Defining What to Stop, What to Start, and What’s Possible for 2010

This month on Startup Princess we’re focusing on PLANNING: How to Plan EVERYTHING, so you’re equipped to Make LOTS of Wishes and Make them Happen in 2010. Watch for lots of posts in our Startup & Grow and Life Balance categories on the subject. Here’s my personal strategy for how I define what to stop, what to start, and what’s possible.

1. Review 2009. If you haven’t already, set aside a couple hours to really review and evaluate the good, bad, and the ugly about how things went last year in every aspect of your life. I am fully convinced that if your family life is suffering but your business is rockin’ then that’s not something to be so proud about. Ask yourself lots of questions such as: What did you love about it? What didn’t go so well? Did you get burned out? Why? You might like to look at the Wheel of Life and rate yourself in each category.  If you’re really up to doing a thorough review, take a look at Chris Guillebeau’s post on how to conduct your own annual review

2. Decide what you’re going to STOP doing in the future. (Watch Startup Princess Fairy Godmother Danielle LaPorte’s TV Segment and read her first post and follow up on the topic). I did a Fire Starter session with Danielle last year and she told me to stop cleaning my house and stop doing my finances, it’s been a blessing, enough said!! Do it, figure out what you’re going to stop and be FREE. This year I’m joining Danielle and also am going to stop checking my email all day long. I’ll follow Tim Ferriss of 4 Hour Work Week and do it 2x; I’ve decided that I’ll do it once in the afternoon and once after my kids are in bed. Consider an intern, now is the time to find one, contact your local college!

3. Dream away! Heather Bailey said at our Startup Princess Touchpoint Conference in 2009 that when you’re brainstorming ideas and dreams, “Don’t Edit!” Get out your sketch books, poster boards, magazines, magic markers, turn on your favorite tunes, make something delicious to drink and make your Vision Board, Bucket List, or whatever it is you want to call it…. I know you want one. You deserve every dream…create them!! I loved Gwen Bell’s post How to Make a Personal Manifesto. Here’s a TV segment I did for Studio 5 on Finding Time for Your Passions where I talk about Action Creation and show my current vision board and a previous Giant Journal.

4. EDIT Your Dreams for 2010. What makes sense? Is this the year for a Triathlon or is it the year for Baby #2? Is this the year to plant the garden or to go to the Farmer’s Market? Will you develop new products? Offer new services? Or systemize what you’ve got? Plan an Exit Strategy?  Listen to your heart! Ask and Ye Shall Receive. Journal everything. Don’t toss your dreams that you can’t “fit in” this year, set them aside for the future when life says YES.

5. Set Aside Time to Fulfill your NEW Dreams. It’s true that you’ll never get there if you don’t know where you’re headed or even carve out the time to do it! I recommend chunking up your biggest goals into 90 day deadlines/quarterly goals. Fill up your days! Schedule laser focus days, hair appointments, vacation times, date nights, free days, etc. Decide when and how you’re going to work and let everyone else know.

6. Decide a Mantra, Theme or Motto for the Year. (I just did Danielle’s 3 word exercise. Mine for 2010 are: Design. Cultivate. Enjoy.) Themes of my recent past: 2007 “North Star”, 2008 “Fit and Fabulous and Ready for Media at Any Moment” and 2009 “Surrender Brings Balance”. Write it down on a 3×5 card and put in your wallet, post on your mirror, fridge, etc. If you’d like find an image to go with it as a reminder.

After taking time to consider each of these areas, I’m confident that you’ll be off to a successful 2010! Share with us…what’s on your wishlist? stoplist? Let us know what we can do to support you!