Practicing a Proven Process for a New Year
Every year, I start the new year the same way: reflection on the previous year, a full audit of my calendar, pondering what worked and what did not (personally and professionally). I ask myself what needs to change this year to become the man I need to be for my wife, son, business, and community. Once this is complete, I set goals based on where I want to go. Below is a more detailed explanation of what this looks like.
Reflecting on the Previous Year
Let’s start with reflecting on the previous year. While this initially sounds pretty straightforward, it is a very in-depth analysis of my life—my interactions, travels, meetings, etc. I begin with the goal of truly re-experiencing the memories and living in them, with the benefit of hindsight (i.e. 20/20 vision)- knowing how things actually played out. Would I have reacted the same way, felt the same way, or interacted the same way knowing what I now know? I jot down thoughts, notes, feelings, things that went well, things I could have done differently, and things I wish I had done differently. I usually do this while sitting outside over the Christmas holidays, without technology (oddly, pen and paper still work 🙂).
Full Calendar Audit
Next, I move to a full audit of my calendar. I go week by week, starting in January of the current year and continuing through the present moment (usually January through mid-December). My intention is to identify things—meetings, tasks, travel, etc.—that gave me energy and those that drained my energy. Did I get the most out of each interaction? Was I involved in the right meetings? Did my travel schedule align with my stated goals, and did that travel produce the expected outcome? My goal here is to figure out how to get better results while “doing less” (continuing to trade time for results will not deliver the highest Return On Investment- ROI). What can I delete or delegate for the new year, and how will I ensure that we get the best results from that delegation or deletion?
Setting SMART Goals
After the calendar audit is complete, I take my notes from the life analysis and calendar audit and ask myself, “What worked and what did not?” and “What needs to change this year?” This is where the rubber meets the road. This is the moment that you design the upcoming year with intentionality and set goals, specifically SMART goals, that drive daily decisions and lead to your intended outcome. Goals must always be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Goals that do not meet this standard are simply wishes or dreams. They rarely materialize because we didn’t care enough about them to truly map them out.
Create a Life You Love to Live
Year after year, I have been able to achieve better and better results because I am not satisfied with living the same 365 days every year. My philosophy is to intentionally grow and become the husband, father, employee, employer, and supporter I am called to be. We all have so many experiences each day—these are gifts. They help us learn and grow if we actually take the time to reflect, learn, and apply what we’ve learned. Too many people live the same day over and over again, which turns into the same year, year after year. Hopefully, 2026 is the year you refuse to let that happen. Make this the year you become a new, better version of yourself. Make this the year you stop accepting mediocrity and start expecting—and creating—a life you love to live.
– Written By Aaron Getty, President, Joe Taylor Restoration
