There’s a well known saying that failure to plan is planning to fail. It may be cliché, that doesn’t mean it isn’t profoundly true. The second installment of the Uncommon Freedom Podcast’s Launch Well Series is all about goal setting to make 2023 your best year ever.

The forgotten step before goal setting

One step of planning that people sometimes forget about is actually planning to plan. If you caught last week’s episode of the Uncommon Freedom Podcast’s Launch Well Series, or if you read last week’s blog post, you’ll already know that one thing we recommend is setting aside dedicated time to plan for the future. Basically, don’t forget how important this often forgotten step of planning really is.

Our quarterly retreats, especially in the fourth quarter, have become the perfect setting for us to plan for our future together. The change of scenery and limited distractions from every day life make a huge difference because it creates an environment of relaxation and creativity. 

Challenge : don’t use finances as an excuse!

The life we live today is radically different from the life we were living when we first got married. We understand that quarterly getaways may seem out of reach due to logistical or financial reasons, but we’d really like to challenge you to push through those so-called barriers. To be clear; we are not telling you to go into debt or create further hardship for your family, but you may surprise yourself with how much you can achieve with a little creativity. 

Here’s an example: If you are a couple with children and the financial burden of childcare is an issue,  consider partnering up with another couple you know, and propose a getaway exchange. Tell them about the idea of a quarterly retreat and how beneficial that time can be. Allow them to take a weekend away (or even just enjoy a quiet, kid-free home for a night) and care for their children in exchange for them returning the favor. 

If you really, really can’t get away, there are ways you can simulate the experience by finding somewhere private, unplugging, and focusing on the planning process for a dedicated amount of time. However you can make it happen, it will benefit you and your family so much!

Using reflection to inform your new year goal setting

Last week we introduced the Yearly Reflection Worksheet and how we use it to inform our goal setting process to make the upcoming year the best ever. If you haven’t started that worksheet yet, there’s no time like the present! Grab a copy here and set aside some time to fill out the first two pages before diving into goal setting for the year to come.

Spending dedicated time on these questions provides a unique, guided process for reflecting on the past year. It will help you identify what went well, what could’ve gone better, and where you want to take your journey in the year to come. The flow of questions will set you up to start creating and refining your goals to make the coming year the best yet, so don’t skip it! Learn more by listening to last week’s podcast episode or reading last week’s blog.

Reminders before you start setting goals

You don’t have to accept the life you’ve been given

Only you have the power to decide to push through the proverbial ceiling and choose to lead the life you want. Your goals going into 2023 should reflect that. In Kevin’s favorite book, Relentless by John Bevere, we are reminded of the scriptural principle that God’s grace is unlimited, and it is up to you to choose not to limit yourself. As you start to plan for your best year yet, challenge yourself to acknowledge limits you may be setting for yourself. Then challenge yourself even further to remove those limitations and strive for more.

Be S.M.A.R.T. about goal setting

Creating SMART goals is a concept that changed goal setting for us a long time ago. SMART stands for: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. By making your goals SMART, you are automatically increasing your chances of achieving your 2023 goals and making this year your best year ever.

We actually created our own worksheet to share with you to help make your goals SMART, so if you need a little guidance, grab that right here!

Capability is not the same as capacity

Identifying the relationship between capability and capacity is the last element of goal setting we want to point out, and we feel that it’s especially applicable to working parents. As highly driven people, we’ve definitely had to learn the lesson of balance and constantly remind ourselves that just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. For example, just because we’re capable of taking on a few more clients doesn’t mean we have the capacity to do so without giving up time we’d like to invest in our children. As you’re setting your goals for 2023, don’t forget to ask yourself how achieving your goals might affect other areas of your life.

Let’s set those goals!

Pages three through five of the Yearly Reflection Worksheet are all about setting goals for the year to come. These pages will help you identify goals that will truly make it the best year ever, including personal, family, and business goals. 

Just like in the first two reflection pages, we’ve chosen these goal setting questions to push you to think beyond the most basic. For example, one of our favorite questions asks, “what currently brings you the most joy and how are you going to do more or have more of that in your life in 2023?” From that example you can see how instead of just making it a goal to be happier, you’ll be guided toward identifying exactly how you can make that a reality.

We review a handful of questions and goals that stood out to us this year on the podcast so if you need some inspiration, we invite you to check that out as you start thinking about your own goals for the coming year.

Don’t forget the kids!

Last but not least, if you have children, we want to encourage you to introduce and encourage goal setting in their lives, too! We have an awesome printable for new year’s goal setting with kids that pairs nicely with the Yearly Reflection Worksheet. This version is simplified and looks a little more fun for those younger eyes. We love completing this worksheet on New Year’s day, but it’s valuable at any time to help your kids launch well into 2023 by your side. Grab it here!