New Year Goals – Add These to Your Calendar!
Many people around the world kick off the new year by setting some kind of goal (or at least consider setting one). Maybe after spending time with family over the holidays, you’ve decided to set a goal to spend more quality time with loved ones. Or perhaps after enjoying a plentiful quantity of rich foods, you’re now determined to eat healthier- for at least the next week or two, anyway.
One priority that’s often overlooked is to set aside time for rest and recharge. That’s how six months (or an entire year!) can go by before you realize that you never got around to taking time for yourself.
To make sure you have the time for some R&R, consider for your New Year Goals adding placeholders on your calendar for implementing one or more of the following:
*Company Holidays
If your company has declared a holiday, take advantage of it! A placeholder will prevent you from setting meetings or deadlines on this date.
*Afternoons Prior to Company Holidays
If you want to enjoy the holiday, allow some cushion to take care of last-minute “asks” before your day off. The placeholders will remind you to not pack in meetings that might require you to do some work the next day, on the company holiday.
*Mornings After Company Holidays
If you know you have time set aside to catch up on voicemails and emails that landed during your company holiday, you won’t feel tempted to check email and voicemail on your day off.
*Kids’ School Holidays
If you want to enjoy some quality time with your kids and not have to worry about childcare, why not take the day off to be with them?
*Kids’ Early Release Days
Wouldn’t that be fun to be there to pick up your child and perhaps attend some activities you might otherwise miss?
*Your Desired PTO/Vacation Dates
When do you want to enjoy some vacation or staycation time? Claim those dates before your co-workers sign up for optimal spots.
*February 29
It’s Leap Day! You haven’t been gifted an extra day since 2020, and we couldn’t really do anything to celebrate it because COVID was creeping around the world and about to hit the U.S. in full strength. So, take advantage this year and do something fun!
If you use a digital calendar, you can always adjust these placeholders in the weeks leading up to them. It’s easier to modify your plans than create space when you’ve already booked out those dates with meetings, conferences, task time, project deadlines, etc.
If you utilize a paper calendar and hesitate at the thought of inking all of this, use a pencil. Or purchase some correction fluid.
By taking 15 minutes now to add one or more of these placeholders to your calendar, you’re investing in yourself, your health, and your well-being.
Happy New Year!
For a step-by-step checklist for a half-day staycation, a four-week vacation, or simply enjoying any holiday weekend, take a look at The Great Escape: A Vacation Planner for Busy People Who Want to Take a Real Break from Work & Life.
