It’s been quite a year, for all of us.

I began the year with these goals.

Every year I write my goals down, usually in the Notes app on my phone because 1) I’m a millennial and 2) I actually use my Notes on a daily basis. Every other year, I’ve written “smart” goals that are much more specific and include all the things the goal setting books say you need to have, but I started 2021 off with a different approach. I set these very simple goals of doing certain habits more often. Not only did I crush 6 out of 8 of my goals, I accomplished goals from previous years that I struggled to reach. In addition to this list, I quit my job, started my blog, solo traveled for the first time, and gained 2 new passport stamps. Changing careers was a goal I had in 2019 and 2020, but I could never quite figure out how to pivot into another sector. Starting my blog was a goal I had for many years, I can’t even put a date on it, but this year, I focused on it and did it. Traveling more is always the goal, but this year I didn’t set out to travel at all, yet I took some of my most memorable trips yet. The key was never in the goals I wrote down, it was in the actions behind the goals. I can write the best goals according to all the books, but if I don’t actually put in the work, nothing happens.

I never imagined quitting my job and just not working. I’ve never had a dream job (and I never will) because I disagree with that concept, but I never imagined a moment in time where I quit my job and… lived. It’s not something I had ever seen anyone do or heard of, but my amazing team at work, my parents’ support, and a bunch of friends gave me all the signs that this was a leap I needed to take.

I was doing the work (financially) to accomplish Goal #8 of purchasing a home, only to find out that I would be accomplishing a bigger goal. The work I put in did not go to waste; it helped me see another opportunity. I would’ve never seen this opportunity if I hadn’t been putting in the work. Accomplishing Goal #1 thru #6 gave me the confidence, time, and tools I needed to be comfortable with quitting my job, but quitting my job was the single action that set off all the other amazing things that happened this year. This goal, that I technically didn’t set, was the most rewarding. I spent the first half of the year preparing, and I spent the second half of the year doing things I didn’t even know I could do. The difference this year wasn’t in how I wrote my goals, it was in my actions. This year, I put my foot on the gas and never let up.

One chapter is closing in a few days, and another chapter will begin. The gyms will be flooded for a few weeks and we’re already getting the overflow of social media posts about leveling up, making more money, and claiming that 2022 will be your year. The truth is though, none of that is going to happen unless you put some action behind it. One week, one day, or one month in the gym isn’t going to get you your summer body (or whatever body you’re aiming for). Claiming that you’re going to do something isn’t going to make it happen. You can do all the goal setting and vision board parties you want, but nothing works unless you do. And I don’t mean one day here and one day there. You have to do the work and you have to do it consistently. That’s how you get results. It’s not about working harder or smarter; it’s about doing the work, no matter how big or small, and doing it consistently. The size of the goal and nature of the goal mean nothing, if you’re not going to do what it takes to reach it.

Travel Tip #24: Nothing works unless you do.

Next year doesn’t have to be a repeat of any of your previous years. Next year can be different. Next year can be new. Hell, tomorrow can be different. It’s less about when you decide to start and more about just starting. The fear is in starting, but so is the reward. If there’s anything I learned this year, it’s to go for it because you truly have nothing to lose. When I shared my Quarter 3 Check-in, I mentioned two travel tips that I used as affirmations. These two statements carried me through my greatest fears and brought me my greatest blessings in 2021: Do it afraid and Do it alone.

This week, share 1 thing you will do next year that aligns to one of your goals. Frame your response in what you will do, not just what you want to do. It has to be something you can actually do, because nothing works unless you do.

Send your responses via email, text message, or in the comments.

Do the work.

With love,

Mai