Sooo, we’re three months away from 2019! Crazy, right? I was recently talking to some of my colleagues about how long we thought January lasted, and how now we’re about to embark on another January. I remember creating my 2018 vision board, goals and plans document like it was yesterday. Even though I’m always excited for a new year, it can feel a little overwhelming getting down to the home stretch when thinking about all of the things I still need to get accomplished.
The good news is that you don’t have to be overwhelmed. I learned early – and still learning – that procrastination will rob you of everything you have going. We can all eliminate and avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety if we properly plan ahead. It might sound insane to start planning for 2019 right now, but trust, you’ll feel so much better knowing that you have an idea of what you want to work towards. Here are four things to think on for the remaining of 2018 and going into 2019:
1. Review financial goals: Review your budgets from this year. How much did you spend on going out, personal maintenance, groceries, etc.? Having a clear understanding of where you are currently financially will help set a path for 2019. It’s important to have a grasp on your financial goals, and it’s never too early to start planning ahead. I know for me personally, 2019 is my last year in the 20s, and I for sure want to enter the 30s decade financially secure and stable.
2. Review travel goals: I love to travel, but it can be hard when you don’t have a plan for where you want to go, whom you want to go with, etc. If you wait around, you’ll have everyone asking you at the last minute to go here and there, which will cause nothing but headache. Write out your top 5 places you’d like to visit in 2019, mark the months you’d like to visit and start planning now. And don’t think you have to go out of the country to have a great time. Start small if you have to; it’s okay! There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in the U.S.
3. Review career goals: People who truly want to be successful always think about their careers and how they can advance and grow long-term. Start planning out how you can advance your skill sets in 2019. Do you need to join a professional board, enroll in a public speaking class or prepare for a certain certification? Write out where you see yourself in your current industry. Do you want to remain at a 9-5 or start your own business? It’s all up to you on taking those steps to get where you want to be.
4. Reflect on what you’ve accomplished: As mentioned earlier, it can be overwhelming thinking about what still needs to be done. But take the time to give yourself credit for all of the wonderful things you have accomplished. Don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t meet all of your 2018 goals and plans thus far. One of my mentors always tell me, “In the midst of planning, life happens.” Everything and I mean everything will happen in its allotted time and place. If you plan ahead, don’t procrastinate and have a grateful heart, you’ll always win. And to top it off, you still have three whole months left to wrap up some things.
This week take one or two hours to start writing out your goals for 2019 – not a vision board, but a planning document. What do you want to accomplish, where do you see yourself, what do you want to change and where do you need to clean house? Get excited to finish the year strong and look forward to an amazing 2019. I’m rooting for you!
Sending love and positive vibes your way! Yvonne Camille
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