Dear Sunday Sparker,

 

It’s the last week of January.

 

How are your goals doing?

 

Are you in the process of planning them, or have you started working on them?

 

My goals group and I use the term “seasons” a lot, and we each defined our new year’s start based on our circumstances.

 

For example, some friends defined the start of their new year when they returned from a trip. Others defined it when their kids started school and their routines got back to a reasonable rhythm, especially bedtime.

 

My point is, if you have not started, it’s OK. You are not alone.

Set your start date. Maybe next Sunday, which also marks the beginning of a new month. You could also decide to try your new habits for a couple of weeks and add a pin to them to return to after Ramadan.

 

However, if you are still in the planning phase and there is no specific reason preventing you from starting now, other than wanting to plan some more, that’s also OK.

 

But you need to set an end date for planning.

 

Yes, just as with a start date, you need to give yourself permission to plan, but not to get stuck planning. Planning only counts if it leads to doing. And this year, we are doers.

 

For example, you can give yourself permission to plan all you want until January 31, but February 1 is when you start doing.

 

Tip: Use the planning stage to set up habit charts for you and even your kids, like my friend Nadia, who tried it with her teen and tween kids for the first time recently.

 

Let’s spend some time setting the stage for a fabulous February. Shall we?

 

I would love to hear your thoughts or any questions you may have for me.

 

Just hit reply. I answer every email.