“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra.
Most of us spend minutes planning for years. As a result, we find ourselves making decisions in the throes of emotion and crisis.
But what if you could spend quality time making quality decisions about the next 12 months? Would it change your life if you made decisions today about next Christmas (2024), next summer’s vacation, or even next year’s major life issues? Would it lower your stress to be better prepared for financial decisions?
Of course, it would. So here are some options for preparing for the new year before it even arrives.
First, re-read last week’s newsletter with some of the leading items to prepare for.
Then, choose one of the following strategies to plan your planning time. We’re all busy and have different levels of busyness (e.g., kids, job/career, church activities, health restraints, family matters), but there’s something here for everyone.
Your success is determined by how well you think. Plan today and play more in ’24. 
If you make big plans for 2024 now, you can develop small steps to get there. But unless you make a commitment, you’ll languish like more than 80% of Americans who make resolutions and never follow through.
✓ OPTION 1. Plan a full-fledged retreat. Rent an Airbnb or other getaway for 2-3 days. Both spouses should be on board. If you’re single, it would be best to bring an accountability partner who is like-minded and like-valued to help you plan your year. If you can plan 3-4 days, you may want to do a day apart, praying and thinking, then come together to compare notes and build your goals.
✓ OP
TION 2. Get away for a full day. Leave your house or apartment. Find a place where you can spend quiet time. Check to see if your church has a private room where you can meet or maybe rent a hotel meeting room. Some hotels are very reasonable. They’ll also likely have a whiteboard and a place where you can spread out your notebooks and papers.
✓ OPTION 3. Plan a day at home if you can not get away, but set sharp boundaries. Let friends and family know you aren’t available, do chores before, and don’t make exceptions. Make arrangements for kids and pets. Grandparents, friends, or other relatives are great places to consider.
Make the time now, or be forced to take the time in ’24.
So what to do at this time? You’ll want to focus on significant things for 2024. Get the big items out of the way first, and then you can address the smaller ones more easily.
To prime the pump for you, here are some high-level questions that you may want to ask. If you are married, you should have three answers — one for each of you and one for you as a couple if you are married. Remember, when answering these questions, answer them for yourself first. What do you want to accomplish in this area — not something for your kids/parents, spouse, boss, or pastor?
- What is my/our #1 financial goal?
- What is my/our #1 health goal?
- What is my/our #1 relationship(s) goal?
- What is my/our #1 spiritual or emotional well-being goal?
- What is my/our #1 career or business goal?
Next month, we’ll have an outline to use for your getaway, but the first step is to plan your planning session. (If you would like to receive this outline, reply to this email and let us know.) Remember, it’s not how long you spend, so pick from one of the options above. The key is to set the dates and create the boundaries to make it a meaningful time.
Can you set the date and time for your getaway this week?
What’s holding you back from making this a priority?
– Richard Cushing.
Donald and I are going to follow your advice and plan for 2024.
Thank you. !!!!!!
Sheryl and I are definitely going to do this.