Congratulations! You’re this close to making it through another year and starting a whole new one. Yippee!
And, if you ask me, part of what makes this time of year so exciting is the potential for positive transformation in the new year.
But guess what? True transformations don’t happen by accident. If you want an amazing 2020, you have to PLAN for an amazing 2020.
Over the past few weeks I’ve encouraged you to evaluate this past year, create your own (free—or practically free) daily planner, and now—well, now it’s time to make your big plans for 2020!
I’ve compiled a list of questions to help you get a handle on what you want to do in 2020, along with how to get you there.
I’d encourage you to really spend some time with these questions and give them some deep thought. You also don’t necessarily have to write them all out in order, but I’m going to challenge you to finish them all.
And, you may discover that as you answer some questions, your answers to others may change. Be open to the process and be willing to explore all of the possibilities that 2020 could hold.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
What do you want more of in 2020?
Here’s a short list of possible words to choose from. Feel free to add words; just be sure that they’re things you can be in control of! For example, “respect” might not work if it requires other people to respect you—you can’t control that—but “self-respect” absolutely works.
Peace
Confidence
Income
Freedom
Fulfillment
Happiness
Contentment
Creativity
Fun
Let’s start with an overview of goals in each of the key areas of your life. Be aware, though, that these might be likely to change as you do more thinking about the details!
What’s your greatest family goal for 2020?
What’s your greatest health goal for 2020?
What’s your greatest relationship goal for 2020?
What’s your greatest friendships goal for 2020?
What’s your greatest fun goal for 2020?
What’s your greatest career goal for 2020?
Since we’re pretty career-oriented around here, I’m going to give you some deep-dive questions for your career and career goals, but you’ll also find that you can adapt nearly all of these to help you think about the goals in the other areas of your life.
What are the characteristics of the kind of job you want to be doing for a living? Be thorough!
Does your current job meet those characteristics?
If not, why aren’t you doing the job you want to be doing for a living? (List out your answers)
For each, ask yourself, “How can I change this?” (Hint: “I can’t” isn’t a real answer. If you REALLY needed to, you could change anything.)
What do you need to accomplish to be doing what you want to do for a living?
What is the very first, smallest step you can take on that path?
How much do you want to be making for a living? (Not just necessarily in 2020, but as a whole.) Do you need to change your current job or add a side hustle to meet that goal?
How much money do you want to make in 2020?
Is there any ramp up time involved? (Will you need time for learning/training, building up clientele, etc?)
Minus the ramp-up time, how much will you need to make per week to meet your goal? Per hour? (It is A-OK to estimate that ramp-up time; we’re looking for estimates here.)
What do you need to know, be, do, or have to do what you want to do for a living?
What do you need to know, be, do, or have to make what you want to make this year?
Do you need to invest in yourself in order to make this happen? If so, how will you finance this? (Savings, a credit card with a plan to pay it off, a loan from a friend or family member, taking on part-time or short-term work, etc.)
Motivation is garbage – it will wane because that’s what it does. Knowing that you have to rely on action instead of motivation, what small action(s) will you take each day to move toward your goal?
What commitment(s) are you willing to make to ensure that 2020 is your best year yet?
Your daily schedule proves what you TRULY value. If necessary, what are you willing to give up to reach your goals?
What word or phrase do you want to be your theme for 2020? Why?
And there you have it! I’d love to hear what your theme will be for 2020—if you’re up for it, share it in the comments below! (Mine? It’s “uplevel”!)
Also, if becoming a professional copywriter is one of your goals—making great money as a writer, creating a career the way you want it, and working with creative, dynamic people who respect and value what you do—then you’re definitely going to want to keep your eyes on your email over the next couple of days…
Your Inspire me, Nicki! For years, I’ve wanted to become a copywriter. I just haven’t been able to tie it all together. The more I read, the more confused I got. I feel your course really breaks everything down and it’s really structured like
a conventional class room setting. It’s what I desperately need for accountability and to move forward!
I can Identify with how you explained how other courses can really miss the mark. I’ve invested in AWA’s accelerated copywriter ( which, I believe,,was the course you making fun of. Lol) I also purchased a course solely learning to win job bids on Upwork. The former
Course had great training on how to develop your writing skills. However, if you wanted to do more than direct mail writing you had to buy Additional courses. Plus, their tips on how to land jobs seemed impossible to actually work. The latter course was excellent training. Unfortunately, I decided that I don’t want to limit myself and rely solely on a bidding site for income.
I’m currently on dialysis, due to kidney failure. I think copywriting would be a great career for someone in my condition. The flexibility would be great, so I could make all doctor
appointments. Plus, the work is not strenuous. That is important, in order for my home dialysis to function properly.
My main concern is that it’s crucial that I health insurance. If I go the freelance route, I’ll have to
Purchase my own Insurance. Just starting out, that would not work for me. Possiibly, I could work a part time job( like Starbucks)with just enough hours to be eligible for benefits. Or, maybe secure a job at an agency, where I Could write for them “virtually” and still receive benefits. This is something I really need to figure out.
I look forward to the day that I can say “I’m a writer”. Once I start feeling better, I can follow through with this course. Thanks for allowing me to dream again. It’s been a rough year, but you have given me hope that I can still realize a happy and productive future!
Regards, Neil Sullivan
Hi Neil,
I’m so glad you’re inspired to keep moving forward! Health insurance can be a bit of a challenge if they’re going to be especially expensive, but it also sounds like you have a few viable options in mind. Also, as you start to land clients, you can start to calculate how many clients/projects you need to take on to cover your own health insurance so you have the details for all possible avenues.
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Nicki –
I’ve only just signed up for the video training, and feel the need to thank you already, (before Minute 1 of any actual instruction or resourcing) just simply for the exciting potential you’ve just breathed into my soul.
Many, many thanks!
– Bethany
Hi Bethany,
Thanks so much – and I’m so glad you’ve found the video valuable! There really is so much potential in this career, and I’m glad I’ve been able to inspire you a bit. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
I loved the question: “If not, why aren’t you doing the job you want to be doing for a living?”
The answer is that I haven’t put in the effort to build the skills to the build the confidence to go out and find that job.
Clarity is amazing. Thanks Nicki!
Hi Alex,
Good for you for being really honest and holding yourself accountable. So many people aren’t willing to take personal responsibility! That trait is going to take you far. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
I just finished my questions and really pouring my heart into them. My previous years phrase was “Shine On” because me and the kids had so much to overcome.
This year, my new phrase is coming from a coffee mug that a NEW friend gave me for Christmas. She said she immediately thought of me and it does epitomize my attitude during this phase of my life.
“Get after it.”
Hi Beth,
Oh, I LOVE that! What a great theme for 2020! And how fabulous that a *new* friend gave it to you–that seems very telling of what you’re putting out into the world. Get after it!! <3
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
My word will be BALANCE. I have had a life-long tendency to put the majority of my time and energy into education and work. That changed in 2013 (when I was 49) due to a major health crisis. After some time off all work, I started a major creative work project in 2014 that was not financially successful. I started a whole new career in 2015 which resulted in my bouncing back and forth between over-working for a few months and then being sick and/or injured and having to be off work again. I am going to have to learn how to work effectively and gently to produce work that benefits myself and others. I want one of those benefits to be BALANCED income that allows me to live a healthy, moderately comfortable life, take time off, save money, and donate to others. I need a BALANCE of work and fun in my new freelance business so that I don’t fall back into overwork and overwhelm. Finally, I need to BALANCE quality time for my loved ones with setting limits with them when I need to work and have quiet alone time.
Hi Susan,
That’s a great word choice! I love how it’s applicable to all areas of your life. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Nicki,
I purchased your course back in January, raging to go with all the gusto possible. But you know what, (and just like you said), motivation waned and was completely garbage.
I am also programmed with my payroll/accounting career, thinking that is all I have to offer, when in fact, I have been writing for years on the internet.
My dream had always been to write. At first it was a novel, then my autobiography, (I’ve had quite the life so far!) When I saw your video it just spoke to me on so many levels, and now since this COVID-19 happened I can finally focus on my dream because I probably won’t be able to go back to work till at least September..
Do you think it’s possible to jumpstart this new bold move and finish your training in a month?
I’m really serious about it this time, especially after answering your questions on this post for myself.
Ethlyn
Hi Ethlyn,
I wouldn’t think of it in terms of “finishing” the training – first, because you don’t need to be done with the training to start earning income! And second, because the Foundations training is just the tip of the iceberg; we have 15+ trainings beyond that. And, because it’s a career like any other, you never want to be “done learning.” So, can you start earning income in a month? Absolutely – but you also have to be focused, consistent and persistent about taking action and doing the work, and willing to take action even when you feel nervous or when that capital-R resistance starts rearing its head. Good for you for restarting! Be sure to comment in the Facebook group so that your fellow students can cheer you on. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki