👋 Welcome, Life Architects!

💥 Introduction: New Year, New You: Welcome 2025!

📔 Article Roundup: Must-read articles on goal setting and motivation to get your mind right for the new year

⭐️ 5 Goal Setting Methods You Didn’t Know You Needed: Bored with SMART goals? Check out OKRs, WOOP, and BHAGS (don’t worry, I’ll explain later)

Customized Coaching for Every Chapter:

🏠 Empty-Nesters: Rediscovering Your Identity

🍎 Students: Building Your Vision

💼 Professionals: Designing Work-Life Harmony

🧓 Retirees: Embracing Possibility

💪 Monthly Challenge - 90 Days to Success: Recharge and refocus with a holistic approach to personal development

💭 Final Thoughts: Taking small steps toward your goal equals big rewards when done properly

New Beginnings Await

Happy New Year! It’s 2025. I am so glad you’re here!

A new year is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a powerful invitation to reset, refocus, and reimagine what’s possible. Think of 2025 as a blank page, waiting for you to write your next chapter.

This is your time to set the tone for the year ahead. Start by adopting a mindset of possibility and growth. Visualize the goals you want to achieve, the habits you want to build, and the person you want to become. Manifesting good things begins with believing they’re within your reach.

It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to start. With small, intentional steps, you can create momentum and open the door to new opportunities.

This year is full of potential—let’s embrace it together.

New Year, New You?

2025 offers a fresh start, a blank canvas, and the perfect time to embrace the possibilities ahead! This year isn’t just about resolutions; it’s about designing a life that reflects your values, passions, and goals.

No matter where you are on your journey—rediscovering your identity, stepping into new opportunities, or striving for balance—there’s no better moment to take that first step. In this issue, we’re sharing inspiration and practical tips to help you create the life you love, one intention at a time.

This year is yours to design. Let’s make it meaningful, fulfilling, and uniquely yours.

Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

-C.S. Lewis

5 Goal Setting Methods You Didn’t Know You Needed

Tired of the same old goal-setting routine? While SMART goals have their place, sometimes you need a method that sparks creativity, aligns with your deeper values, and adapts to life’s unpredictability. Exploring alternative approaches can help you dream bigger, connect with your "why," and navigate challenges with a more dynamic and personalized plan. Let’s dive into fresh strategies that go beyond rigid frameworks, empowering you to set goals that inspire action and resonate with your unique journey.

OKR (Objectives and Key Results)

Think of OKRs as your travel compass for navigating big adventures:

Objectives are your destination, the exciting places you want to reach.
Key Results are the milestones along the way, confirming you're headed in the right direction.

For instance, imagine you're running an innovative online bookstore. Your Objective might be: "Revolutionize how readers discover books."
Your Key Results could look like:

1. "Achieve a 15% increase in personalized book recommendations by enhancing AI algorithms."

2. "Boost customer retention by 25% through a loyalty rewards program."

It’s like planning a trip to an amazing city. The objective is the city itself, and the key results are the landmarks you visit that ensure you’re on track to fully experience the journey. Just as each landmark adds meaning to your trip, each key result brings clarity and progress toward your bigger goal.

WOOP

WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) is like your personal strategy playbook:

• Wish: Think big—what’s the ultimate achievement you’re chasing?

• Outcome: Paint a vivid picture of what success will look and feel like.

• Obstacle: Anticipate the bumps in the road that could slow you down.

• Plan: Build a clear, actionable roadmap to navigate through or around those challenges.

For example, imagine you’re launching a groundbreaking app. Your Wish is to become the go-to platform in your niche. Your Outcome might be securing one million active users in your first year. Obstacles could include stiff competition and limited marketing resources. Your Plan? Develop a razor-sharp value proposition, focus on grassroots marketing, and partner with influencers to spread the word.

It’s like prepping for a championship game: You dream of the trophy, visualize victory, prepare for the rival’s moves, and craft the perfect game plan to bring it home.

BHAGS

BHAGs (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals) are those electrifying visions that make you think, "Is this even possible?!"

• Daring: They push you to imagine beyond what seems achievable.

• Enduring: These are epic sagas, not quick chapters.

Picture this: A small eco-fashion brand sets its BHAG as: "Redefine the global fashion industry by eliminating waste by 2035."

Or think about a tech startup dreaming up: "Empower a billion people to access affordable renewable energy by 2040."

It’s like aiming to climb Everest—it’s daunting, it’s bold, and it demands unwavering commitment. But with every step, you inspire others and move closer to redefining what’s possible.

9 Simple Tricks for How to Motivate Yourself When You're Feeling Totally Uninspired

The Most Underutilized Form of Motivation 

Harvard Business Review: Best Books for Setting Goals

Finding Your “Why”: The Science of Value-Based Goal Setting 

Rediscovering Your Identity

The kids are grown, and your schedule might feel a little emptier—but this is the perfect opportunity to fill it with something that excites you. As an empty-nester, this chapter of life is all about rediscovery and self-expression.

Think back to hobbies or passions you’ve put on hold. Did you once love painting, dancing, gardening, or writing? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to try something completely new, like photography, pottery, or hiking.

This month, take the first step toward reigniting that spark:

• Join a Class: Whether it’s art, fitness, or a new skill, learning something fresh can inspire and energize you.

• Take a Solo Trip: Explore a destination you’ve always dreamed of visiting, even if it’s just a day trip to a nearby town.

• Volunteer: Give back to your community while meeting like-minded people.

Don’t overthink it—just pick one thing and dive in. Rediscovering yourself starts with small, intentional steps. You might just find that this season of life becomes your most exciting yet!

What’s one passion or interest you’ll explore this month? Let me know—I’d love to hear your story!

Building Your Vision

It’s never too early to start shaping the life you dream of. Think of the new year as a blank canvas—your chance to paint a picture of who you want to become and the life you want to create.

Start by setting your intentions. Ask yourself: What do I want to learn, experience, or achieve this year? These don’t have to be massive goals; even small steps can lead to big changes over time.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Take a Class Outside Your Major: Broaden your horizons and discover new interests or skills. You never know how a single course could shape your future.

• Join a Club: Meet new people, explore your passions, and build a supportive community.

• Start a Passion Project: Whether it’s a blog, a small business idea, or a creative endeavor, use your free time to invest in something meaningful to you.

The key is to start small and be open to experimenting. This year isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about exploring your options and discovering what excites you.

What will your first step be?

Finding Balance and Pivoting with Purpose

Your career is important, but it doesn’t have to overshadow your personal life. Let 2025 be the year you reclaim balance and align your work with the life you want to live.

Start by evaluating your current situation. What areas of your life feel out of sync? Maybe work has crept into your evenings, or you’ve been putting off hobbies or relationships. Reflect on what balance looks like for you and what changes might help you achieve it.

Next, prioritize your well-being. Begin setting boundaries—schedule time for yourself just as you would for meetings or deadlines. Whether it’s taking a walk during lunch, saying “no” to tasks that don’t align with your goals, or dedicating evenings to personal interests, small steps can make a big difference.

This month, commit to one new habit that supports your balance. Perhaps you’ll start a morning routine to set the tone for your day, make it a point to leave work on time, or take up an activity that helps you unwind.

Your pivot starts with a single step. What will you prioritize to create a more balanced 2025?

Embracing Possibility

Retirement isn’t the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter! With more time and freedom, 2025 can be the year you embrace the possibilities that once felt out of reach.

Start by dreaming big. Ask yourself: What’s something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for? Maybe it’s learning a new language, writing a book, exploring distant lands, or mastering a craft.

But dreaming is just the start—take action! Consider joining a community group to connect with others, planning a trip to a destination you’ve always wanted to explore, or diving into a passion project that energizes you.

This month, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Identify one thing you’ll try and commit to it. Whether it’s attending a local workshop, signing up for a fitness class, or starting that project you’ve been putting off, the key is to begin.

Retirement is your time to shine. What new possibility will you embrace this month?

Did You Know?

80% of goal-setters feel confident they can stick to their resolutions throughout the year, but only 20% actually do?

New Year, New Achievement: 90 Days to Success

90 Days to Success Challenge is your invitation to transform your goals into reality, no matter where you are in life. Whether you're a retiree exploring new hobbies, a professional ready for a career pivot, an empty nester seeking fresh purpose, or a student stepping into the world of opportunity, this challenge is designed for you. Over the next 90 days, you'll define your vision, tackle obstacles, and take bold action to achieve your dreams. With guidance, proven strategies, and support, you’ll create meaningful progress and rediscover what truly drives you. Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Let’s go!

Small Steps, Big Rewards

As we kick off the new year, it’s time to embrace the challenge of charting a new path. Big changes don’t happen overnight, but with consistent, intentional small steps, the rewards can be life changing. Each day is an opportunity to move closer to your goals, no matter how daunting they may seem right now. So, take a deep breath, trust the process, and commit to showing up for yourself—one step at a time. Together, let’s make 2025 the year you design the life you’ve always imagined!

See you next time,

Janelle