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It’s Never Too Early: How to Plan for Next Year NOW Without Getting Overwhelmed

It’s that time of year when so many of us feel the weight of wrapping up everything-from work projects to holiday shopping, school commitments, and those personal goals we swore we’d hit before December 31st. It’s a lot. And while it’s tempting to put off planning for next year until January-or even later-there’s something incredibly powerful about starting early.

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How are you feeling as we near the end of the year? Excited? A little frazzled? Maybe a mix of both? So not ready to plan for your year?

It’s that time when so many of us feel the weight of wrapping up everything—from work projects to holiday shopping, school commitments, and those personal goals we swore we’d hit before December 31st. I see you, and I get it. It’s a lot.

And that’s exactly why I want to have this conversation with you today. Because while it’s tempting to put off planning for next year until January—or even later—there’s something incredibly powerful about starting early.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I know the idea of planning for 2025 might sound a little overwhelming right now. After all, how can you think about next year when you’re still trying to survive this one? But here’s the thing: Planning ahead doesn’t have to feel heavy or stressful. In fact, starting early can help you feel lighter and more in control of what’s coming.

This episode is all about helping you take that first step toward planning for 2025 in a way that feels simple, doable, and even kind of exciting. Because let’s face it—when you’re juggling work, family, and everything else life throws your way, waiting until the last minute to figure things out just isn’t the vibe.

So grab your coffee, your tea, or whatever keeps you going these days, and let’s dive in. You’ve got this, and I’m here to help every step of the way.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about:

• Why planning early changes everything—and it’s not just about getting organized.
• How to ditch overwhelm and make planning simple and stress-free.
• A 3-step process for 2025 success you can start today.
• The power of reflection, vision, and priorities to create a year that works for you.

Why Plan for Your Year Early

Early planning also helps you create a long-term vision. Instead of reacting to life as it comes at you—running from one thing to the next—you’re able to step back and think about the big picture. What do you want out of next year? How do you want to feel? What goals are most important to you? Having that clarity gives you direction, so when opportunities or challenges come your way, you’ll know how to respond in a way that aligns with your values.

And let me be clear: early planning doesn’t mean committing to a rigid schedule or having everything figured out. Life happens, and plans change—that’s normal. But starting early gives you a foundation to work from. It’s like having a map: even if you need to take a detour, you still know where you’re headed.

Why Define Your Goals for 2025 Now

Here’s an example: Let’s say you know that in 2025, you want to focus on improving your work-life balance. If you plan early, you can start identifying what that looks like for you—maybe it’s fewer late nights at the office, more family dinners, or scheduling time for self-care. Whatever it is, you can start laying the groundwork now. Then, if life throws a curveball—like a busy season at work—you’ll already have a framework in place to help you make adjustments without losing sight of your priorities.

I’ll share a quick story: My friend Emily is a busy mom of two, and last year, she decided to start her yearly planning in October. At first, she felt kind of silly—like, “Do I really need to think about next year this early?” But as the holiday season got busier and life started throwing her curveballs, she realized how much lighter she felt because she’d already done the hard part: figuring out what mattered most. She wasn’t scrambling to make decisions because she already had a clear sense of where she wanted to go.

That’s the beauty of early planning. It doesn’t just help you stay organized—it helps you feel more grounded, more intentional, and more in control of your time. And who doesn’t need a little more of that?

So, if you’re feeling hesitant about planning for 2025, remember this: it’s not about having every detail figured out right now. It’s about giving yourself the time and space to dream, to reflect, and to create a vision for the year ahead. You don’t need a perfect plan—just a starting point.

How to Plan Your Year Now

Now that we’ve covered the why, let’s talk about the how. Coming up next, I’ll share some practical strategies to tackle your 2025 planning without feeling completely overwhelmed. Stay with me!

Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: planning an entire year can feel completely overwhelming. I mean, where do you even start? How do you make sure you’re not just adding more to your already-packed plate?

First of all, let me say this—you’re not alone in feeling that way. It’s totally normal to feel a bit daunted by the idea of planning for a whole year, especially when you’re juggling work, family, and everything in between. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure everything out at once. In fact, the secret to successful planning is to take it one small step at a time.

Break Down Your Planning

Let me share a strategy that works wonders: break it down. Instead of trying to tackle all 12 months of 2025 in one go, start by dividing your year into smaller, more manageable chunks. Think about it in terms of seasons or quarters—January to March, April to June, and so on. By narrowing your focus to just three months at a time, planning becomes a lot less intimidating.

And within those chunks, focus on just a few key areas of your life. Here are four to consider:

Personal: What’s something you want to do for your physical or mental well-being? Maybe it’s a fitness goal, scheduling regular downtime, or developing a mindfulness habit.

Professional: Is there a career goal you want to achieve? Perhaps it’s a promotion, completing a course, or setting boundaries to create a better work-life balance.

Financial: What’s a financial milestone you want to hit? This could be saving for a family vacation, paying off debt, or building a rainy-day fund.

Fun: What’s something purely for you? Maybe it’s finally planning that girls’ trip, exploring a new hobby, or spending more time doing the things that make you happiest.

By choosing just one or two priorities in each area, you’re not spreading yourself too thin—and that’s the key to avoiding burnout.

Focus on Progress Over Perfection

Another way to keep overwhelm at bay is to focus on progress over perfection. Let’s be real: no plan is ever going to be perfect. Life happens. Schedules shift. Goals evolve. And that’s okay! Your plan isn’t set in stone—it’s a starting point, a roadmap that can guide you while still leaving room for detours.

Here’s a tip: think of your plan as a draft, not a finished product. You can—and should—make edits along the way. What matters most is that you’re taking steps toward what’s important to you.

Now, let’s talk about tools. If you’re someone who loves a good planner or color-coded calendar, go for it! But if that feels overwhelming or unnecessary, don’t worry—you don’t need fancy tools to start planning. A simple notebook, a wall calendar, or even the notes app on your phone works just fine. The goal is to keep it simple and do what works best for you.

And if you’re still not sure where to start, here’s a quick and easy exercise: take five minutes—yes, just five—and write down three things you’d love to accomplish in 2025. Don’t overthink it. These could be personal, professional, financial, or just plain fun. This simple exercise can help you start clarifying your vision without feeling like you have to plan the entire year all at once.

Take it Slow to Plan Your Year

Here’s one last thing to keep in mind: planning doesn’t have to happen in a day. Give yourself permission to take it slow. Block out 15-30 minutes a week to think through your plans. Maybe it’s during your Sunday reset, during nap time, or while sipping your morning coffee. Whatever works for you!

The point is, every small step you take is a step in the right direction. You’re not just planning for 2025—you’re creating space for the things that matter most to you.

Look Back, Look Around, Look Ahead: My 3-Step Process to Plan Your Year

Coming up next, I’ll share a step-by-step approach to start planning your 2025 in a way that feels intentional and doable. We’re going to focus on reflection, vision, and priorities—three simple steps that will set you up for success. Let’s do this!

Now that we’ve talked about why early planning is so powerful and how to avoid feeling overwhelmed, let’s dive into the heart of the process. I call it Look Back, Look Around, and Look Ahead. This simple, three-step approach helps you reflect on the past, take stock of the present, and dream big for the future—all without feeling like you have to plan everything at once.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Look Back

Before you can plan for the year ahead, it’s important to reflect on the one you’ve just lived. Taking a moment to look back helps you celebrate your wins, learn from your experiences, and set a foundation for what comes next.

Here are a few questions to guide your reflection:

• What went well? Think about the highlights—what worked for you this year?
• What didn’t? Be honest with yourself about the things that felt challenging or out of alignment.
• What wins am I celebrating? Don’t overlook the small victories—they’re just as important as the big ones!
• What lessons did I learn? Consider what this year has taught you about yourself, your priorities, and your time.

Write down your answers in a notebook, journal, or even on your phone. The key here is to approach this reflection with curiosity, not judgment. It’s not about what you “should” have done—it’s about gaining clarity on what’s worked and what hasn’t so you can move forward with intention.

Step 2: Look Around

Next, it’s time to take stock of the present moment—to look around at your life as it is right now. This step is all about grounding yourself in the here and now so you have a clear starting point for your 2025 plans.

Ask yourself:

• What does my life look like right now?
• Take inventory of the different areas of your life—personal, professional, financial, and fun. What’s going well, and what feels out of balance?
• For example, maybe your career is thriving, but your personal life feels a bit neglected. Or perhaps you’re in a good financial spot, but you haven’t made enough time for the things you truly enjoy.

This is your opportunity to assess where you are and what feels most important in this moment. Think of it like checking your GPS—you can’t plan your route until you know where you’re starting from.

Step 3: Look Ahead

Now comes the fun part—looking ahead and dreaming about what you want your 2025 to look like. This step is about creating a vision for the year ahead that aligns with your values, your priorities, and the kind of life you want to live.

Start by asking yourself:

• What do I want my life to feel like by the end of 2025?
• What would I love to accomplish—personally, professionally, financially, and just for fun?
• What’s one big dream I’ve been putting off that I’d love to pursue?
• Here’s a simple prompt to guide your vision:
• “At the end of 2025, I want to feel ______ because I accomplished ______.”

For example:

“At the end of 2025, I want to feel fulfilled because I spent more time doing things I love, like traveling and trying new hobbies.”

Or, “I want to feel proud because I took a leap and started the side hustle I’ve been dreaming about.”

This step is about dreaming big without worrying about the details just yet. Let yourself explore what’s possible—you can always refine your goals later.

Bonus: Tie It All Together

When you combine Look Back, Look Around, and Look Ahead, you’re creating a holistic view of your life. You’re celebrating your wins, learning from your challenges, grounding yourself in the present, and setting a vision for the future. It’s not about creating a perfect plan—it’s about building a meaningful one.

To make this process even easier, set aside 15-30 minutes this week to work through each step. Light a candle, grab your favorite drink, or play some music—make it a moment of self-care.

Take a deep breath and remember: you’re already doing the work. You’re investing in your future self, and that’s something to celebrate.

Resources Mentioned:

• FREEBIE: 250 Inspired Goal Ideas for 2025
• Grab your 2025 Big Picture Year Calendar
• Ready, Set. GOALS: a 3-day live goal setting workshop to have your most exciting, intentional year yet

Related Episodes:

• The 5 Mental Blocks Holding You Back and How to Fix Them
• Steering Clear of Setbacks: 5 Sneaky Goal Setting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Stuck in a Rut? 3 Essential Steps to Get Unstuck and Feel Motivated Again