🎯 Stop Planning Your Goals Like An Amateur

🎯 The Ultimate Guide to Goal Setting (And Why You Need to Start Now)

Hey Gang!

Sitting in my apartment in NYC, coffee in hand, watching the city lights flicker across the skyline. It's got me thinking...

You know what most people do? They wait until January 1st, hungover and groggy, to start thinking about their goals for the year.

That's like showing up to a race just as the gun goes off - no warm-up, no game plan, shoes barely tied.

We're gonna be smarter than that.

The Art of Strategic Goal Setting

Real talk? When I first started, I was winging it hard. My "goals" were about as solid as a pizza box in the rain.

"Make more money." "Grow the business." "Work harder."

Sound familiar?

Then I learned something that changed everything: The power of cascading goals.

Breaking it Down: The Goal Pyramid

Here's how I think about it now (and trust me, this works):

Yearly Goals: This is your North Star. The big, scary dream that makes your stomach do a little flip when you think about it. Not some weak "I want to make more money" stuff. I'm talking "I'm going to 10x my business and help 100,000 people" level goals.

Quarterly Goals: Think of these as your checkpoints. Each one gets you roughly 25% closer to that yearly goal. They keep you honest.

Monthly Goals: Now we're getting real. These are your stepping stones. Clear targets that stack up to those quarterly wins.

Weekly Goals: Your battle plan. What specific moves are you making this week?

Daily Goals: This is where the magic happens. The small wins that compound into something massive.

The Holiday Paradox (And Why I Changed My Mind)

Let me get vulnerable for a second.

I used to be that guy. Laptop out during Christmas dinner, firing off emails between bites of turkey, treating December 25th like any other Monday.

Want to know what that got me?

Burnout. Soul-crushing, creativity-killing burnout.

And a whole lot of moments with family that I can't get back.

These days? I'm a lot smarter about it. December is sacred time for:

• Light strategic planning
• Real family time
• Actually recharging (not just saying I'm recharging while scrolling Twitter)
• Getting my head right for what's going to be an absolute monster 2025
• Building up that energy for a January launch

Your 2025 Blueprint: The Smart Way

Here's what I want you to do (yeah, this is homework):

1. Block out 30 minutes this week. Non-negotiable. Make it happen.
2. Write down your massive 2025 goal. Make it so big it scares you. If you're not slightly uncomfortable, double it.
3. Break that beast into 4 quarterly missions. Be specific. Be measurable.
4. Map out January's key moves. Just January. We'll deal with February when it comes.
5. Then? Close the laptop. Seriously.

Just yesterday, I was working with one of my 1:1 clients on this exact process. He came in thinking he'd grow maybe 25% next year. After our planning session? We found a couple major opportunities in his business he was completely overlooking. Now he's on track to potentially 2x by Q3. Sometimes you just need another set of eyes to spot what you're too close to see.

Because here's the truth: The time between now and New Year's? It's not for grinding.

It's for being present. For recharging. For remembering why we're building these empires in the first place.

The Winning Formula

I've tested both approaches (so you don't have to):

Grinding through the holidays = Short-term gains, long-term burnout Strategic planning + intentional rest = Sustainable success

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or just enjoying the winter vibes - I want you to know I'm grateful for this community we're building.

Hug your people. Eat the cookies. Watch the cheesy movies. The hustle will be there in January, and you'll be ready to crush it with fresh energy and clear vision.

Your 2025 is going to be absolutely insane. I can feel it.

But first? Enjoy these moments. They're what it's all about.

Hit reply and let me know: What's that big, scary 2025 goal looking like? I read every email, for real.

Thanks y'all!

James

P.S. Want to make 2025 your breakthrough year? I've got exactly 2 spots left for 1:1 advisory starting in January. These fill up fast (last time they were gone in 48 hours). Reply with "2025" if you want to grab one before they're gone.