Recently on Linkedin, I asked, “What tools and resources do you use to prepare your 2016 goals and actions?” I was looking for ideas and resources that I could share with my community of women! Thanks for all your responses, ladies!
30 Women Share How They Prepare For The New Year

Ava Marie Carmichael Hi Anna! I start simple with pen and paper and write down my years’ ‘Goals To Achieve’ list. I usually keep this in a place where I can refer back to it, such as on my pinboard or desk. I also create and maintain a calendar for myself with reminders, objectives, goals, and deadlines. I use Google for my calendar, and it pops up and sends me email reminders when I have a newsletter to write, a product sample that is due to arrive or a tradeshow that’s coming up. For example, I write a fashion blog as a hobby, so I create my editorial calendar for specific posts to coincide with the holidays, events, or seasons. In assisting my sister with her yoga retreats, Asana and Planning Pod seem to be great tools.

Anne Kleinman I use Asana to plan internal tasks, Salesforce to work and plan prospecting, lead gen, and follow up tasks and the for goals and how I plan to reach those goals – literally down to how many phone calls I need to make in a given day – I use paper and pen. As Barbara Kessler said to me yesterday – “You can’t think without ink”

Sharron Williams, BSN,RN,DCI,LNC I create a 1-Day Mini-Retreat. Then I create a 1-2 page Business Plan. I write out my goals then how I plan to achieve those goals. Because I am a very visual person, I like to use a lot of color. I highlight, and doodle on my business plan with colors that will draw my eyes to my goals and plans. Love it!

Queen E. Joseph I use a pen and paper to write down goals and ideas. I also use Evernote.

Svetlana Kurilova 1) goodreads.com for tracking my reading, 2) phone version (and physical version) of planner (recommend Chalene Johnson on goal setting in her book “Push” or in a audio program “Car Smart”), 3) myIDP is absolutely great for goals and actions and it is free (IDP=individual development plan), it also helps to find your strengths and weaknesses through assessments, 4) online classes on development/coaching, again a lot of them are free, 5) a lot of reading, I truly believe whatever challenge we have in life someone already faced long time ago and came up with solution, and talked/wrote about it =)

Sue Koch I developed what I call a “reflections exercise” I use every year to take a look at what worked and what didn’t work over the past year. It’s a series of questions.

I keep my answers from year to year so that I can identify patterns I may not have seen otherwise. I now share the Reflections Exercise with my clients who also find it valuable.

From there, I pick a theme for the year and then write a vision statement that aligns with the theme. I know I’ve “nailed it” when I get excited. Goals and actions fall out naturally from there.

Tatia Gordon-Troy, Esq. I begin with a notepad and pen or the notes app on my iPhone. I jot down random thoughts before I forget. I use an Excel spreadsheet to track revenue and expenditures, and I review them to decide the best course moving forward.

Laurie Maxson I am doing something different this year. I purchased a new planner has that most of what I want all in one. It’s called the Inner Guide and so far I LOVE IT.

Laurie Lane Goldberg, MA, MS Journals, emails to myself and others, letters, and chats with wise folks.

Lisa Bartolotta I start with a major goal, then list sub-goals and end with an objective. Then I ask myself how am I going to accomplish this and how long will it take and how much money in sales is needed to achieve this? How many more customers will I need? Then I edit my strategy accordingly.

Olivia Brooks-Scrivanich Hire a virtual assistant.

Deborah Prestianni, B.A. M.A. Since finding it over a decade ago, the Covey time management system is my go-to for goal planning and daily time management. There are several excellent books by Covey (even one for teens!).
I value the idea that each day you owe yourself a little time for Planning & Solitude (P&S) when you can see where you are and where you are headed!

Karren Edwards The best way to be good, in time management, is to have a yearly schedule that is flexible. I plan projects and groups according to my yearly planning schedule then plug in activities that present themselves. That is how I am able to perform multiple tasks at the same time. Also, utilizing outside agencies and resources to cover tasks/events while attending or documenting activities. The key is starting early so work won’t overwhelm you later.

Adalia John The first step is to determine one’s immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. Accomplishing your immediate goals opens the door to achieving your other goals. It’s important to write down your goals and the steps to achieve this goal. Stay laser focused in spite of setbacks. You’ll gain more momentum if you focus on three projects at a time: 3 marketing strategies, 3 big ideas, 3 networking events and 3 tasks each day to accomplish a specific goal. Momentum brings faster results.

Samantha A. Gregory I created a 30-day blueprint for my relationship coaching clients. It is a done-for-you printable calendar they can use to jump start their goal of attracting a quality man by preparing themselves for what they want. So I guess it goes a step further than a list and/or a vision board. A similar tool can be used for business, career, or other areas of your life. I’m happy to send to anyone that’s looking for inspiration.

Sarah Groh Correa I make notes in a book as I read and allow ideas to form and sift down. I tend to retain only the best ideas for my biz for this very moment.
Then I get a huge piece of white paper and colored pencils – and chart it out!!

Kristi Dosh The biggest thing I do every year that puts me in the right mindset to rock the new year is to actually look back at the year that’s ending. We all get so caught up in what we didn’t do or what we need to do better or different in the coming year that we forget to take stock of all we DID accomplish over the past year. I sit down and make a list of every little thing I accomplished. It’s AMAZING how much it changes my mindset (in an incredibly positive way). That lets me go into the new year with a huge sense of confidence and positive momentum.

Karen Southall Watts I create a master document (sometimes a spreadsheet, sometimes a more free form mind map) for the year. Still using a paper calendar for scheduling and colored pens. Also reading Claire Cook’s new book right now “Shine On” that includes some super-simplified methods based on lists and journaling, but haven’t added all of those yet. Creating a Time Management course through Thinkific online. I train on this topic all the time, and as usual every time I teach I learn something new.

Dr. Joyce Knudsen, (Ph.D.) Constant Contact is my new friend for announcements, newsletters, blogs. It’s a godsend.

Roxanne Kichar, Senior Consultant I work with my Buddy Coach to set goals and work on our personal barriers. We coach each other weekly. It has been a huge success for both personal areas and work. We are exploring the Lululemon vision 10-year planning model that all employees do….it’s impressive.

Theresa Pye I have been reading Brain Tracy’s “Goals!” book. I am looking for ways to organize goalsetting. Are there any free apps?

Kate Beeders This is the most unusual planner I have ever used.
In the past, it was always a traditional style with mapping things out. This time, I’m using lots of colored markers and stickers, and the little kid in me is having a blast!
It’s cool is that I’ve already started implementing certain things…cleaning off my desk at the end of the day and others. Excited to watch my journey this year.

Katisha Kersey I’very been using The Passion Planner for a few years now. Goal keeper, journal, calendar, planner all in one. I also review the previous year’s finance spreadsheet as a starting point for the next year. I allocate more for spending, new trips etc and adjust accordingly. But all of this starts with sincere reflection FIRST.

Kimberly Vertrees I review my goals for the past year and then come with new ones which I review with my supervisor and we work together to achieve them!

Donna Fillweber David Byrd achievement planner! We all use it and are personally mentored by him as leaders! Gotta love the personal growth encouraged here!

Danette Layne Love this question. Years ago I got tired of the “move it over to next year’s vision poster” experience & the crappy “I didn’t make that happen” kind of feeling. I began to research and use different tools from “Get Things Done” by D. Allen, Astrology, Project Mgt. & Desire Map Planner by Danielle Laporte. I created detailed lists, used visualization (the FASTEST way to get anything you want), and chased many external goals. Learned: chasing things w/o realizing their sacred connection to self & loving yourself, doing what you are crazy about, is futile. I’m creating resources to connect divine, sacred stuff with practical, get-it-done results. I’ve learned you need both.

Marianne DeLaTorre I’m pushing my program that helps with mental illness with music. I see this professional women org. as a wonderful networking place that I didn’t have before. I know I will be able to learn, make new good contacts. So I plan on using this org a great deal. I also use contemplation and prayer to help me make the right decision. That is key.

Carrie Phalen-Riccardi I remember reading,”If you look at a picture of something that you want or a goal a take a few minutes each day and meditate on it and within five years it will be yours!”

Kelsey Stone I’ve been using a planner since the ones my high school gave students in an attempt to help them start planning. Last year was the first year I used a goal based and mental/spiritual wellness emphasis. In the past I’ve thought business and emotional or “spiritual” (whatever that means to you) belonged elsewhere. This has been so helpful, every day I get my work done and I started getting more things checked off the eternal to-do list at home. I got it in July, so I’m hoping this year will be even better for my success and less on the stress.

What tools and resources do you use to prepare your 2016 goals and actions?