My 12-Week Year Plan: Goals, Habits, and a Glow Up
Some days, plans fall apart and that’s exactly how today went. I started my day intending to style my hair, prep outfits, and film four videos. Instead, I spent the day catching up on postponed tasks before Christmas break ends and only began filming at 5:00 PM, unstyled, tired, but ready to take action.
This little disruption reminded me of the power of short-term, focused planning. Here’s how I’m using the 12-week year framework to make big changes in my life, home, business, and teaching career.
What the 12-Week Year Really Is
The concept is simple: replace yearly goals with a 12-week sprint. When goals feel far away, procrastination sneaks in. Shrink your timeline to 12 weeks, pick focused, measurable outcomes, and break them down into weekly and daily tactics.
The result? Small, consistent wins that quickly add up and create momentum.
My Goals for the Next 12 Weeks
Traditional 12-week year advice suggests 3 goals, but I’m taking a holistic approach. Here are my six focus areas with specific outcomes and actionable tactics:
1. Monetize My YouTube
Outcome: Reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.
Action Steps:
- Post one long-form video per week.
- Publish daily shorts to boost discovery and engagement.
- Repurpose content to Instagram for wider reach.
- Focus on content marketing my illustration work and creative life, not influencer status.
2. Build an Illustration Business
Outcome: Monetize my creative skills and feel confident calling myself an illustrator.
Options I’m Exploring:
- Offer services to businesses: social media assets, product illustrations, and brand placements.
- Create products for teachers: stickers, clip art, stationery, classroom resources, or a membership.
- Plan: Test one path for 12 weeks, validate demand, and expand later.
3. Automate Routines & Build Healthy Habits
Outcome: Free mental bandwidth and time for creativity.
Examples of Automation:
- Repeatable morning and evening routines.
- Batch meal prep and social media content.
- Templates and checklists for client workflows and errands.
- Small habit triggers, like a 10-minute creative warm-up after breakfast.
4. Read the Bible in 90 Days
Outcome: Complete a 90-day Bible reading plan, reading ~30–45 minutes daily.
I love how this aligns with the 12-week sprint mindset. It’s short, focused, and achievable compared to yearly goals that often lose momentum.
5. Glow Up & Improve Physical Health
Outcome: Feel healthier, energetic, and confident.
Action Steps:
- Cut gluten and sugar; consider removing dairy later.
- Daily short workouts plus gym sessions 3x/week.
- Drink more water and prioritize sleep.
- Date myself more, set boundaries, and avoid draining energy from others.
6. Manage Finances & Practice Stewardship
Outcome: Build clarity, control, and intentionality with money.
Daily & Weekly Practices:
- Record every expense and income daily.
- Attend a 90-in-90 Debtors Anonymous program for accountability and learning.
- Weekly finance review to track progress and adjust spending.
How I Structure My 12-Week Sprint
Here’s the simple framework I use to stay on track:
- Define Clear Outcomes: Each goal has a measurable target (e.g., 1,000 subscribers, finishing Bible plan).
- List Weekly Tactics: 1–3 weekly actions that move the needle (film a long video, batch 5 shorts, attend 2 DA meetings).
- Create Daily Micro-Actions: Small, realistic tasks (15 min reading, tracking spending, 10-min workout).
- Weekly Review: Celebrate wins, note missed actions, adjust next week’s plan.
- Accountability: Use meetings, a friend, or public commitments to stay consistent.
Sample Weekly Template
Monday: Plan the week, outline the long video, set content themes.
Tuesday: Film/create content, quick workout, log daily spending.
Wednesday: Edit/batch shorts, work on illustration product or client outreach.
Thursday: Deep creative work block, grocery prep, attend a DA meeting.
Friday: Finalize/schedule content, weekly finance review.
Weekend: Rest, light creative play, longer gym session, Bible reading catch-up if needed.
Tips to Make the 12-Week Year Stick
- Be ruthless with focus: Stick to one business path at a time.
- Keep actions tiny: Even 5–10 minute efforts count as progress.
- Schedule non-negotiables: Put workouts, reading, and finance check-ins on your calendar like appointments with yourself.
- Record results, not effort: Track measurable outcomes, like videos posted, subscribers gained, pages read.
- Celebrate small wins: Every completed task is a step toward momentum.
Final Thoughts
The 12-week year creates clarity, focus, and momentum. Instead of drifting through a long timeline, you get to iterate quickly and see results fast. My 12-week sprint covers creative work, business growth, spiritual life, health, and finances—holistically supporting every area of life.
If you’ve tried a 12-week sprint or are planning one, I’d love to hear what worked (or didn’t) for you. Small experiments, course corrections, and consistent micro-actions are what turn this into a habit, not just a one-time push.