I’m a huge fan of the mantra “December is the new January.” I believe if I’m going to be successful next year I have to start planning and preparing for that success this year.

If you’re looking to get a jumpstart on your January, too, here’s a list of 20 things I think writers should do before 2020.

The end of the year is just 5 weeks away! Being the goal digger that I am, of course, I’m already planning for 2020. While I think it’s important to enjoy these final weeks of the year (and the decade!) by spending time with family and friends, I believe it’s also important to have some alone time to think about the year ahead.

In fact, I’m scheduling a Dreaming Day for myself in the coming weeks. On this day I am going to go somewhere quiet with my journal and favorite pen in hand and answer some important questions about my hopes, dreams, and plans for the future.

Here are 20 questions you should answer for yourself as you begin to prepare for 2020.

For the first time in my adult life, I don’t have a five-year plan.

People who know me well won’t believe this. In my friend group and even in the See Jane Write community I’m known as the queen of goal setting and planning. My best friend once said to me, “Girl, your goals have goals!”