The Heart & Hustle Podcast – Episode 415: Our Annual Review Process - How We Plan for a New Year

Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Duration: Approximately 46 minutes
Focus: Annual review process for personal and business growth

Introduction to the Annual Review Process

In Episode 415, hosts Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman delve into their comprehensive annual review process, designed to help creative entrepreneurs assess the previous year and strategically plan for the upcoming one. Aimed at empowering listeners with actionable insights, the episode blends personal reflection with business strategy to foster holistic growth.

Evie [00:00]:
“We are your hosts, Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman. Welcome back to the show, friend. This is about to be a really fun episode that hopefully is empowering and encouraging for you.”

Lindsey [00:29]:
“And we're going to cover both personal and business kind of all wrapped up in one.”

Step 1: Reviewing the Previous Year

The first step in their annual review process involves a deep dive into the past year’s events, achievements, and challenges across both personal and business spheres.

Evie [03:11]:
“We're trying to really set yourself in a headspace where you're able to fully lock in and be like, assessing your previous year and then really goal setting and dreaming and envisioning, like, what do I want? What do I need to change?”

Lindsey [12:51]:
“I like to review my Google Calendar, camera roll, and Instagram story archive to trigger memories of key events and seasons throughout the year.”

Key Activities:

• Documenting Events: Writing down significant personal and business events month by month.
• Emotional Assessment: Reflecting on mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational states during different periods.
• Business Insights: Noting major business milestones, successes, and setbacks to understand growth and areas needing improvement.

Evie [14:08]:
“And writing down key events. Writing down like things that happened. And then business wise, I would also say write down any key moments that happened in business, whether they were good or bad or anything that, that stands out.”

Notable Quote:
Lindsey [31:54]:
“We always forget the good, and we only focus on what went wrong or what goals we missed.”

Step 2: Assessing the Upcoming Year

Once the past year is thoroughly reviewed, the next step is to assess and plan for the new year by outlining known life events and necessary adjustments.

Evie [21:17]:
“Write down your life plans and any adjustments you want to make for the coming year. This could include major life events like weddings, vacations, or personal milestones.”

Lindsey [27:14]:
“Is there any big adjustment that needs to be turned into a practical goal? Maybe rebranding, launching a new product, or altering work hours.”

Key Activities:

• Life Planning: Identifying and scheduling significant personal events such as birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, or family milestones.
• Business Adjustments: Planning changes in business operations, like pricing strategies, target audience shifts, or new service launches to better align with personal and professional goals.

Evie [25:00]:
“Make sure you’re not overbooking yourself. For example, if you know you’ll be out of office for three months, adjust your business goals accordingly.”

Step 3: Setting Tangible Goals

The final step involves translating the insights from the previous steps into clear, measurable goals across various aspects of life and business.

Evie [29:28]:
“We're going to talk about your area of habits, financial goals, business goals, and then relational or personal goals. Setting tangible markers ensures your goals are attainable and not just ambiguous.”

Lindsey [29:39]:
“A goal needs to be formulated in a way that you can actively say, did that happen? Yes or no. For instance, instead of saying 'I want to work out more,' set a specific target like 'I want to work out three times a week.'”

Key Areas for Goal Setting:

1. Habits: Integrating new habits or eliminating old ones by reducing friction or increasing incentives.
   • Example: “Set out your running shoes the night before to make morning workouts easier.” [33:34]
2. Financial Goals: Establishing clear revenue targets, breaking them down monthly for better tracking.
   • Evie* [35:14]:
     “Make sure to break down your annual revenue goal into manageable monthly targets.”
3. Business Goals: Defining specific business milestones such as client numbers, product launches, or rebranding efforts.
   • Lindsey* [37:09]:
     “If your goal is to shoot 20 weddings a year, break it down by month to manage workload effectively.”
4. Relational and Personal Goals: Enhancing personal relationships and personal well-being through specific, actionable steps.
   • Evie* [39:16]:
     “Set goals like having a weekly planning meeting with your spouse or scheduling regular date nights.”

Notable Quote:
Lindsey [31:19]:
“Have some faith. Challenge yourself a little bit.”

Practical Tips and Resources

Throughout the episode, Evie and Lindsey share practical tips and recommend resources to aid in the annual review process.

Resource Highlight:
They mention Zim Flores’ “Annual Review” book from Holy Homestead, a thorough planner designed to facilitate a comprehensive yearly assessment.
Evie [08:00]:
“If you need a structured approach, we highly recommend Zim Flores’ Annual Review book. It’s incredibly thorough and beautifully designed.”

Goal-Setting Strategy:
They advocate for breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks to maintain motivation and ensure progress.

Evie [29:48]:
“Make sure to have goals that are measurable so you can track your progress and feel accomplished.”

Encouragement and Support

Evie and Lindsey emphasize the importance of patience and intentionality in the review and planning process. They encourage listeners to take their time, allowing the process to unfold naturally without rushing.

Evie [08:55]:
"Don't rush this process. It probably won't get done in a day, and that's okay. Chip away at it."

Lindsey [10:47]:
“Ask God, like, 'What do you have for me in 2025?' Whether you’re a believer or not, finding a source of inspiration can be incredibly motivating.”

Final Encouragement:
They conclude by reassuring listeners that the annual review is a powerful tool for personal and business growth, fostering a sense of clarity and purpose for the year ahead.

Evie [43:18]:
“Do not forget to make it an actual, like, you can say yes or no, done or incomplete. That is going to be the difference for having goals that you actually accomplish.”

Lindsey [43:36]:
“We hope your 2025 is off to a great start or whatever year you may be listening to this also.”

Conclusion

Episode 415 of The Heart & Hustle Podcast offers a structured and insightful approach to conducting an annual review, blending personal reflection with strategic business planning. By following the three-step process of reviewing the past year, assessing the upcoming one, and setting tangible goals, listeners are equipped to enter the new year with clarity, purpose, and actionable strategies for growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Comprehensive Review: Take time to document and reflect on both personal and business milestones.
• Strategic Assessment: Plan for known life events and adjust business strategies accordingly.
• Goal Setting: Establish clear, measurable goals across various life and business areas to ensure progress and fulfillment.

By implementing these practices, creative entrepreneurs can confidently navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth, ensuring a balanced and successful year ahead.