It’s almost January and that means it’s new year’s resolutions time. Everyone always feels obligated to make them but most of the time, the resolutions are super unrealistic, (guilty) and everyone usually gives up and goes back to the same habits and routines that are comfortable. Researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them, 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week (goodbye self-esteem), and 43% quit by the end of January (hello feelings of failure). So instead of the same old, same old, let’s move beyond resolutions and PLAN our next 365 days with a great strategy to live life better.

Why Plan?

Our lives quickly get bogged down with mundane everyday responsibilities for work and family, so planning is essential for prioritizing yourself. Everyday routines can be great, but can easily become a rut. The trick to avoiding a rut is planning newness. Newness doesn’t just happen, we need to create and plan it. I feel this more and more as I approach the big 4-0. Given that the average American lives to 78 years old, my most relevant years are dwindling fast. Yikes!

We can’t afford to just “wing it” anymore and have a wonderful year filled with newness and fun. I say this not to be morbid, but to motivate us to plan the best 2024. The awesome thing about planning is that after you do the work, all you need to do is follow the script! Easy 😉

The Man With The Plan

Sooo I might be a little obsessed with Jesse Itzler and his wife, Sara Blakely. If you aren’t familiar, Jesse is a serial entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker and is renowned for his unconventional yet highly effective approach to planning and conquering the year ahead. At the heart of his strategy lie the “The Big A## Calendar” and the philosophy of a “Misogi,” offering a unique blend of practicality and mindset to achieve extraordinary results.

Sara is the founder of Spanx, a brand that needs no introduction. They are not only amazing people on their own, but they are also the cutest couple with the most amazing family. Needless to say, they are a boss power couple who inspire me daily, so I am so excited to share Jesse’s strategy on how to plan an incredible year and hope you join me because if we don’t plan it, then it probably won’t happen.

To help make planning easier, Jesse created The Big A## Calendar. It isn’t just a large planner; it’s a visual representation of time, goals, and opportunities. Spanning an entire year, this oversized calendar becomes a canvas for mapping out goals and the path to success. Its grand scale serves as a constant reminder of the bigger picture, encouraging a holistic approach to planning. His planning system is all about designing a lifestyle that maximizes the important things in life: family, fun, health and intentional living. Because we are generally living life on defense, so it’s time to flip the switch and live a life on offense. So break out the good wine and get your Big A## Calendar (or this not quite as big calendar) and let’s get planning.

 

 

Close Out 2023

Before you plan an awesome 2024, let’s first close the chapter on 2023. Take this time to evaluate the year, both the wins and the losses. Take note of what worked (and to do more of) and what didn’t (and where to pivot). We always learn more from our failures than our wins and it’s a great time to reflect and redirect for 2024. During this time, Jesse writes handwritten letters to those special people who made a positive impact on his life throughout the year. This could be co-workers, business partners, friends, family or anyone who really touched you and made your year better and brighter in some way. I love this idea. We don’t tell people enough how much we appreciate them and it makes a big impact.

Get Light

“Get light for the new year” does not mean go start a fad diet. Instead, get rid of all the clutter that has accumulated over this past year so that you can enter the new year with a clear mind. When you have old things around you, in your car, closet or computer, they can bog you down mentally and energetically. It truly does make a difference. By getting light, you can free up energy and gain momentum for the new year.

Get Light Formula:

• • Closet clean out (Follow the easy steps by master organizer Marie Kondo).

• • Clean out your email & unsubscribe from all the junk (I’ve already deleted thousands of old emails and it feels GREAT)

• • De-clutter your car

• • Organize your desk: papers, mail, bills, cancel old subscriptions

The Plan

1) Choose Your Misogi

A misogi is a major accomplishment or experience that will define your year. It can be anything of significant meaning to you. Think publishing a book, running a 100 mile race, launching a podcast, or becoming a private pilot. Pick a goal that is scary and challenges you to get out of your comfort zone so that at the end of the year, you can look back and be so proud of yourself for accomplishing it. What has been on your bucket list that you haven’t started yet? Add it to your calendar! How you add your misogi to the calendar will depend on many factors, but the simple act of adding an event or blocking off time gives you something to look forward do and work backwards from. 

*If you don’t have a major misogi this year, don’t stress! There are plenty of important goals that you can add to you calendar, because life happens. Just try and push yourself in some way to grow, which could be mental, physical or spiritual. Just make sure to add goals that will make yourself proud. 🙂

2) Follow Kevin’s Rule

One of Jesse’s best friends, Kevin, figured out an easy way to do new things throughout the year. Simply take one day every other month and do something that you normally wouldn’t do. If you do this, you will have added 6 mini adventures this year that you otherwise would not have had. These things could be anything such as a sign up for a cooking class, hiking trip, concert, run a charity 5k, host a neighborhood gathering or any activity that you enjoy or want to try. Remember when I mentioned needing to plan newness? Following this rule is a surefire way to make that happen while having some fun and new experiences.

3) Develop A New Habit Quarterly

Work in 4 new habits this year and watch how they transform your life. It’s all about taking small steps and building toward an elevated routine. These habits could be as simple as drinking more water, meditating, reading more or waking up earlier. If you are looking for a new perspective on how to build habits that stick, I love the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, a leading expert on habit formation, and will be re-reading it in the new year. Adding a new winning habit every quarter can improve your health, your mindset, your relationships, your work, and your life.

Final Thoughts

Jesse Itzler’s approach to planning a successful year provides a refreshing perspective on goal setting and personal development. By simply adding these 3 things to your calendar, you will not only have an unforgettable year, but also create an unforgettable LIFE! The math works out. If you’re 30 years old now and live to 80, you’ll have added 50 year-defining events and 300 mini adventures. That’s a heck of a life.

As you embark on your planning journey, remember, it’s not just about managing time; it’s about making the time count! Use The Big ASS Calendar as the perfect tool to do more of the things you love, with the people you love to do them with and you will no doubt have an incredible 2024 that you will be proud of.

Let us know your misogi’s in the comments below and let’s dominate 2024 together.

Gina