gearing up to reflect for the new year

Thanksgiving is in the bag (or belly) and it’s time to open the planner to December and close out 2025…. which (not to stress you out) means I’m starting to think about 2026.

I’m trying this year to be more intentional about setting goals for the coming year. 

I had the most fascinating conversation with a friend over Thanksgiving, where he gave me insight into his goal planning process for the coming year. 

He was showing me his planner (paper planner!!) and a goal doc. He sets metrics for the number of days he wants to spend with specific family members and friends, as well as places he wants to travel to and visit. 

At the core is having data to see did he actually prioritize the people and places he wants in his life.

Earlier this fall, while I was teaching a bike class, I learned what motivated a student to come out and get in the saddle was she had created a New Years Resolution Bingo Card with goals big and small. She created her own New Years Resolution Bingo Card and asked a friend to do one too. While their goals (items on the bingo card) were hand selected for themselves, there was some competition on the line. This aspiring biker was eager to win Bingo and cross off “learn to ride a bike.” 

At the core is dreaming big and courageously trying out the experiences she wants to say yes to. And she knew by having a friend to witness her goals and have some competition with, it was more likely she’d stretch herself.

I love getting a slice into other people’s habits, systems and processes of life. Why not piggyback off something that might be working for others that might vibe for me? 

There’s some time until we ring in the  New Year, but I’m thinking about how I can revitalize my reflection and goal setting in the coming year. 

So I’d love to hear from you: 

• What processes/reflection do you invite in during the end of the year? 

• What hasn’t worked for you in the past and what could have been tweaked to make it work for you? 

• How do you create goals or resolutions that are meaningful and perhaps a stretch (but also realistic)? 

Drop me a line at [email protected]. I’ll be skipping the newsletter next week, but I’ll share your insights with the community on December 15th. 

Wheels up, 

Ellen