As the end of the year approaches, I often hear this question from my community:
“How do I set goals that I will actually achieve?”
It’s a question that speaks to the heart of effective planning—wanting not only to dream big but to create a plan you’ll follow through on. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about how to set goals that truly work, I want to break down some common reasons you aren’t achieving your goals and walk you through the goal setting method I teach and avoids these common pitfalls.
Let’s start with a thought-provoking question: What if the reason you haven’t achieved certain goals before wasn’t due to a lack of motivation or discipline but simply because your goal-setting process wasn’t designed to truly work for you? Many people struggle to reach their goals because they unknowingly fall into common pitfalls:
Setting Arbitrary Goals: Many goal-setting methods encourage us to set goals in predefined categories, like health, career, or finances. While these areas are generally important, focusing on arbitrary categories often leads us to set goals based on what we think we “should” do rather than on what truly matters. When a goal isn’t personally meaningful, it’s difficult to stay committed. My process focuses instead on defining your true priorities, which are unique to you, and using those as the categories to set your goals against.
Mistaking Habits for Goals: It’s common to set habits, like “drink more water” or “work out daily,” as primary goals, but these habits are actually objectives or action steps to take that support a larger goal. For example, if your overarching goal is improved health, drinking more water is a strategy to support that. Reading a specific number of books a year isn’t a goal itself, rather it’s a reflection of the type of person you want to be who may be more informed or considered well read- which is the actual goal you desire. Identifying and linking these habits to a big-picture goal makes it easier to stay motivated and see meaningful progress because you have correctly identified the reason why the habit itself is crucial to your success and self-image.
Relying on Goals to Create Change: Many believe achieving a goal will magically create a sense of accomplishment or transform them into a better version of themselves. The version of themselves who eats right, works out, is great with money etc. In reality, change begins internally and must happen before you achieve the goal. Start by embodying the person you want to become, taking the actions that person would take and then your goals will happen as a natural result of the changes you’ve made.
If you resonate with any of these common mistakes or have used a goal setting method in the past that encouraged these errors to begin with, I am here to tell you that with the right goal setting system you can achieve your goals. Today I want to give you a brief overview of my method and process which has helped hundreds of women set goals they actually end up achieving.
Women like Rose who started using my method years ago and after the first month reported back to me “so far January has been my best month ever regarding productivity, focus, and goal achievement.”
She has been loyal to my method ever since and even purchased the workshops to share with her team because she swears by my method for goal setting and planning!
And Peyton who messaged our accountability group: “I’ve been truly struggling with identifying priorities and narrowing down my goals. I watched the master class and it was game changing for me. Something finally clicked and I was able to identify my true goals and priorities based off my current life situation and I am so proud of this! I think Alexis is a true subject matter expert and I’m so glad I decided to join the master mind!”
Or Karmon who ended up achieving all her goals much earlier than expected one year due to my method and had this to say: “I think this is the 4th of 5th year I’ve goal planned the year with Alexis. The process evolves and refines each year. The break out sessions with the other attendees was a great addition – the additional perspectives and glimpses into others’ goals were inspiring. Definitely the kick start I needed to work on my annual plans. Thanks, Alexis.”
I’m sure you are thinking now, Alexis, what is this unique goal setting process?!
Here’s the step by step process I have used for the last 10 years to set goals that I can achieve and get so much more done than most solo business owners.
Step 1: Choose 1-5 Priorities for the Year The first step in any goal-setting journey is identifying what matters most to you. Think about the core aspects of your life that bring you joy, fulfillment, and purpose—these are your priorities. It could be family, your home, career, or a passion project. By narrowing your focus to 1-5 key priorities, you create a strong foundation for meaningful and impactful goal-setting.
Step 2: Set 1-3 Goals per Priority For each priority, establish up to three specific goals. Each goal should represent an outcome that either raises, changes, or maintains a standard in your life. Make sure these goals are clear and measurable so that you can track your progress. This clarity not only gives you direction but also ensures that every goal aligns with your most valued priorities.
Step 3: Define Objectives for Each Goal With goals in place, now it’s time to create objectives—these are the specific actions that will lead you to your desired outcomes. Think of objectives as your action steps. They should be chosen based on your strengths and interests, so the journey feels engaging and rewarding. And remember, your path can be unique to you; it doesn’t have to follow a conventional approach if there’s a better way that suits you.
Step 4: Assign Objectives Across the Months of the Year Goal-setting is a marathon, not a sprint. Instead of trying to do it all at once, assign your objectives to different months, focusing on just a few at a time. Be realistic here—no more than three objectives per month will allow you to make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. This pacing is key to creating a sustainable rhythm throughout the year.
Step 5: Use a Functional Planner to Track Your Tasks Finally, your plan will only be as good as your follow-through, so tracking is essential. Using a functional planner (like the Charmed Life Master Planner) allows you to map out each objective, month by month, and track tasks daily and weekly. This approach keeps your goals top of mind, ensuring you make consistent progress toward achieving them.
Why this method works
You are setting goals based on your priorities and where you want to go in life next, not arbitrary goals you feel like you “should” be setting but may not be meaningful for you.
You have a clear roadmap put in place at the start of the year so you can confidently show up in the short term to take actions knowing that by the end of the year everything will add up to the completion of your goal, instead of trying to do it all at once, getting overwhelmed and giving up.
You are limiting the amount of new tasks you can apply to a given month so you don’t take on too much and then fail to complete any single one objective.
You have room for changes and adjustments because your future objectives are penciled into your roadmap but not planned out in depth until you reach the month they belong to. I can’t see the future and neither can you, so our forward planning needs to be a point of reference, not detailed instructions.
Now, it’s one thing to read about the process, but it’s another thing to actually see the activities and steps as you would be performing them all together.
That’s why today I want to give you a look inside my YOU GOT GOALS Planner, including the Annual Review & Goal Prep Workbook!
The video is going to answer another major question I am often asked about my goal planning system…
“Is the YOU GOT GOALS Workshop + Planner only for personal goals or can you also use it for business goals?”
Answer: No, this system isn’t just for personal goals, you can also use it for business goals as well. However, because business goals require more specific types of annual planning including strategic projects, marketing and campaigns, I use another system that is designed specifically for reviewing business data and breaking down business related goals, called the CEO RETREAT!
Both systems are available as on-demand workshops to purchase from my shop individually or as a special bundle.
But of course, Charmed Life Master Mind members get these workshops included in their membership subscription. Master Mind members get to attend the live workshops for direct coaching from me during our class and also get on-demand goal setting support through our private Slack community.
So, if you want to use a goal setting method that increases your chances of success instead of setting you up for unnecessary expectations and failure, I’d love for you to get your hands on one or both of these guided goal planning systems.
Why I Don’t Recommend the 12 Week Year as a Female Productivity Guru
Hey there! Today, I want to chat about a popular productivity approach that you might have heard of—The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran. While this book has definitely made waves in the productivity world, I’ve got a few thoughts on why it might not be the best fit for women, especially those of us juggling multiple priorities.
What’s the 12 Week Year All About?
First, let me give you a quick rundown of what The 12 Week Year is all about. The author, Brian Moran, noticed that when people set annual goals, they often coast through most of the year, only to kick into high gear during the last 12 weeks. You know that last-minute hustle before the year ends? Moran believes that by focusing on shorter, 12-week sprints, we can keep that momentum going all year long and get more done.
Why the 12 Week Year Might Not Be Ideal for Women
While the idea of breaking down goals into more manageable chunks sounds great, I have a few reservations about the 12-week planning structure, especially for busy women like us. Here’s why:
Hustle and Burnout Culture: The 12 Week Year leans into a hustle mentality, which can be a fast track to burnout. Sure, taking action is super important, but living in a constant state of urgency can be draining—especially when we’re already managing so much.
Pressure on the Nervous System: This constant push can actually overwhelm our nervous systems, making it harder to stay productive in the long run. That’s why I’m all about a more gentle, sustainable form of productivity that works with, not against, our natural rhythms.
Masculine vs. Feminine Productivity: The strategies in The 12 Week Year seem to be designed with a more masculine approach in mind, where work often takes center stage. But for many women, life is about balancing work with family, health, community, and so much more. We need a productivity strategy that reflects that.
Capitalism Over Quality of Life: The book’s approach might be great for business goals, but when it comes to improving our overall quality of life, it falls a bit short. Productivity should be about making our lives better, not just increasing our output.
Limited Representation of Women: There’s only one example of a woman using the system in the book, and it’s all within a work context. The goals discussed are mostly performance-based, which doesn’t always fit with the holistic, multifaceted goals many of us are working toward.
What I Do Agree With
Now, don’t get me wrong—there are some things I like about The 12 Week Year:
Lack of Execution: Moran is spot on when he says that most people don’t follow through on their plans because they don’t feel that sense of urgency.
Parkinson’s Law: He also touches on a great point about how tasks tend to expand to fill the time we give them. By limiting our timeframes, we can push ourselves to be more efficient.
Compelling Vision: Having a clear, compelling vision is crucial for staying motivated, and this is something I emphasize in my own planning methods.
Weekly Planning: Moran and I both agree on the importance of weekly planning—not just as a to-do list, but as a strategic plan that guides our actions.
Commitment is Action: Commitment isn’t just about setting goals; it’s about taking consistent action to achieve them.
Why My You Got Goals Method Is Better Suited for Women
After working with so many incredible women on their productivity and planning, I developed the You Got GoalsMethodology, which I believe is a better fit than the 12-week sprint approach.
Annual Goals with Quarterly Milestones: Instead of focusing only on 12-week sprints, I’m all about setting annual goals with quarterly milestones. This way, you can manage multiple priorities across the year while keeping things balanced.
Managing Multiple Priorities: Annual goals give you the flexibility to plan for the right times to tackle different tasks, ensuring a more sustainable approach to productivity.
Long-Term Planning: Women often have goals that require longer timeframes, and annual planning allows us to look beyond just 12 weeks, which is often necessary for the kinds of goals we set.
Mindset Integration: My method also weaves in mindset work, helping you feel a positive sense of urgency and accountability without the stress of a ticking clock.
Looking for more productivity and planning strategies that work for women?
If this resonates with you and you’re looking for productivity and planning strategies that really work for women, I’d love for you to join my Charmed Life Master Mind. Inside, you’ll get access to my complete productivity and planning philosophies, including my You Got Goals Workshop series and the You Got Goals Planner. These tools are all about helping you set and achieve your goals in a way that feels good and sustainable.
If you’re just getting started, you can purchase my annual goal-setting and planning workshops separately. But when you join the Master Mind, you get so much more—a resource library with hundreds of classes, inserts, workbooks, recordings, and more. Plus, we have three live calls per month, along with on-demand coaching and accountability from me within our private group coaching community.
It’s that time of year again – time for a mid-year reset. I absolutely love the idea of a mid-year reset because we’re halfway through the year. If you’re anything like me, you started January 1st with huge goals and plans. However, life inevitably gets in the way, things shift, and you might find yourself off track. Now, as we approach the halfway point of the year, it’s a fantastic opportunity to realign, re-strategize your goals, and reset your plan.
Why a Mid-Year Reset is Essential
If you didn’t set goals at the start of the year, don’t worry – that’s totally okay. The transition into the new year can be incredibly busy. Often, we have the best of intentions to set goals, but if it doesn’t happen in January or by February, we feel like we need to wait until next year. That’s simply not true! This mid-year halfway point is a perfect chance to clarify the goals you want to achieve, make a plan, and organize your life to support those plans.
Don’t Have Goals Yet? No Problem!
Full disclosure: this post isn’t going to dive into the specifics of goal setting and planning. If you haven’t set your goals yet but want to follow my process, I recommend purchasing my You Got Goals Planner and workshop series. As a special treat, use the code 2024RESET at checkout to get 50% OFF. This will help you set the right goals now to carry you through to the end of the year!
The Power of a Mid-Year Reset
My approach to a mid-year reset is inspired by an amazing quote I heard years ago: “Six months of hardcore focus and alignment can put you five years ahead in life.” I truly believe this is true. If you can get clear on your goals, align your life with them, and put in the work, you can achieve in a matter of months what most people take years to accomplish.
The Four Stages of a Mid-Year Reset
This guided mid-year reset activity consists of four stages. For each stage, I’ll share some thoughts and specific activities for you to work through. I recommend setting aside at least one hour to complete this process in one sitting. Once you get the ball rolling, you’ll build momentum that will help you complete it sooner. When we break things into smaller pieces, we often either don’t finish the process or it takes much longer than it needs to.
Make sure to grab your goal materials and plans for the year, plus extra space to write and go through the activities – a notebook or a notes app will work just fine.
The four stages we’ll work through are:
Goal Reset
Vision Board Reset
Goal Life Realignment
Goal Life Organization and Reset
Phase One: Goal Reset
In this phase, we’ll take a close look at our annual goals and the plans we’ve made so far. This step is crucial to ensure we are moving forward with the goals that truly matter to us.
Activity: Reviewing Your Goals
Start by reviewing your list of goals for the year. For each goal, complete the following prompts:
Assess Progress:
What progress have I made on this goal so far?
What is left for me to do in order to accomplish it?
Identify Obstacles:
If no progress has been made, what obstacles have stopped me from taking action?
Is this still something worth prioritizing this year?
Commit to Goals:
Which goals am I committed to pursuing for the next six months?
What objectives do I need to achieve to complete them?
From here, assign 1-3 objectives to each remaining month of the year. This will act as the outline for your monthly planning.
Understanding Objectives
If you’re not familiar with my goal-setting terminology, an objective is the action plan for how you will achieve a goal. If the goal itself is what you want, the objective is how you will make it happen. Objectives take one of three forms:
Project Plan: A series of steps that you complete to get your desired outcome.
System: Similar to a project plan, but instead of working through the process once, systems are repeated on a recurring basis.
Habit: A single action you take on some recurring frequency.
For each goal you decide to move forward with over the next six months, you may have a number of different objectives to accomplish it. Take all those objectives and assign 1-3 per month of the year. Some objectives, like systems or habits, may need to be assigned to more than one month and that is perfectly fine.
Moving Forward
Once you know which goals you are committed to pursuing for the rest of the year, you can move on to Phase Two: The Vision Board Reset.
Phase Two: The Vision Board Reset
Creating a vision board for my goals has been an essential part of my process for years. Here’s why: when we can see the things we desire over and over, it not only reminds us of what we are working towards but also helps us get into the energy of that desire. It activates our creativity, our problem-solving abilities, and regulates our nervous system around the idea of trying new things to get new results.
I like to use the mid-year reset as a time to get back into the excitement of my goals by creating a new vision board. Whether or not my goals list has changed, it’s just nice to freshen things up and bring in a new excitement and energy around our goals.
How to Create Your Vision Board
Envision Your Goals:
Take each of your goals one by one and think about what you envision for this goal.
What would it look like for you to live in the reality where you have achieved it?
Search for Images:
Use Pinterest or other online resources to find images that resonate with your vision.
Save the images to your computer.
Create Your Vision Board:
Make two versions of your vision board: one landscape orientation for your computer and iPad background, and one portrait orientation for your phone and planner.
Use tools like Photoshop or Canva to create your vision boards. Alternatively, you can print your images and create a physical collage.
Tips for an Effective Vision Board
Get Clear on Your Future: Ensure the images reflect the future you envision when you achieve each goal.
Choose Inspiring Images: Pick images that seriously inspire you.
Avoid Faces That Don’t Look Like You: To maintain relatability, either choose images with no faces or blur out the faces.
Create Multiple Versions: Having different versions for various devices and places ensures you see your vision board frequently.
With your new vision board created, it’s time to move on to Phase Three: The Goal/Life Realignment.
Phase Three: The Goal/Life Realignment
In this phase, you will identify the habits you need to put in place to support your goals and create your ideal weekly and daily schedules to make room for each of your goals, ensuring dedicated time and space to work on them.
Habits for Goal Achievement
There is a quote attributed to Aristotle that I love: “You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” When it comes to achieving your goals, they are not just tasks you experience once; you need to develop the right habits that make your goals a consistent part of your life.
For each of your goals, get clear on which habits will help you achieve them and make them a permanent part of your life.
Additionally, I recommend incorporating the following seven success habits, which I call the Self-Mastery Seven. These are daily habits for success, and while you don’t need to do each one every single day, your life and goal achievement will benefit from doing them most days of the week.
Mindset Work: Engage in activities like visualization, affirmations, journaling, or meditation. You don’t need to do all of them daily, but doing one of these most days of the week will improve your mindset, which plays a major role in achieving any goal.
Movement: Aim for 150 minutes of zone 2 cardio a week, which translates to 30 minutes, five days a week, of a workout at roughly 60-70% of your maximum heart rate. This has significant science-backed benefits for managing your wellness and personal energy.
Planning: Consistently plan before taking major action. Setting your top three priorities and scheduling your day will make you more focused and productive.
Cooking: Prepare and eat home-cooked meals most of the time, as they are generally more nutritious and cost-effective.
Learning: Engage in continuous learning through reading, taking courses, watching instructional videos, or listening to educational podcasts.
Connection: Reach out and talk to people, develop intimate relationships, and share your innermost thoughts and feelings with trusted individuals. This significantly helps in reducing stress.
Sleep: Prioritize getting a good night’s sleep. Protect your sleep like it’s the most important thing you can do each day, as it truly is. Most people are sleep-deprived, which has the same effect as being drunk. Better sleep is crucial for every area of your life.
Next, let’s talk about creating your ideal or default weekly schedule.
If you’ve never heard me discuss the default weekly schedule, it is the master outline for what I do across an average week. Whether you realize it or not, you likely already have a loose weekly routine because we all fall into patterns. Taking control of this weekly routine allows you to create an intentional schedule that gives you time and space for everything that matters in your life.
While it’s true there aren’t enough hours in a day to fit everything, when we zoom out to the week, we have 168 hours to play with. To utilize your week strategically, think about the major categories of tasks you do—for work, home, personal goals, etc.—and time-block them across your week.
Morning Routine: Include your mindset work and daily self-care.
Recurring Tasks: Set aside time blocks for your grocery run, meal planning, and meal prep.
Workouts: Schedule your exercise sessions.
Connections: Allocate time for one-on-one interactions.
Rest: Include rest periods.
Life Essentials and Goals: Dedicate time blocks for life essentials and deep work on your goals.
Creating a themed workweek can be helpful, whether you work for yourself or in a job where your tasks vary. A default template for when you work on each category of tasks helps you stay focused and achieve better results.
Use this template as the skeleton of your plan when planning your weeks. Batch tasks and leave room for white space, so if something unexpected comes up, you have time for it without ruining your plans.
Creating Your Ideal Daily Schedule
Just like the default weekly schedule, you should have a version of your ideal day, noting when you will do certain habits or essentials. Since many activities are done daily or most days, set aside time in your daily routine for them.
Only schedule habits into your daily routine if it’s something you should do most days. Think about adding time for the Self-Mastery Seven mentioned earlier. Once you have this ideal daily routine, it becomes the template for how you move through your day. While it won’t always be 100% accurate, and some days will require adjustments, having this template will help you establish strong routines that make you a more organized and successful person.
Once you know what habits you need to work on, you can start adding those habits to your existing routines and create this time-blocked default weekly schedule to work from.
Phase Four: Goal/Life Organization
Now it’s time to get to the fourth and final phase of this mid-year reset process: Goal/Life Organization!
In this phase, we will cover what needs to get organized in your life to support the achievement of your goals. We’ll look at how your environment is currently set up and how it may already be supporting or perhaps hindering your goals. When I say environment, I mean three things: your physical environment (home, office, spaces where you live and work), the people in your environment who are impacting and influencing you, and your mindset (self-talk and limiting beliefs).
The way I see it is this: there is a reason you don’t have your goal yet—it’s because your environment isn’t optimal for you to take action. It doesn’t make it easy and stress-free for you to show up and live your life. So we need to ask ourselves some hard questions to see what needs to change so we have an environment conducive to achieving our goals!
Evaluating Your Current Environment
First, evaluate how your current environment either supports or hinders your goals. Look at your physical environment, the people in your life, and your mindset. What is working and what is not? Identify elements of support in each area and areas of hindrance that need to be fixed.
With that brain dump of ideas out of your head, let’s start getting more specific. Which areas of your home, office, or other personal spaces need organizing or optimization to bring you into alignment with your goals and ideal life?
Optimizing Your Physical Environment
One strategy I recommend for everyone is to get a handle on your wardrobe by choosing a Daily Uniform Template. Then, organize your closet so that your uniform is prioritized and the excess you don’t wear is moved or decluttered. Getting dressed in the morning is one of the most stressful points of the day for a woman. Research shows women are stressed out in the morning trying to choose what to wear, even with closets filled with clothes. A Daily Uniform Template solves this. It’s essentially deciding on a formula for dressing that works with your body shape, personal style, and the formality you dress for daily.
For example, my template for summer is a tank top, linen button-down, and linen pants or shorts. In the winter, I wear wool joggers and cashmere sweaters. Knowing this, I have cleared out clothes I don’t wear, pieces that don’t fit this template, or can’t easily be integrated with it, and streamlined my closet. This makes it quick and easy for me to get ready in the morning, and I know it will make it easier for you as well!
Beyond the closet, think about what you need to change in your physical environment to get the most from your space. Do you need to better organize files in your office? Reorganize the closet in the spare bedroom? Find a better storage solution for your towels in your bathroom? Identify the areas that need to be addressed. Some issues may have simple solutions like purchasing an organizational tool, but others may be projects requiring time to reorganize a space. These changes won’t happen overnight, but clearly identifying them means you can schedule time over the next few weeks to address them.
Evaluating the People in Your Life
Next, think about the people in your life. There is a quote I love that says, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” If you are trying to hit specific goals, you need to surround yourself with people who have also hit those goals or at least people with goals they are also going after.
On the flip side, if you have people in your life who are negative, unsupportive, or just not on a journey for personal growth, you may need to set boundaries with them, especially if they drain your time and energy more than necessary.
Ask yourself who in your life is bringing you stress and draining your energy. Take steps to set limits with them and protect your energy, so you have more energy for your goals and for interacting with like-minded individuals who are also working on their goals and dream life.
Sometimes, finding people on a similar journey is difficult, which is why I have the Charmed Life Master Mind where women in my community can learn, find accountability, and get coaching together to help them achieve their goals and create their best lives.
Improving Your Self-Talk
Finally, let’s address your self-talk. The way you speak to yourself is a major factor in your success. You are either your greatest hype person or your biggest critic. Your words and thoughts can motivate you into action or spiral you out of control. We need to get our self-talk to a more positive place by identifying the limiting beliefs we need to replace.
When you think about your goals, what limits do you see to your potential? A good way to identify limiting beliefs is to ask yourself why your goal might not work out. The answers will reveal the beliefs you need to face and replace. For each limiting belief, find some evidence or an affirmation that challenges the negative belief.
Here are a few examples:
Limiting Belief: I can’t get healthy; my whole family is out of shape.
Evidence: There are so many people who came from unhealthy families who made a change and ended up inspiring their families as well!
Limiting Belief: I can’t start a business; this niche is already too saturated.
Evidence: A saturated niche means plenty of business opportunity if I show up in a unique way.
Limiting Belief: I’m in my 40s and still not married; I’ll be single forever.
Evidence: People get married and divorced at every age; the right person for me is out there somewhere, also looking for me.
Once you have this evidence or affirmations, use them with your mindset work scheduled as part of the Self-Mastery Seven Success Habits!
Watch the Mid-Year Reset Video
Congratulations!
Once you have worked through this process, you have completed your Mid-Year Reset! You now have a clear vision for the next six months, a fresh vision board, realigned goals and life, key habits identified, template weekly and daily schedules in place, and a plan to organize your environment for success. Well done!
Join the Charmed Life Master Mind!
If you loved this post, gained valuable insights, and wish for more resources to help you plan and organize your life around achieving your goals, you belong inside the Charmed Life Master Mind!
The Charmed Life Master Mind is a planning, productivity, and personal development community designed for ambitious women. Here, you can learn, gain accountability, and receive coaching to help you show up as your best self each day, achieve your goals, and live your best life!
What You’ll Get in the Master Mind
Live Classes & On-Demand Tools: Access a mix of live classes and on-demand tools to enhance your planning and productivity skills.
Community Support: Join a supportive community where you can find inspiration, solutions, and coaching from me and other like-minded women.
Daily Inspiration & Coaching: Get daily inspiration and coaching as needed to keep you motivated and on track.
Why Join?
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If you lack growth-minded people in your life right now, the Charmed Life Master Mind can be the community you need. Share your journey, struggles, and celebrate your wins with people who also want the best for you—including me! I’ll be there to mentor and coach you as often as you need it.
Remember, six months of hardcore focus and alignment can put you five years ahead in life. Massively up-level your life this year by joining the Charmed Life Master Mind and getting the support and tools you need to make a quantum leap with your goals!
A Quick & Simple Mindset Practice to Kick Your Year Off for Success
Hello, goal-getters! As we embark on a new year, it’s the perfect time to align our mindset with success. Today, I’m sharing a quick and straightforward mindset practice that will set the tone for a year of achievement and fulfillment. Get ready to supercharge your goals with the power of affirmations.
What Are Affirmations?
Affirmations are positive, present-tense statements that reflect the reality you want to create or reinforce in your life. By repeating these statements regularly, you harness the power of positive thinking to influence your subconscious mind and, subsequently, your behavior and outcomes.
The Purpose of Affirmations
1. Overcoming Negative Self-Talk:
Affirmations serve as a counterforce to the often-negative chatter that plays in our minds. They challenge and replace self-doubt, criticism, and limiting beliefs with uplifting, empowering thoughts.
2. Shaping Your Reality:
Affirmations operate on the principle that your thoughts shape your reality. By consistently focusing on positive statements, you guide your mind towards manifesting those positive outcomes in your life.
3. Building Confidence and Self-Belief:
Regular exposure to affirmations fosters a sense of confidence and self-belief. As you repeat affirmations that affirm your abilities and worth, you build a foundation of self-assurance that can withstand challenges.
4. Creating a Positive Mindset:
Affirmations contribute to cultivating a positive mindset. By rewiring your thought patterns, you naturally develop a more optimistic outlook on life, enabling you to approach challenges with resilience and creativity.
Why Affirmations Work: Rewiring Your Mind for Success
Affirmations are more than just positive statements; they are a powerful tool for rewiring your mindset. By actively challenging and changing limiting beliefs, you create a mental landscape that fosters success. Here’s why this practice is so effective:
Positive Reinforcement: Affirmations provide consistent positive reinforcement, counteracting the negativity that may arise when facing challenges.
Mindset Shift: This practice encourages a shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, where challenges are viewed as opportunities for learning and growth.
Increased Confidence: Regular exposure to positive affirmations boosts confidence and self-belief, key ingredients for achieving ambitious goals.
Visualizing Success: Affirmations help you visualize your success, making your goals more tangible and attainable.
How to Use Affirmations Effectively
1. Be Specific:
Craft affirmations that are specific to your goals or areas of improvement. Specificity enhances the effectiveness of the affirmation and provides clarity on what you’re working towards.
2. Use Present Tense:
Frame your affirmations in the present tense as if you’re already experiencing the desired outcome. This helps align your subconscious mind with the belief that these positive statements are your current reality.
3. Include Emotional Connection:
Infuse your affirmations with emotion. Connect to the feelings associated with achieving your goals. The emotional charge behind affirmations makes them more potent and memorable.
4. Consistency is Key:
Repetition is fundamental to the success of affirmations. Incorporate them into your daily routine, making them a consistent part of your morning, evening, or work rituals.
Create Affirmations for Your Goals: A Transformative Mindset Practice
Creating and using affirmations for your goals is a power and transformative practice that will help you achieve more goals this year. Here is how to create goal affirmations for the most effective and impactful results!
Step 1: Set Your Goals for the Year
Begin by defining your goals for the year. Whether they are career milestones, personal achievements, or health and wellness objectives, lay them out clearly. Having a clear vision of what you want to accomplish is the first step toward success.
Step 2: Identify Limiting Beliefs
For each goal, delve into the deeper layers of your mindset by asking yourself why you might not be able to achieve it. Uncover those sneaky limiting beliefs that lurk beneath the surface – the excuses and reasons you might use to let yourself off the hook.
Step 3: Transform Limiting Beliefs into Affirmations
Take each limiting belief and flip it on its head. Transform it into a positive affirmation that empowers and uplifts you. These affirmations should counteract the negative thoughts and create a mental environment conducive to success.
Step 4: Compile Your Affirmations
Once you’ve crafted affirmations for each goal, compile them into a comprehensive list. This list will serve as your daily dose of positivity, reminding you of your capabilities and reinforcing your commitment to achieving your goals.
Step 5: Define Your Daily Mindset Practice
Incorporate your affirmations into a daily mindset practice that suits your routine. Whether it’s part of your morning ritual, a pre-work motivation boost, or an evening reflection, make it a consistent habit. The key is to feel into the affirmations, allowing them to uplift your spirits and instill confidence in your ability to succeed.
Step 6: Feel the Affirmations
As you go through your affirmations, truly feel the positivity and power behind each statement. Visualization can be a potent tool here – imagine yourself achieving your goals, feel the excitement, and let the affirmations resonate deep within you.
Join the Charmed Life Master Mind for Ongoing Mindset Mastery
Ready to take your mindset practice to the next level? Join our Charmed Life Master Mind for a wealth of resources and tools designed to enhance your mindset work. Surround yourself with a supportive community and gain access to exclusive materials that will empower you on your journey to goal achievement.
Here’s to a year of conquering limiting beliefs, embracing positive affirmations, and achieving every goal you set your sights on. Your success story starts with your mindset – make it a charmed one! 🚀✨
xoxo,
Alexis Giostra @MissTrenchcoat, Founder of Strange & Charmed
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, the promise of fresh beginnings beckons us to set ambitious goals and strive for new heights. But how do we ensure that the enthusiasm of the new year doesn’t wane into the familiar routine of unmet resolutions? In this blog post, we’ll explore a strategic process that can transform your aspirations into tangible achievements. Let’s make 2024 the year you not only set goals but crush them with intention and precision.
1. Choose 1-5 Priorities for the Year:
Begin by identifying the core aspects of your life that matter the most—your priorities. These can be people, places, or institutions that significantly impact your overall well-being. By focusing on a manageable number of priorities, you create a foundation for meaningful and impactful goal setting.
2. Set 1-3 Goals per Priority:
For each priority, establish 1-3 specific goals. A goal, in this context, is an outcome that either establishes a new standard, changes an existing one, or maintains a critical standard in your life. Ensure your goals are clear, measurable, and aligned with the priorities you’ve identified.
3. Define Objectives for Each Goal:
While goals provide the destination, objectives chart the course. Define actionable objectives for each goal—these are the steps you’ll take to achieve your desired outcomes. Consider your strengths and interests when deciding on your action plan. The path you choose should resonate with you, even if it diverges from the conventional approach.
4. Assign Objectives Across the Months of the Year:
Recognize that success is a journey, not a sprint. Strategically assign objectives to specific months, keeping in mind that you can’t do everything at once. Be realistic and allocate no more than three objectives to a particular month. This measured approach prevents overwhelm and allows for steady progress throughout the year.
5. Use a Functional Planner to Track Your Tasks:
A functional planner becomes your ally in the journey towards goal attainment. The Charmed Life Master Planner offers dedicated monthly planning and tracking inserts designed to help you stay organized. It provides a clear roadmap for each month, week, and day, ensuring that you allocate time and effort toward making your goals a reality.
This is Your Year Goal Planning Workshops
To supercharge your goal-setting journey, consider enrolling in the “This is Your Year” Goal Planning Workshops. Tailored for both life and business goals, these workshops guide you through the process of setting your goals, breaking your goals down into objectives, and planning out your actions for the year. “You Got Goals” focuses on overall life goals, while “CEO Retreat” is designed for business goals and annual business planning. Purchase these workshops individually or as a bundled package to equip yourself with the tools and strategies needed to make 2024 your most successful year yet.
As we step into the new year, let’s not merely hope for change; let’s strategically plan for it. With a clear roadmap, actionable steps, and the right tools, 2024 can indeed be the year you hit your goals and shape the narrative of your life.
Reflections & Resolutions: A Guide to Your Annual Review
Dear Strange & Charmed community,
As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves at the crossroads of reflection and anticipation. It’s a time when we pause, look back on the journey we’ve undertaken, and prepare to embark on a new chapter. The transition from one year to another is a profound opportunity for personal growth and transformation. Today, let’s embark on a guided journey of self-discovery as we delve into our annual review.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Journey
Begin by finding a quiet space where you can sit with your thoughts undisturbed. Grab your favorite journal or notebook – this will be your sanctuary during this introspective exercise. Take a deep breath and reflect on the past year.
Journaling Prompts: What were your triumphs? What challenges did you face? What moments brought you pure joy? Write them down.
The act of acknowledging both the highs and lows of your year is the first step toward personal growth.
Step 2: Unravel the Lessons
In every experience, there are lessons waiting to be unearthed. Dive deep into your reflections.
Journaling Prompts:What have you learned about yourself, your dreams, and your relationships? What skills have you developed? How have you evolved emotionally and mentally?
Each experience, no matter how small, contributes to your personal narrative. Embrace these lessons; they are the building blocks of your future successes.
Step 3: Embrace Your Achievements
Celebrate your achievements, both big and small. Acknowledge the progress you’ve made towards your goals.
Journaling Prompts:What did you achieve this year? How will you remember this year? What special events happened that you want to remember?
Celebrate your growth, for it is a testament to your resilience and determination. Write a list of your achievements – let them serve as a reminder of your capabilities.
Step 4: Set Your Intentions
Now, shift your focus to the future.
Journaling Prompts:What do you aspire to achieve in the coming year?
Set clear, actionable intentions. These intentions can then be used during your annual goal setting process to guide which new targets you wish to set and achieve in the New Year. Your intentions, when backed by determination and commitment, have the power to shape your reality.
Step 5: Cultivate Gratitude
Gratitude is the cornerstone of contentment. Take a moment to express gratitude for the experiences, both positive and negative, that have shaped your year.
Journaling Prompts:Who and what are you grateful for from this year?
Gratitude amplifies positive emotions and fosters resilience. As you express gratitude, you invite abundance and positivity into your life.
Dear reader, your annual review is a compass, guiding you toward a future brimming with possibilities. Embrace the lessons of the past, set intentions that resonate with your soul, and cultivate gratitude for the journey you’re on. Remember, this is your narrative, and you hold the pen. May your reflections be profound, your resolutions bold, and your journey ahead be filled with joy, growth, and endless opportunities.
With heartfelt wishes,
Founder, Strange & Charmed 🍂✨
P.S. If you’re looking for more support in living your best, most organized and successful life, consider joining my inner circle private group coaching community called The Charmed Life Master Mind. Each month we meet for live classes, Q+As and monthly planning sessions, plus you have access to an on-demand resource library with dozens of classes, workbooks, planner inserts and other tools to help you craft the life you want to live. Click here to learn more and enroll today for instant access to all my best content and tools!
Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and provide a progress update on one of my annual goals: becoming a well-dressed woman. Initially, I planned to share this update exclusively with my mastermind sisters, but I realized that the goal and the steps I took to achieve it could be inspiring and beneficial to a wider audience. Whether you resonate with the goal or not, this post will focus on the process of defining, breaking down, and executing a personal style transformation. So, let’s dive in!
Defining the Goal After spending a few years in sweatpants and loungewear due to the pandemic, I desired a wardrobe that aligned with my lifestyle, was budget-friendly, and reflected my personal style. The goal I embarked upon was to rebuild my wardrobe with classic pieces of good quality that would make me feel confident and help me effortlessly put together outfits each day.
Decluttering and Making Space The first objective was to declutter my closet and make space for the pieces that truly resonated with me. I let go of anything that no longer fit, didn’t align with my aesthetic, or remained untouched for an extended period. This step was crucial to ensure that my wardrobe only consisted of items I would use and love.
Identifying and Purchasing Classic Pieces Next, I needed to identify the specific classic pieces I wanted to incorporate into my wardrobe. To aid this process, I revisited a book called “365 Style” by Nicky Hilton, which provided a reliable framework for building a versatile wardrobe. The framework involved identifying three main occasions we consistently dress for, selecting six staple clothing items for each occasion, and incorporating five accessories for added style.
Following this framework, I curated my wardrobe based on my three main occasions: casual workwear, date nights, and loungewear. I selected six staple pieces for each category and identified the accessories that complemented each occasion. This framework allowed flexibility and personalization, enabling me to create a wardrobe that suited my unique lifestyle and preferences.
Executing the Objectives The objectives for this well-dressed woman goal involved decluttering my closet, defining the items I needed to purchase, and finding those pieces within a set budget. I started by decluttering my fall/winter wardrobe and invested in sweaters, dresses, and knit joggers from various brands. Additionally, I purchased a stunning pair of Chanel-inspired flats and incorporated timeless accessories to enhance my outfits.
In April, I repeated the process for my spring/summer wardrobe, focusing on linen pieces that aligned with the season. While I acquired most of the items on my list, I made a few adjustments to ensure the perfect fit and style. Ultimately, I integrated these new additions into my existing wardrobe, creating a cohesive capsule wardrobe for each season.
The Final Result I am delighted to announce that I have successfully completed this goal within the allocated timeframe. I now have a well-organized wardrobe that brings me joy and makes getting dressed each morning a breeze. The mix-and-match nature of my classic pieces has simplified my styling process, allowing me to feel more confident and put-together. Remarkably, I achieved this transformation while staying within my budget, spending less than $1,500.
My journey towards becoming a well-dressed woman has been incredibly rewarding and enlightening. The process of decluttering, setting objectives, and curating my wardrobe has resulted in a personal style transformation that truly reflects who I am and boosts my confidence. It’s not just about the clothes; it’s about making intentional choices that allow us to present our best selves to the world. If you’re also on a path to revamp your wardrobe, I hope my story has inspired you to take the necessary steps to create a wardrobe that brings you joy and empowers you every day. Remember, your personal style is a reflection of your unique personality and aspirations, so embrace the journey and enjoy the process of building a wardrobe that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
SET YOUR GOALS AND CRUSH THEM WITH THIS IS YOUR YEAR!
Do You Have Your Plans for 2023 made yet?
You have reviewed your progress from 2022, celebrated your wins, made peace with your shortcomings and let go of anything you don’t need to take with you into 2023.
You know what your goals are for 2023 for both your personal life and business.
You have a plan laid for what you need to do to make your goals happen and have set aside the time to complete the work.
You feel like your life is together. Like the successful, productive and organized person you know you are.
2023 IS YOUR YEAR
→ You can walk into 2023 with a well organized plan to get things done or no plan and not enough time for you to finish your to do list.
→ You can have a balanced daily routine with room for all the areas of your life or feel rushed and overwhelmed day to day pushing aside your personal goals yet again in favor of other priorities.
→ You can live life at an intentional and productive pace or deprive yourself of sleep, rest and self care to cram in every single task for the day.
