There's something about fall that makes me reflective.
Maybe it's the slight change in seasons (I live in Florida so it’s nothing like the North), the holidays approaching, or realizing just how quickly another year has gone by. Whatever it is, I find myself looking back at what's worked, what hasn't, and what I want to do differently moving forward.
Recently, I came across a handwritten goal-setting exercise I completed back in 2022. Nothing fancy. Just my name in the middle of a piece of paper with bubbles surrounding it, each representing a different area of my life.
Some of those goals became reality. Others evolved. And a few are still works in progress.
It made me smile, but it also got me thinking.
Am I being intentional about the life I'm building, or am I just getting really good at being busy?
So I've already started working on my goals for 2027.
Success Is More Than a Production Number
Anyone who knows me knows I'm ambitious. I love setting goals, pushing myself, and seeing what's possible.
But I've also learned that professional success is only one piece of the puzzle.
You can have an incredible year financially and professionally and still feel like something is missing.
That's why I like to look at my life as a whole.
I literally draw bubbles around different areas: career, finances, health, family, relationships, faith, education, community involvement, and lifestyle.
Each one deserves some thought.
My theme for 2027 is LEVEL UP: With Intention.
But here's the distinction. Leveling up doesn't necessarily mean doing more. Sometimes it means doing less, but doing it better.
What Does Leveling Up Actually Look Like?
For me, it means continuing to grow professionally at Cushman & Wakefield, positioning myself for the next level in my career, and becoming more knowledgeable about real estate development and AI.
It means continuing to grow financially and making smart decisions that create more opportunities down the road.
It means building more muscle, getting stronger, and challenging myself to run a half marathon.
It means becoming more involved in my church, deepening my connection with my alma mater, Rollins College, and continuing to serve my community.
It means being a hands-on mom, showing up for PTA activities, and being present for the everyday moments with my children.
It means making time for my husband, friendships, and the people who matter most.
And it means continuing to travel, explore, and create memories with my family.
But there's another goal that's become increasingly important to me.
PEACE.
Not a life without challenges or stress. That's not realistic, especially when you're juggling a career, family, and community commitments.
I mean peace in knowing that I'm spending my time on the right things. Being comfortable saying no. Not feeling the need to pursue every opportunity simply because it's there.
Because what good is achieving everything on paper if you're too exhausted to enjoy it?
Get Specific. Really Specific.
The bubble exercise is a great starting point, but it's not where goal-setting should end.
I'm a big believer in SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Saying you want to get healthier is a nice intention.
Saying you want to run a half marathon, choosing the race, setting a training schedule, and tracking your progress? Now you have a plan.
The same goes for financial goals, career advancement, continuing education, or even relationships.
Want to spend more time with friends? How often? Put it on the calendar.
Want to learn more about a particular subject? What courses will you take? When will you complete them?
Want to grow your business? What does that growth actually look like in measurable terms?
Specificity creates accountability.
The graphic I'm sharing is intentionally a high-level look at my goals. My actual plan includes specific numbers, deadlines, financial targets, and personal details that I keep private.
You don't need to share every detail with the world. But you should be very clear with yourself about what success looks like.
And don't just write your goals down and forget about them. Revisit them throughout the year. Measure your progress. Make adjustments when necessary.
Why Wait for January?
Here's something I think we get wrong about New Year's resolutions.
We treat January 1st like some magical starting line.
But why?
If I want to run a half marathon next year, why wouldn't I start building endurance now?
If I want to advance professionally, why wouldn't I start developing the skills and relationships that will help me get there today?
If I want more peace in my life, why wait another two months to start protecting my time?
The habits and decisions we make today are already shaping the year ahead.
And I would much rather enter January with momentum than spend the first few weeks trying to figure out where to begin.
Give Yourself Permission to Change
One of the things I appreciated most about finding my old goals was seeing how much I've evolved.
I'm not the same person I was in 2022.
My career has changed. My children are older. My priorities have shifted. I've learned more about what matters to me and, perhaps just as importantly, what doesn't.
And that's okay.
Sometimes we get so attached to goals we set years ago that we forget to ask whether we even want those things anymore.
Growth isn't always about checking another box.
Sometimes it's about recognizing that you've outgrown the box altogether.
A Simple Exercise for Your Next Chapter
Take a blank piece of paper and put your name in the middle.
Draw bubbles around it for the areas of life that matter most to you.
Ask yourself where you are today, where you want to go, and what needs to change to get there.
Then take it a step further. Turn those ideas into SMART goals with measurable targets and timelines.
You don't need to tackle everything at once. In fact, I'd argue that's a recipe for burnout.
Start with the areas that will make the greatest difference in your life.
And remember, the goal isn't to fill every bubble with more obligations. It's to make sure the life you're building is one you actually want to live.
The Long View
If there's one thing I've learned through business, motherhood, and life, it's that the biggest transformations rarely happen overnight.
They happen through consistency.
The workouts we show up for. The relationships we invest in. The knowledge we gain. The financial decisions we make. The commitments we keep. And the boundaries we establish.
All of those little decisions compound.
Fall gives us a natural opportunity to reflect, but growth doesn't have to wait for a particular season.
My goal isn't simply to accomplish more next year.
It's to continue building a life where ambition, family, health, purpose, and peace can coexist.
Because the best measure of success isn't just what you've accomplished. It's whether you're enjoying the life you've worked so hard to build.
So here's my Mindset Monday challenge:
Before the year ends, take some time to reflect on where you've been and get intentional about where you're going.
You don't need a new year to start a new chapter.
You just need to decide it's time.