At this point, it’s safe to say that 2020 has been one of the most outlandish years ever.
With defining moments happening damn near every month, it’s felt like the paradigm-shift has been neverending. And alongside dealing with a raging pandemic, the death of Kobe Bryant, waves of social change, and that whole Presidential situation— some of us STILL had to deal with another obstacle, entrepreneurship.
To say that these moments have had a devastating impact on the entrepreneurial and creative community would be an understatement. From business closures to creative blocks, this year has indelibly affected our motivation, mental health, and well-being. To the point that some of us don’t even know where to begin in looking towards the future. If you find yourself in this space, here are five ways to start to prepare your mind, body, and spirit for the year ahead.
Review the lessons from this year
Though riddled with foolishness, 2020 has also had its golden moments. If nothing else, this year has challenged our creativity and resourcefulness like never before. In what year’s past have you had to figure out how to deal with staying creative, innovative, all while dealing with the threat of life without toilet paper?
Take inventory of the year, and take note of the lessons and moments you’ve learned. Was there something you did that you can tuck away for the next rough patch you hit? What about an idea that you had to sit on the back burner for the year? Could you revisit it for next year? Whatever it is, make a list and begin to write the vision towards a better 2021.
Learn something new
The one thing that life, and 2020, continues to teach us is that “these skills ain’t loyal.”
When preparing for the new year, begin to think of ways to branch out and learn something new that could take you and your business to the next level. Online courses, Skillshare classes, books, and even video games are a great way to expand your critical thinking and breadth of knowledge. Plow through them in your spare time, and gain new insight on how to approach things in 2021!
Assess your business health
This one is clutch, primarily if you’ve found that you haven’t been as involved with your business this year as you have before.
Take a look at your overall business, and begin to assess what needs some special attention. Does the information on your website need to be updated? What are your financial goals for next year? Do you have a content calendar to help plan your social media? What are your plans for email marketing? Approach the year (and your business) with fresh energy by assessing, and addressing, your business health.
Create a daily schedule
Having a daily routine is beneficial for productivity and overall wellness. It allows us to unlock our ability to be happy and useful, every day and in every way. Doing so also helps you enter the new year with a fresh mind, while opening yourself to new opportunities and possibilities.
Although there is no “one-size-fits-all” way to create a schedule, the daily plans of some of our favorite entrepreneurs, creatives, and thought leaders include:
- Get a decent amount of sleep
- Read things that are interesting to you
- Try to break a sweat daily
- Spend time with people you love
- And when you need to kick into gear, there’s nothing that a good cup of coffee (or an ice plunge) can’t help with.
Create a vision board
Vision boards are not new, however, they are still a primary key in the manifestation of your goals.
It’s not only dope to see all of your goals creatively, but it’s also one of the best ways to put the Law of Attraction into practice. It’s more than cutting out pictures and building collages. It’s about putting affirmations in motion. Not into the traditional way of doing boards? Create a digital one.
Bonus Tip: PUT YOUR GAME FACE ON
2020 may have been the best or worse year of your life, but you’re here. You survived and thrived, and you’ll do the same in 2021, 2022, and every other year that you continue to show up as your highest, dopest self.
Keep pushing forward, and allowing your dreams to serve as the compass that brings you back to where you’re supposed to be.
