33 Comments

Okay first time listening to a voice memo on Substacj and I’m obsessed! Loved this post, Anna, and now I want to go out, find a passive income stream, and buy a Lego set.

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Omg I actually laughed out loud reading this hahahahaha 😂❤️

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Love the way you visualize thoughts and systems! I wonder if you’ve had customers apply the OS to their operator role at a startup, since that is your background. Seems like it could be catered to that, thoughts?

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Hey Kelsey, this is definitely food for thought (thank you!). At the moment I’m being quite focused in terms of my messaging, and promoting this as specifically for self employed people building their own multifaceted portfolio careers and businesses.

That being said, the OS can definitely be used to help manage a full time job and workload, whether that’s a startup operator or someone who’s in a more established business. So far I don’t think I’ve had anyone buy the OS who fits into that category but it’s probably because I’m not marketing it as such.

You’ve given me some food for thought though - there could be a slightly different version of the OS that’s tailored for people in FT roles whose portfolio is made up of a job and side projects or building a personal brand.

What do you think? 🙏🏼

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Hi Anna, yes I am wondering if it would be more flexible than using something like Motion.AI yet more calendar based than Hubspot. I will look through what you have about the platform. Thank you!!

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No worries! Feel free to email me at anna@annamackenzie.com.au if you have any more questions 😊

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Thanks for sharing your process. I do something similar (usually using Shane Parrish’s annual review and then adding my own things to personalise … eg. 1 word - this year it’s Strengthen.

Have mapped my year out old school on a big wall planner for the first time - as a primarily visual learner it’s already made a big difference to how I think about my 90 day sprints and how my habits and goals ladder up.

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Love it. It’s so interesting hearing how everyone approaches the same planning process slightly differently 😊

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how cool is this Lego Milky Way set?!

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It is epic!

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Great work Anna. I have done something very similar every January for nearly 40 years. It works.

And you remind me that it works

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It's always the simplest stuff that works, I've found :)

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Wowowow Anna, I love this for you! Have you visited Joshua Tree in the US? Highly recommend for getting the creative juices flowing while having a restful, spiritual experience + connection with nature, and star-gazing! It’s my favorite place to visit for a slow 2-3 day stay just outside of Los Angeles. I have an Airbnb rec if you’re interested!

I’m working with a similar outline for the year with the quarterly breakdown and paring down a few things to focus on. Really good reminder about not doing too many things all at once, otherwise, nothing actually gets done! Thank you again for the insightful post. Sending you lots of good vibes your way and wishing you an amazing 2025! Also need that Lego set haha

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I’ve never been to Joshua Tree but it’s high on the list! What’s on your 2025 shortlist of focuses?

Omg if you like Lego then get this set! It was so fun 😂

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Oh you’ll love Joshua Tree! I hope you have an opportunity to visit.

For my artwork, there’s a number of sales I’m targeting this year on my Etsy shop and to do (1) art show in a major city. I picked up “diversifying income” from you and will grow my photography biz. Then personally I’d like to learn French and drive a manual!

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Sounds like a plan ❤️‍🔥

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Anna, have you talked before about why you don’t monetize your substack?

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I haven’t gone into detail about my reasoning, should I write about it? 👀

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Obsessed with this breakdown! Also, I did NOT know you love lego so much!! We must discuss, I think I love you more now...

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Hahaha I’m lego obsessed, it’s a problem 😂🥰

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Such a cool Lego set, Anna! 😍 And I love your idea to “choose a word”, there is power in such concision

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Thank you! What would your word be, if you chose one?

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My word is “Build”, Anna - perhaps a bit generic, but personally resonant and relevant to my 2025, as I prioritize other areas of life than I did in 2024 ☺️ “Release” was a close contender, too!

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Build is a great word, it was retrospectively my word for 2024!

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Nice one, Anna! Funny how sometimes the “theme” of the year snaps into focus retroactively, despite upfront intention-setting. Sometimes you just have to feel your way through it!

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Amazing Anna - love all the things and you’ve definitely found product market fit. Love the clear progression from word, goals to habits and definitely agree that it’s here that the successful outcomes are built. I also think gratitude plays a huge part in these types of goals actualising which is so evident too.

So happy for you for all the success you’ve had last year and looking forward to the end of year write up where you’ve smashed these ones too.

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Thanks gorgeous! So lovely to have you in my orbit 🥰

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Lovely! I’ve created something similar for myself only focusing on three annual focuses broken down into 12 week planning blitz with daily habits I track that don’t always align with the annual goals, but benefit my life overall

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Very similar! Love it

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Happy to see my plan has elements of your plan, I must be on the right lines! 🤗

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Nice! Which parts?!

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I have a word, I have a vision (to be fully booked). I have broken my goal down into daily/weekly habits. I have a habit tracker and a year planner on the wall. Aiming for consistency and connection, aligned with my values (my word is Align ✨) The year has started positively so I'm excited for it to continue!

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Love this ❤️

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