Happy New Year gorgeous! 

I have a confession... 

I don't like making New Year's resolutions. 

I know, shocking right? You'd think it would be such a manifesting and mindset thing to do, but I actually think that January 1st is one of the worst times to set goals. 

You're feeling hungover and lazy from too much food or too much family time, and quite frankly, I think it's okay to do nothing for a few days.

If you're anything like me, last year was go, go, GO. 

I launched new courses and a new book, renovated my farm, and juggled raising three kiddos — all while hitting some big goals (like our highest revenue ever). 

Honestly, by the holidays, I was exhausted. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.

You probably don’t take nearly enough time to relax and replenish. Like most entrepreneurs, you probably work too close to burnout.

I don't believe you need the New Year hype to create a successful year and most of us don't get in the groove until the second week of January, anyway.

So when's the best time to plan your year? 

The day you actually do it!

Maybe it will be today.

If not, don't beat yourself up if you're having a slow start to the year, there's plenty of time to pull it together — later on.

When you’re ready, implement these tips to spark off your outrageously successful year:

 1. Become a regular goal-setter

Start each week with a simple goal-setting exercise. To create some really incredible luck, jot down your top 3 goals for each day. 

If you write your goals down, you’re more likely to achieve them. 

 2. Go part-time at your job (if you still have one)

Going back to the office in January really sucks if you'd rather be working for yourself. 

Yet I see a lot of people quit their day jobs waaaaaay before they're ready. This really piles on the pressure to have a successful business straight away.

If you can, take your job down to 3 or 4 days while you get some clients, build your website and start making money. 

If you need tips on how to navigate the tough conversation with your boss, 

I recommend Tim Ferriss' Four Hour Work Week 

If you don’t start the process soon— you'll still be working for someone else come December. 

 3. Commit to going pro in your business (if you have one)

You need to make practical shifts to achieve your business goals this year. But knowing everything you need to do can easily be overwhelming

Paying for coaching or joining a mastermind is amazing and crucial for business owners. I see too many entrepreneurs being cheap with themselves when they could be investing in things to turn pro quicker and actually make some money.

I have a big money goal for this year, so I’m upgrading my team, brand, and copywriting. 

It wasn't so much about the mindset shift. I am investing to go to the next level. 

Ask yourself:

• What's my income goal for my business?
• What do I need to go pro?
• What's the biggest shift I need to make? 
• What course or mentor do I need to work with? 

Then cough up and make the investment.

 4.  Invest in a cleaning service

Cleaning is probably the easiest thing you can outsource to immediately improve the quality of your life.

I had my cleaner way before I could afford it, but coming home to a clean house makes you feel like a million bucks. The peace of mind is worth every cent. You can find the money for it. Make it happen today. 

Seriously, call the company now. I’ll wait.

“Way ahead of you, Denise. I’ve already got a cleaner.” Awesome. Outsource another thing, like automating your shopping or hiring a personal assistant — for the admin tasks that really annoy you. 

I also recommend getting a bookkeeper if finances stress you out – it will be an awesome investment.

5. Eliminate just one thing today that makes you unhappy

Choose one thing today that’s annoying you right now and fix it. 

It could be a wobbly table, a friend's negative Facebook posts, a messy desk, whatever. 

Take five minutes and put a wedge under that sucker, hide that friend permanently from your newsfeed and clean off one section of your desk.

Tomorrow – choose one more thing. That will make a huge difference in the long run than procrastinating doing the big stuff.

You don't have to make all-encompassing changes because often, it really is the small things in life that can make or break our happiness.

6. Lastly, enjoy chilling out once in a while.

2023 can be a great year. You deserve to actually enjoy it.

We can all get caught up in thinking we have to set goals the "right way" or we'll be doomed but that's not true. Just keep your eye on the outcome – what will life be like 12 months from now? 

You don't need to be perfect to achieve it. You don't need to fundamentally change who you are this year, either. You can just create your dream life one day and one action at a time.

You can still be messy, not shower until 5pm some days, have PMS, eat chocolate, bite your nails, be a terrible cook, stay obsessed with some junk food… or whatever you think you have to give up this year, and STILL be successful.

It's your year and you are more than ready for the next step.

xx Denise