 Goals:

  1. Go to workout classes (cycle, yoga, barre) 3-5x/week.
  2. Build movement (stretching, walking) and/or getting outside into each day.
  3. Book 1 big wellness item/month (massage, facial, body wrap, sound bath, etc.)
  4. Go to one extended wellness retreat.
  5. Go to therapy/life coaching 2-3x/month.

 

Relationships

Guiding Phrase

I will prioritize showing up authentically with people who energize me.

3-5 Goals:

  1. Spend time with friends and family who make me feel loved and accepted.
  2. Pay attention to the people who drain my energy or make me feel judged and de-prioritize those relationships.
  3. Share more vulnerably with the people around me who provide a safe space.
  4. Express my feelings and opinions openly and without reservation.

 

Money

Guiding Phrase

I will build wealth and businesses that support my lifestyle and allow me to be generous to others.

3-5 Goals:

  1. Hit annual revenue goal from all income streams.
  2. Make one big investment (real estate or tech).
  3. Grow my personal and Harlow online community (grow to 50k+ followers, 10k+ newsletter subscribers).
  4. Partner with 8-10 consulting clients who align with my work values.
  5. Donate at least $10k to charities (cancer, supporting children/youth).

 

Fun

Guiding Phrase

I will spend ample time enjoying the things that feel good to me.

3-5 Goals:

  1. Take 10+ trips with people I care deeply about.
  2. Visit at least 5 new places.
  3. Live in accordance with *my* wants and needs.
  4. See at least 2 new artists in concert.
  5. Try one activity that I’ve never done before (skydiving, bungee jumping, new sport, etc.).

 

Accountability

Print this out and put in office.

Reflect back bi-weekly or monthly to assess progress.

 

My 2024 Reflection & Goal Planning Template

My 2024 Reflection & Goal Planning Template

by | Jan 3, 2024 | Blog, Featured, Resources

Embracing the transition from one year to the next fills me with a sense of joy and anticipation. For me, it offers a golden opportunity for introspection. While I recognize that time is ever-flowing and a mere calendar shift doesn’t encapsulate our essence, it serves as a valuable juncture to delve deep and reflect.

It gives us a moment to discern what brought us fulfillment, what left us wanting, and be really thoughtful about what we want in the next year of our lives.

This year, I spent a lot of time crafting a personalized reflection and goal-setting template, experimenting with various iterations until I discovered the process, outline, and structure that resonated most with my journey.

While sharing my process, a number of you expressed your desire to use the same document, so here I am extending an open invitation for you to use this same framework.

Follow the guidelines below, or tailor it to reflect your unique aspirations. Whatever you choose, I’m wishing you success in 2024, whatever that looks like for you.

Notes on how to use this document

  1. Start with reflections
  2. Let those guide you into what you want 2024 to look like at a high level
  3. Outline your 4-5 categories of goals (personal wellness, money, etc.)
  4. Write down your high-level guiding phrase(s) and word
  5. Fill in goals beneath each

*You may need one additional layer to further map out how you’re going to meet those goals.

Examples:

Guide words: abundance, intention, contentment, growth

Guiding phrases: I will build deep, meaningful relationships. I will be more aware of my spending habits in order to grow wealth. I will prioritize my own physical and mental well being above all else.

Follow along with me on social for more goal-setting, business, and wellness tips:

If you’re a google docs user, here’s the link so you can easily copy & start working.

And if you want to see my filled-out version of this doc, my vulnerable reflections and aspirations, they’re all finalized here.

2023 Reflections

(1-2 sentences)

  1. What did you love about 2023?
  2. What made you feel good in 2023?
  3. What did you struggle with in 2023?
  4. Which decisions had positive impacts?
  5. Which decisions steered me off course?
  6. What do I want to take with me from this year?
  7. What am I ready to let go of?

 

2024 High Level

(1-2 sentences)

What do I want the next year of my life to look like?

 

2024 Goals

High-Level Guide Word:

High-Level Guiding Phrase: 

 

Category Example 1: Personal Wellness

Guiding Phrase:

3-5 Goals:

1.

2.

3.

Category Example 2: Relationships

Guiding Phrase:

3-5 Goals:

1.

2.

3.

 

Category Example 3: Money

Guiding Phrase:

3-5 Goals:

1.

2.

3.

Category Example 4: Fun

Guiding Phrase:

3-5 Goals:

1.

2.

3.

 

Accountability

Fill this out, print it and put in your office.

Reflect back bi-weekly or monthly to assess progress.

 

Office Hours: Marketplaces 101: Navigating Online Job Platforms as a Freelancer

Office Hours: Marketplaces 101: Navigating Online Job Platforms as a Freelancer

by | Oct 24, 2023 | Blog, Resources

Jai Dolwani, founder of The Starters, joined us for an Office Hours session about navigating the confusing world of freelance marketplaces.

We dove deep into how freelancers can leverage marketplaces at different stages in their careers, how to position yourself on a marketplace, making your profile stand out, and more!

Catch up on the session here:

 

Stay in touch with Jai on Twitter and LinkedIn!

 

Office Hours: The Power of Continued Education

Office Hours: The Power of Continued Education

by | Oct 23, 2023 | Blog, Resources

Our pal and founder of Pollen, Hillary Bush, joined us for an Office Hours session about the importance of continued education.

We dove deep into why continued education matters, how you can dip your toes in, and what areas of growth we see freelancers who are serious about making a services business their long-term career focus on.

Catch up on the session here:

 

Stay in touch with Hillary on Twitter and LinkedIn!
And follow along with Pollen on Twitter and LinkedIn!