Happy New Year! Now that 2016 is in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to buckle down and harness all the excitement the new year brings.
I usually do this in December, but somehow last month got away from me. Maybe you’re in the same boat? It’s okay – it’s still January – plenty of time to catch up!
So, if you haven’t already, sit down and focus on what you want to achieve this year. Here are the steps I use:
1. Celebrate and Let Go
Think about last year and list your successes and challenges. Acknowledge what went well, and celebrate those successes. Realize where you need to regroup, and make peace with your mistakes. Then, as the song says, let it goooo!
2. Clarify Your Goals
What would you love to check off your list this year? Do you want to get signed with an awesome agent, book a national commercial, or play your dream role in an award-winning regional theatre? Get specific and write it down.
3. Create a Game Plan
Think about what actions you could take to get closer to your goal. Here are some ideas to get you started:
– Reach out to friends to ask for agent referrals
– Brush up on your commercial technique
– Build relationships with regional theatre directors
4. Schedule Your Actions
Using your game plan, break the actions down into steps. Then make sure you’re doing at least one step every day to move you closer to your goal. This one is big for me – I always add the actions to my calendar as a reminder.
5. Check In and Re-Focus
Add a reminder to check in with yourself regularly – maybe every other month or every quarter. Have you been taking action? How do you feel about your progress? Adjust your game plan as needed.
Now it’s your turn. What steps do you take to get you motivated for the new year? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.