How to Make Major Progress on Your Dream (Even During the Holidays)

As we move into the last month of the year (!!!), don’t feel like you’ve run out of time to start something or to finish strong. It’s easy to think of starting fresh on January 1, but think of how great it would be to have a head start on that. Loving Maxie’s tips on making progress, even when things are super hectic and crazy like the holidays.

How to Make Major Progress on Your Dream (Even During the Holidays)

Guest post by Maxie McCoy

Somehow, the end of the year is already here. It’s crazy how almost an entire year has flown by. And while this season is full of SO much – parties, end-of-year exams, new year planning, travel, and so much more – it can also be a time that helps us capitalize on whatever it is that we’re working on.

Because here’s the deal, so many people will do nothing in the next five weeks. They’ll have the mindset of just  “starting in the new year”. Or they’ll put things off. Or they’ll move things to the back burner. Which means, if you can put in a little extra effort in this last milestone of the year, you can set yourself up well. So well.

And this doesn’t mean that you have to add on all kinds of work to an already jam-packed schedule. I’m a fan of hustling hard but doing it with heart – honoring when you need to be still. Honoring your rest. But being super efficient and focused with your time. But you can still do all of that and make meaningful progress on your dreams.

So first, decide what’s the most important priority to you. When you think about beginning 2019 and looking back on the year behind you, what is it that you’re glad you pushed forward? Is it finally starting that book? Or getting your business plan down? Or finishing that watercolor painting? Or setting up that partnership? What’s the thing that’s been lingering in your head…You can’t do it all, but you can do something. So pick.

Second, schedule dedicated time on your calendar in the following 5 weeks to work on it. Whether that’s every day of the week for thirty minutes, or three days a week for 90-minute blocks, knowing when and what you’re working on will keep you in check. And just like we schedule time for our workouts, our friends, and our meetings, we have to schedule time for making progress.

Third, enroll someone to help you. Just do it. Make the ask, the email, the phone call asking for help that you’ve been putting off. What advice would be helpful? What support could you use to take what you’re working on to the next level? Quit dreaming about it and just send the ask, the pitch, the idea… and see what happens. The worst you’ll get is a no. Remember, you don’t need permission in order to begin. You just need you.

Lastly, while people may be slower to respond… while others are putting things off until the new year… while it may seem like no one is really working… use this as motivation to make your small efforts count and stand out. There’s so much you can do in a day. In a week. In a month… Don’t underestimate the power of your small steps to get you farther than you knew you could.

Holidays may be a slow time, but that doesn’t mean your dreams can’t zoom ahead. Try it. Take care of yourself while you hustle. And see the magic that you’re able to create.

If you need help figuring out what your dream is, read Maxie’s book – You’re Not Lost: An Inspired Action Plan for Finding Your Own Way