Starting the Year on Your Terms
Jan 07, 2025
As the calendar flips to January, the world shifts into high gear. Marketing campaigns and social media feeds buzz with "New Year, New You" energy. Everyone seems to be racing toward their resolutions, gym memberships, and freshly minted planners. But what if you're not feeling it? What if, instead of sprinting into the new year, you want to stroll?
Let’s take a deep breath and talk about what it really means to start your year on your terms.
Permission to Pause
When I sat down to write the podcast for this blog post on a cold December morning, I felt it—the pressure. Almost 500 podcast episodes in, and I found myself spiraling over how this first episode of the year should set the tone. Shouldn’t it be epic? Perfect? Groundbreaking?
Instead, I’m here to tell you this: you don’t have to have it all figured out on January 1st.
Here’s the truth: My vision board isn’t finished. I haven’t picked a word for the year yet. And as I’m recording, I’m packing for a family trip to Costa Rica. Yup, I’m boarding a plane while the rest of the world is diving headfirst into their goals. Is that okay? Spoiler: it absolutely is.
Leaning Into Seasons
This past year, I embraced seasonal living—both in life and business. Fall became our season for launches. The vibrant energy and productivity that naturally come with it (thanks, Mel Robbins, for confirming this in your research) made it the perfect time to go all in.
January, though? Not my vibe. In Ohio, it’s cold, gray, and let’s be honest, a little uninspiring. After the hustle of fall and the holidays, it’s natural to feel the need for rest. Winter’s rhythm aligns with our biology. It’s a time to slow down, hibernate, and recharge before the energy of spring.
And guess what? Rest isn’t just good for your body; it’s good for your business. Studies show that regular rest improves mood, cognitive function, and even problem-solving skills. So why are we pushing ourselves to go 110% right after the most stressful time of the year?
Redefining Productivity
For the first time in my adult life, I’m starting my year differently. I took the last three weeks of December off and planned for a slower start in January. Here’s what that looks like:
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Reflecting: Conducting a look-back analysis of the previous year. (We teach this every month in our Crush the Rush Club planning parties.)
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Intentional Planning: Mapping out family goals for 2025 and working backward to create a detailed Q1 plan.
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Milestone Setting: Blocking out big events and priorities.
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Personal Growth: Thinking about what excites me personally and professionally.
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Prioritizing Fun: Allowing space for joy and inspiration because my best ideas come from moments of play.
This life-first business model—where rest and alignment are prioritized—isn’t just a concept. It’s how I’m living, awkward plane boarding and all. And it feels right.
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What If You Did the Same?
Imagine designing your business around what you truly need. What if you leaned into your natural rhythms instead of fighting against them? What if January became your time to dream, plan, and rest, so you’re ready to hit the ground running when the time feels right?
Here’s the thing: January 1st doesn’t have to be a deadline. It’s just a date on the calendar. Your year’s success isn’t defined by how you start; it’s defined by how you sustain.
So, give yourself permission to pause. Sip your hot chocolate. Sleep a little more. Recharge. And trust that when the time comes, you’ll be ready to spring into action—on your terms.
Your Year, Your Way
If you’re feeling inspired and ready to go all in this January, amazing! But if you’re not quite there yet, that’s okay too. You’re allowed to run your year differently.
So tell me, what would it look like if you designed your business to fit your life instead of the other way around? Let’s make 2025 the year we prioritize rest, joy, and alignment—starting now.
You’ve got this. And I’ll be here, cheering you on every step of the way!
About the author
Holly Haynes is a business strategist who loves a good plan and flow chart. She is crazy passionate about teaching women like you how to build your dream job and scale to 6-figures without sacrificing your weekends or priorities.
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