Harriette Cole: Start the year with 3 big ideas and a 100-day plan

DEAR READERS: Happy New Year! Can you believe that 2025 has passed us by already? It’s hard to grasp, and yet here we are.

Take a moment to breathe and reflect on all that occurred in the past year. What did you learn? How did you grow? What do you need to work on moving forward? Be honest with yourself — and also be kind to yourself.

Now look ahead. Here you are at the beginning. I consider it a blessing to start a new year with all of the anticipation that beginnings can bring.

What is your intention for yourself and your life this year? Take some time to contemplate that. What will you make manifest? Let the sky be the limit as you consider this. If you could do anything you want this year, what would it be?

You can design your life and take the steps you need in order to make your dreams manifest.

Start with a big idea and then break that down into manageable steps. Record those steps into your calendar so that you can hold yourself accountable every day. If you focus on your goals every day starting now, you will be able to see your progress in real time.

I host 100 Day Plan sessions that have this concept in mind. Here’s what you can do on your own: Come up with three big ideas that you want to manifest in your life right now and that you pledge to enact in the next 100 days. Write down what they are and what could stand in the way of you reaching your goals. Then consider what you can do to get around those obstacles. Next, make a checklist of tasks you can complete in order to stay focused and do the work.

In the best of worlds, you will find an accountability partner who will cheer you on as the days tick by. Root for each other and don’t give up, even if you miss a day.

Promise yourself that you are worth the effort you are putting forth for your life. Check in with yourself each week. How are you doing? What have been your successes? What have been your setbacks?

Keep moving. If you stay the course, you will meet at least some of your goals. It’s amazing how effective this focused effort can be. You can be the architect of your life. Go for it and see what you are able to make happen.

You can also sign up for a 100 Day Plan cohort if you don’t want to do it alone.

The bottom line here is that you have power over your own life. Don’t sit back waiting for someone to make things happen for you. Go for it. Now. Believe in your dreams. Say them out loud and work hard every day to make them come true. You are worth it!

Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions toaskharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.