12 Week Year: Achieve Your Goals
Also parasites, spies, and the joys and fears of trans motherhood
Recommendations for the week ahead: what to read, watch, eat and more.
📚 Daphne du Maurier’s “The Parasites” is a beautifully written exploration of the complex and toxic dynamics within a family bound by fame and talent. Unlike du Maurier's more famous works like Rebecca or Jamaica Inn, this novel is a more intimate portrayal of the human condition, focusing on the relationships rather than suspense or gothic elements. The story revolves around the Delaney siblings who, despite their glamorous facade, are entangled in a web of mutual dependency, rivalry, and resentment. It is, perhaps, My favourite du Maurier’s novel.
It was Charles who called us the parasites. The way he said it was surprising, and sudden; he was one of those quiet reserved sort of men, not given to talking much or stating his opinion, unless upon the most ordinary facts of day by day, so that his outburst—coming, as it did, towards the end of the long, wet Sunday afternoon, when we had none of us done anything but read the papers and yawn and stretch before the fire—had the force of an explosion.
📺 “Signora Volpe” is a charming, light-hearted and absolutely stunning crime drama set against the picturesque backdrop of Umbria. The show follows Sylvia Fox, a former MI6 agent who trades in the high-stakes world of espionage for a quieter life in Italian countryside. However, her peaceful retreat soon turns into a series of thrilling investigations (think murder as well as pig theft). It really is a perfect mix of cozy mystery and spy drama, properly British at its core. The second season came out last week and it’s just as good as the first one.
📰 The Joys and Fears of Trans Motherhood - a stunning piece by Gabrielle Bellot. Please be prepared — it deals with some heavy themes.
🎧 The Missing by
is a true crime podcast that explores the heart-wrenching stories of missing persons cases from around the world. With a focus on bringing attention to unresolved cases and giving a voice to those left behind, The Missing offers a compassionate look at the mysteries of those who have vanished without a trace. I love everything does, and this it no exception.I am excited about autumn and won’t shut up about it — September 1st truly can’t come fast enough. This back-to-school feeling carries a certain charm and a desire to by new notebooks. I am planning to filling them up with plans and to-do lists. In line with this seasonal motivation, I've decided to implement The 12 Week Year this fall.
The 12 Week Year, a productivity strategy developed by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington, revolves around the idea that annual goals are too distant and that breaking the year into 12-week periods creates a sense of urgency and clarity.
It goes in line the Parkinson’s Law I strongly believe in.
Parkinson’s Law is the idea that your work will expand to fill the time allotted for its completion.
1. Goal Setting
Define your vision: Begin by clarifying what you want to achieve by the end of the year. Your vision will guide the specific goals you set for the 12 weeks.
Select your goals: Choose 1-3 critical goals to focus on. These should be ambitious yet attainable.
2. Planning
Break down your goals: Once you’ve identified your key goals, break them down into weekly and daily tasks. This step is crucial for maintaining momentum. For instance, if your goal is to write a book (hello, you), determine how many chapters or words you need to write each week.
Create a 12-week plan: Develop a detailed plan for each week, specifying the actions you need to take to stay on track. This plan should be realistic, considering your other commitments.
3. Execution
Weekly reviews: At the start of each week, review your progress and adjust your plan as needed. This reflection helps you stay on course and adapt to any changes.
Daily focus: Each day, prioritize your tasks based on your weekly plan. This daily discipline is the core of the 12 Week Year, as it ensures consistent progress.
Easy-peasy.
Outcome
Achieving more in less time: By the end of the fall, you may find that you’ve accomplished more than in previous seasons, with a deeper sense of fulfillment and progress.
Preparing for the next cycle: Finally, you’ll be in a strong position to start the next 12-week cycle, having built momentum and learned valuable lessons from the process.
Good luck to me and you!
