Do you remember playing hide-and-seek as a kid? As the seeker finished counting, they’d call out: “Ready or not, here I come!” Often, we approach the new year the same way: diving into projects and plans without pausing to assess if we’re truly ready.
This January, let’s do it differently. As you set your goals for the New Year, take some time to assess your readiness. It’s not about waiting until you feel fully prepared before you start (you might never feel completely “ready”). It’s about recognizing where you are now, identifying what might still be needed, and planning for those gaps so you can move forward with purpose.
Over the next month, we’ll dive deeper into readiness. For now, consider these three factors:
Competency: Do you or your team have the needed capability, skills, and knowledge?
Capacity: Do you have the time, energy, and resources to dedicate?
Workways: Do you have the systems, habits, and processes to sustain progress?
Understanding your readiness helps you set goals — and the projects that will help you achieve them — with clarity. It’s about assessing where you stand and taking meaningful steps to move forward with intention.
Before jumping into the how of your project, take a moment to reflect on the what. What level of success are you aiming for: small, moderate, or epic? Each level of success requires a corresponding level of readiness.
If your current readiness aligns with small success, focus on what you can achieve now while building plans to strengthen competency, capacity, or workways for future goals. If you aim for a higher level, factor in the time and resources needed to address readiness gaps, such as improving systems to free up energy or building capacity to enhance your skills.
A team’s readiness level determines how effectively they can execute goals. The five readiness levels — R1 (Unprepared) through R5 (Extremely Well-Prepared) — offer a framework for understanding where your team stands and what’s needed to level up.
By assessing readiness across competency, capacity, and workways, leaders can set realistic goals, provide targeted support, and build a stronger foundation for success. Explore our Readiness Assessment to dive deeper into this framework and guide your team toward sustainable growth.
Effective teamwork depends on shared habits and routines that foster collaboration and a sense of belonging. But are your team’s workways helping or hindering progress?
Take time to evaluate how your team works together. Use our Assess Your Team Habits worksheet to identify patterns that might be creating bottlenecks or opportunities for improvement. By addressing collective workways, you’ll help your team function more effectively and achieve shared goals.
Need help assessing your readiness as we start the new year? Join us for one or both of our monthly calls (available as part of our paid subscription) to gain clarity and set yourself up for meaningful progress in 2025.
Our Find Your Business Flow program kicks off on January 21st, starting with a focus on readiness. In the first session, you’ll assess your business’s current level of readiness and lay the groundwork for strengthening the systems and practices that help your business thrive. This foundational work will help you build a strong base for sustainable growth and long-term success.
We’re extending our 2024 pricing through the first week of January — if you’ve been considering joining, now is the time.
Is your team ready for what’s next? Our Team Readiness Workshop evaluates and aligns your team’s ability to achieve objectives by assessing competency, capacity, and workways. This workshop can help your team:
Resolve challenges: Navigate transitions, reduce frequent errors, and adapt to restructuring or new challenges.
Elevate performance: Prepare for major opportunities, strengthen capabilities for big projects, and build resilience for future challenges.
Explore our different workshops or other ways we can support your team.
We recently refreshed our site to make finding the tools and inspiration you need easier than ever. Whether you’re just joining us, re-engaging, or planning your next steps, our new Start Here page is your guide. From free planners to curated posts for entrepreneurs, leaders, and teammates, you’ll find everything you need to thrive in 2025.
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to get organized for 2025. Download the free version of our January planners to help you focus on what matters most, make space for meaningful work, and start the new year with intention.
Premium subscribers can access the full suite of dated planners below (now including 2025’s planners!). 👇 If you don’t see them, please make sure you’re logged in to your paid account.