January Productivity Rebellion: Make Your "NOT This Year" List
This is The Productivity Rebellion.
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Get it delivered on the 1st of every month:
January feels like pressure in a way no other time of year does.
Everyone's talking about fresh starts, goals, and new habits, and you're just trying to figure out if all the Christmas trash is going to fit in the can for pickup this week.
Life is about to “start” again - school, work, life - and everything in between. You’re looking at your first week back at work, and wondering why on earth you agreed to put all those “circle back after the holidays” meetings in the first 3 days of the week. 😵💫
Your brain is still foggy (maybe from the sugar overload). And every Instagram post is screaming at you to launch something, optimize something, overhaul something, show up as a new and improved you. Ugh.
Here's what I want you to know: You don't have to reinvent your entire life this month. You're not behind. The year is 52 weeks long, and it's January 1st.
Today, keep those cozy pjs on, maybe have a glass of water to flush out all that sugar, and spend some time journaling.
This Month: Make Your "NOT This Year" List
Everyone else is deciding on their "word of the year" and starting new routines. You? Make your "NOT this year" list instead.
Before you plan that Q1 launch or join that expensive gym, do this:
For your life: Write down 5-10 things you're releasing this year. Could be: hosting big dinners, saying yes to every networking event, posting on Instagram daily, trying to be available 24/7 to clients, comparing yourself to that one entrepreneur who seems to have it all together.
For your business:
Look at last year's revenue by offer. What made you money AND didn't drain you? Do more of that.
What offers felt like pulling teeth? Release them or redesign them.
Set ONE goal for Q1. Not 10. One.
Permission granted: You can want less. That's not lazy—it's focused.
If you're thinking "but I need to do ALL the things to grow"—I promise, you don't. You need to do the right things without burning out.
Your tiny rebellion this week: Take one thing off your January to-do list that you added out of obligation, not desire. That networking event you "should" go to? The client project you said yes to out of guilt? The big ask from a friend or relative you’re dreading? What can you release THIS WEEK to create just a little more breathing room?
Behind the Chaos: Wintering with Intention
When I realized that I never felt like I was “ready” to get back to business (in the extroverted, launching, social media way) in January, because it’s the middle of winter and my body can’t (won’t) muster enough energy for that stuff - it was life-changing.
“Wintering is a practice of listening to the whispers of your soul when the world outside grows quiet.”
That lightbulb moment was the spark of self-reflection that started my entire business philosophy around seasonal planning.
Spring: Growth, Planning, and Fresh Ideas
Summer: Simplification & System Maintenance
Fall: Acceleration & Scaling
Winter: Reflection & Deep Work
In January, I declutter, review, rest, and reflect. It’s a quiet cleaning of my own life and business so that when I’m ready, my foundations are stronger and strategies clearer.
It’s like when you love all your Christmas/Holiday decor, but by January, you’re so ready to put it all away, donate what’s taking up space that you don’t love, and to see a clean home. That.
I encourage you to use this month to self-reflect on a “NOT this year” list. This is what it looks like for me:
NOT launching anything new in Q1 (focusing on what's already working: podcast guest appearances, SEO optimization, and newsletter consistency)
NOT trying to post on Instagram daily (once or twice a week is enough)
NOT saying yes to any summits (I know from experience they don’t move the needle for my goals)
NOT beating myself up for not my entire year figured out by January 2nd
That's it. And suddenly January looks like breathing room instead of a sprint I'm already losing.
What's one thing YOU'RE not doing this year? Hit reply and tell me—I'd love to hear what you're releasing.
Ask Cara
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If This Resonated
I normally would only give you one podcast and one blog to check out - but this subject is a core tenant of my teaching philosophies, so I’ve created a lot of content around it. Don’t worry about clicking through to everything - pick just one that sounds interesting and relevant to you right now.
On The Podcast:
Seasonal Planning for Business Without Burnout
In this episode of Ditch the Chaos, I’m walking you through the real reason quarterly planning fails—and how seasonal business planning helps you stay consistent without the constant pressure.
This isn’t about syncing with the weather. It’s about syncing your strategy with the seasons of energy, focus, and rest that actually affect your work.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why traditional planning leads to burnout for women entrepreneurs
How to align your work with your energy—not just your goals
What each season is actually good for (and what to stop forcing)
The mindset shift that makes inconsistency strategic
How to use seasonal rhythms to build a sustainable business year-round
→Listen on Apple.
→Listen on Spotify.
On The Blog:
Letting Go of Goals to Embrace Self-Trust
We’re all familiar with the New Year, New You hype: “Set big goals! Make this your year!” Social media and self-help gurus urge us to go faster, aim higher, and achieve more. They shame you into signing up for their intense programs, download more checklists, and make it sound like it’s so easy if you just want it bad enough. But let’s pause and ask: Is this really working for us?
Read More →
Still reading?
January Reset: Rest, Declutter, and Recharge Your Life
January often comes with an avalanche of expectations. You’re supposed to wake up on New Year’s Day with a 10-point plan for self-reinvention, ready to hustle harder than ever, maybe even go for a “polar bear plunge”. But here’s a reality check: January isn’t spring. It’s a winter month while nature is still resting, and an arbitrary date on the calendar.
Read More →
That's it for January my friends. I hope your holiday season was filled with love, at least a little holiday magic, and you’ve gotten a chance to rest. Bonus points if you were able to do a digital detox too.
I wish you so much love, connection, and rest this month as we say hello to 2026!
See you next month!
Here's to creating white space in your calendar and breathing room in your brain 🖤
xo,
Cara
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