A Very Special Episode: Welcome to 2025 (The Annual Preview)

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!

Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfuture

As we step into a new year, I wanted to dedicate this episode to setting the stage for 2025. In this special solo episode, originally recorded as a livestream, I share thoughts on how to start your year (or any time) with intention and focus. Whether you’re tuning in on January 1st or any other day of the year, the concepts discussed are timeless and actionable.

In this episode, I explore the idea that you can begin your "new year" whenever you choose. January, often seen as a time for new beginnings, can also be a month for reflection and recalibration. From journaling practices to forgoing an annual review for an annual "preview" instead, I cover strategies to help you create a roadmap that aligns with your values and goals.

Key Discussion Points

• Why you don’t need to start your year on January 1st (and when I prefer to begin mine).
• Viewing January as a month for reflection and attunement rather than action.
• The power of journaling and how it helps uncover patterns and set intentions.
• Breaking free from recency bias with tools like annual previews.
• The concept of letting go: projects, habits, or goals that no longer serve you.
• Using theming and attention paths to simplify focus for your year ahead.
• Introducing 25 in 25 – a year-long challenge that you can be part of for FREE.

As you embark on a new year, remember that being productive is about aligning your actions with your intentions. It’s not about doing more but about being deliberate with your time.

Links Worth Exploring

• Join the FREE 25 in 25 challenge
• Sign up for The READY Retreat (Use code 24225 to get access for just $25 until January 3rd, 2025)
• Get the TimeCrafting Calendar
• Listen to my conversation with James Clear
• Listen to my conversation with Dave Radparvar of Reflection.app
• David Seah's Groundhog Day Resolutions (thanks, Jackie!)
• Here's the Groundhog Day reports David's made over the years (somewhat updated)
• Listen to my conversation with Dr. Michael Breus
• What Is "Spoon Theory"? And Why Is It Important?

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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