Over my time in business I’ve developed a few end-of-year/New Year’s practices, which always help me get into a confident and charged up state of mind as the new year gets under way. After one of my students in the Impact Academy recently asked me about what “rituals” I do this time of year, I felt a new blog post coming on.

Here are three practices that I use to set myself up for success:

1. Choosing a word or theme for the year

I always pick a word or phrase for the New Year as a beacon to guide me through the coming 12 months. Sometimes it eludes me until the very end of December, but I always seem to get the “divine download” before the calendar page turns. My suggestion for you is to choose the word based on what you’ve experienced in the past year, as well as what you are looking to be, do, feel and stand for in the next. Another way to look at it? Base your word on your biggest current frustration.

2. Creating a list of intentions

I long ago ditched “resolutions” which felt constricting and often futile. Instead, I started listing out my intentions for the year in a notebook, and then letting them go. Just the act of putting them down and then releasing the “need” to have them be stringently “stuck to” feels freeing and so much more. Funny enough, when I look back at many of them later, they’ve often manifested—through my taking focused, consistent action of course.

Intention is powerful.

3. Mapping out all my offerings

On the practical side of things, I always plan the next year’s launches and marketing, so I have a 12 month view of all my potential income. The goal I am looking to achieve of course is to meet or surpass my revenue goal for the year. This is a practice I encourage my students and clients to do as well, as it helps quell cash flow anxiety and eliminate the feast and famine roller coaster.

I’d love to hear from you: do you have rituals or practices that you use to get psyched for the New Year? Be sure to share with me in the comments!