Unorthodox New Year’s Planning: The Bingo Board Approach to Professional Growth
Every January, the world seems to hit the reset button. Social media fills with bold resolutions, 30-day challenges, and promises to become a new person overnight. But if you’re anything like me, the traditional "New Year, New Me" routine never quite stuck. I’ve never been one for the all-or-nothing, January 1st sprint. Instead, I’ve found more value in a quarterly approach—one that treats professional growth like a game of skill-building bingo rather than a rigid checklist.
Taking Stock: Your Marketable Skills Inventory
Before setting any goals, I start by taking an honest inventory of my marketable skills. What did I actually use last year? What skills did I lean on to launch my independent consulting business, and which ones did I wish I had? For me, 2025 was all about:
Standing up my consulting business from scratch
Learning the ropes of social media management and content scheduling
Diving into web development with Squarespace, custom code, and AI tools
Building out lead generation systems using platforms like Apollo
The Bingo Board Method: Quarterly Skill Focus
Instead of setting one big, year-long resolution, I approach each quarter as a fresh opportunity to pick three new skills or areas to develop. Imagine a bingo board filled with professional skills—each quarter, I aim to tick off a few more squares. This method keeps things dynamic and flexible, letting me adapt as priorities shift and new opportunities appear.
Why Not Plan the Whole Year?
Business (and life) rarely goes according to plan. While I set broad yearly intentions—where I’d like to be by December—I don’t map out every quarter in advance. Things change, new tech emerges, and sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you didn’t see coming. Just like in business, adopting a TCI (Total Continuous Improvement) philosophy is a great way to treat your professional skills—always iterating, always leveling up, and staying ready for what’s next.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Reflecting on last year, my biggest wins came from:
Mastering social media tools and automation
Getting comfortable with custom web development and AI-assisted coding
Building and enhancing sales funnels with smarter prospecting tools
This year, Q1 is all about putting those skills to work: diving into HubSpot, experimenting with creative newsletters, and leveling up my social media engagement.
Make Your Own Bingo Board
If you’re tired of the traditional resolution grind, try this:
List out the professional skills you want to develop or strengthen.
Break them into quarterly focus areas—three per quarter is a solid start.
Treat each skill like a bingo square to tick off, not a burden to bear.
Allow your goals to evolve with you—reprioritize as you learn and grow.
Final Thoughts
Growth isn’t a one-time event; it’s a series of small, intentional moves. Whether you’re launching a business or leveling up your career, consider ditching the old playbook. Build your own bingo board, and let progress—rather than perfection—drive your year.
If you’re struggling to develop a professional development plan, I can help coach you through a process that works. As a professional coach, I offer a free 30-minute introductory call to explore what’s possible and help you get started. Go to my website (link in bio) to book your call. Let’s connect and build your game plan together.
