The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms

33. Long-Term Planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans

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Dec 11, 2023

Explore the benefits of setting goals at a different time of year, perspectives on long-term planning, setting goals based on personal desires, choosing one goal at a time, and the introduction of an eight-week time management program.

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ADVICE

Pick The Right Time For Goals

Don't feel obligated to set goals in January; pick a time that fits your energy and life rhythm instead.
If you prefer, delay goal-setting until a season (like fall) when you can build momentum and clarity.

ANECDOTE

Why Kelly Prefers Fall Planning

Kelly Nolan shares that after having kids, January felt unsuitable for starting new goals due to holidays and illnesses.
She now prefers an academic-year rhythm and often plans in fall when she feels motivated.

INSIGHT

Resting Can Be A Valid Goal

Kelly Nolan rejects constant self-improvement as a measure of worth and endorses rest and appreciation as valid goals.
Choosing to 'be still' can be an intentional, valuable seasonal focus rather than a failure to progress.

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Whether you want to decide some long-term plans now or NOT, this episode is for you.

You can download the accompanying guide (including more examples than I shared in the episode) here.

In this episode, I walk through how I approach long-term planning and goal setting in a realistic, pressure-free way. I don't believe every woman has to be constantly striving to improve—and that can make traditional New Year's resolutions feel out of step with real life.

So I share:

Why January might not be the best time to set goals (and what to try instead)
The three caveats I want you to keep in mind before diving into goal setting
Why I believe not having goals is totally okay
How asking "how do I want my life to feel?" can ground your planning in what truly matters
What it looks like to brainstorm from that place and identify just one goal to focus on
How to use your calendar (in a Bright Method way!) to bring that goal to life
How to assess unexpected opportunities as they pop up throughout the year—through the lens of how you want your life to feel

Whether your goal is tangible and action-oriented (like training for a race) or more internal (like drinking less or listening more), I walk through how to make it actionable with your calendar—and, more importantly, how to adjust and not overcommit. Because even if you're not "doing" a big thing, you're still doing a lot. Let's give that credit—and get realistic about what one more thing would actually take.

I also mention:

Episode 25 of this podcast, "Current reality first – and then add in the aspirational change,"
Podcast episodes from Goli's Lessons from a Quitter podcast:
- "Picking Your One Goal" (Apple; Spotify)
- "Replay: Side Effect of Going After Your Goal" (Apple; Spotify)
Bonus tool (not mentioned in episode) for long-term planning: this blog article

Links you might enjoy:

🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm.

📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time.

✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun, check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.