How Do You Plan for a New Year? (What I’ve Tried, What Worked, and What I’m Keeping
Every year around this time, the internet gets loud.
New versions. New routines. New systems. New goals.
Reinvention everywhere.
I’ve played that game for years—vision boards, word of the year, goal sheets, planners, apps, resets, fresh starts. Some of it helped. Some of it didn’t. A lot of it looked good on paper but didn’t survive real life.
So this year, I’m doing something different.
I’m not reinventing myself.
I’m refining what already works.
This is a look at what I’ve tried over the years, what actually helped, what didn’t stick, and what I’m carrying forward into this next year—intentionally.
What I’ve Tried Over the Years
Vision Boards
I love them. I still do.
They’re great for clarity and inspiration—but on their own, they aren’t a plan. They help me define what I want, not how I’ll get there.
What I learned: Vision without follow-through becomes decoration.
Word of the Year
This is one practice I’ve returned to again and again.
Choosing a single word helps anchor my intentions and decision-making—but only when I keep it visible and revisit it regularly. When I don’t, it fades into the background by February.
What I learned: A word only works if you bring it back into the conversation—often.
Goal Sheets (The Overachiever Edition)
I’ve written the big, ambitious lists. The ones that cover every area of life and assume I’ll be operating at peak energy all year long.
Spoiler Alert… that’s not how life works.
What I learned: Too many goals dilute focus. Fewer, clearer goals create momentum.
All-Digital Planning
I’ve tried managing everything digitally—apps, reminders, dashboards, notes.
It’s efficient, but it disconnects me from the process. I stop thinking and start just reacting.
What I learned: Efficiency without intention leads to burnout.
What Actually Worked
Not the flashiest systems. Not the most aesthetic ones.
The simple, repeatable habits that survived busy seasons and hard weeks.
What I’m Sticking With This Year (Because It Actually Works)
1. A Physical Planner + Google Calendar (Used Together)
This is the backbone of my system now.
Google Calendar holds the non-negotiables: appointments, deadlines, commitments, events.
My physical planner is where I plan, process, reflect, and prioritize.
The calendar tells me where I need to be.
The planner helps me decide how I want to show up.
They don’t compete—they support each other.
2. Quantified Goals (So Progress Is Clear)
This year, I’m done with vague goals.
I’m writing goals that are:
Measurable
Time-aware
Honest about my current season of life
Not to pressure myself—but to remove the constant question of “Am I doing enough?”
Clarity creates calm.
3. Writing Goals Down (On Purpose)
There’s something grounding about physically writing goals.
It slows me down.
It forces honesty.
It helps me notice when a goal doesn’t actually fit anymore.
If a goal feels heavy the moment I write it, that’s information—not failure.
4. Monthly Reflection (Instead of Waiting Until December)
I’m not waiting until the end of the year to reflect anymore.
Each month, I’m revisiting:
What worked
What didn’t
What needs adjusting
What I’m proud of—even if it was quiet progress
Reflection keeps me aligned while I’m living the year, not just reviewing it after it’s over.
Why I’m Doing It This Way
I’m not building a system for productivity points or aesthetics.
I’m building one for sustainability.
One that allows growth without burnout.
One that supports structure without rigidity.
One that makes room for real life.
If You’re Planning Your Year Too
You don’t need a perfect system.
You need one that:
Fits your actual life
Respects your energy
Can evolve without guilt
Start there.
A Question for You
What planning habits are you keeping this year—not because they’re trendy, but because they actually work for you?
