Goal Brunch Turns New Year’s Resolutions On Their Head

My mind drew a blank when asked what I was most proud of from 2023. This had never happened to me before! Quickly putting on my B.S. hat, I said that I’m always overdoing things, so I was proud that I didn't have anything to report. Meaning, I didn't need the gold star of achievement. Running with the less-is-more theme, I mentioned how I canceled my podcast, while I simultaneously pondered bringing it back.

I was at the 2024 Goal Brunch, an annual event by Pregame that puts a celebratory, and more effective, twist on New Year's resolutions. Ciara Pressler , the mastermind behind Pregame and the Goal Brunch, cleared up my thinking by mentioning “a singular purpose” and how we must use discipline in order to focus on just a few things at a time. 

Two Types of Goals

In harnessing my discipline to set aside the podcast notion, I’ve made room to focus on the two types of goals Ciara discussed at the brunch: 

1. Habit Goals        

2. Achievement Goals        

If I remember correctly, habit goals are what's going to get you somewhere, whereas achievement goals might be the pie-in-the-sky kind of wanting that doesn't have any footing underneath it.

Redefining My Yearly Theme

When asked to delve into a goal-oriented theme with our brunch mates, I mentioned my earlier 2024 theme of learning, which I wrote about in my last newsletter. I can make a year of learning sound all interesting and PR-y, but what does that really mean?

I recognized its vagueness when Ciara asked us to consider our single most important area to level up. Community instantly came to mind. For me, everything revolves around community because it’s another way in which I have paired down my life.

Being Vague Caused My Shut Down

When trying to focus on the less-is-more theme last year, I said Veracity wouldn't accept any new clients. We were full and happy, thank you very much. But we all know the phrase “if you’re not growing, you’re dying.” Not accepting new clients would mean that my team wouldn’t have the opportunity to evolve through managing new team members. Moreover, agency life is about variety and while I’ve said before that I am very comfortable in my turtle shell, its stagnation affects more than just me. 

Instead of shutting the door to new opportunities, I decided to get clear about our ideal client qualities, which brings me to community. For a long time, our work has centered around our clients’ community involvement, while spicing in some economic or B2B work in addition to that community work. It is not an either / or. 

So, earlier this year I decided that potential clients must be involved in their communities or be interested in engaging Veracity to launch community initiatives, otherwise we could refer them to another amazing PR person. Today this clear requirement gives me the power to grow my business thoughtfully by turning down new business phone calls confidently and only accepting clients that are a right fit. 

Community and Learning Formed through Habits

Remembering Ciara’s definition of habit goals, it occurred to me that getting out in my own community could be the best way to meet potential community-oriented clients. So, I filled my calendar with recurring events. Not only does this get me out, but many of the events are educational, tying into my vague “year of learning” theme, and provide social media content

The clarity I gained at the Goal Brunch to focus on just a few things at a time has set me free of the podcast and brought me the space to lean back into the community. Fully understanding my new client requirements, I see that potential clients are right in my hometown. I don't need to sit behind a computer and broadcast virtually for people all over the world when I have a community of very generous and thoughtful people in my backyard. 

It’s amazing how all of the pieces can come together just by attending a brunch. Maybe there is a reason why Portlanders are known for their brunch habit.