About 18 months ago, I shared about creating my Anticipation Station, or the calendar in Asana where I list upcoming events that I’m looking forward to. Since this is still going strong, I thought I would offer an update on this strategy, which really helps me to stay positive and motivated even in the midst of stressful times.

As a reminder, this calendar includes:

  • Movies or shows that are releasing on a certain date (for example, I often read books because they are being adapted into films or shows, so now I can mark when they are releasing so I don’t forget to check them out)
  • Books that are releasing on a certain date (since I read a lot of series books, it helps me to see when the latest book in a series is releasing so I can add them to my library hold list)
  • Milestones on the Peloton app like when I earn new badges for weekly streaks (these reminders serve as great motivations to keep the streaks going!)
  • Days that I’m taking off of work (the calendar view also helps me to see the frequency of my days off and when I have large amounts of time without a break scheduled)
  • Dates when new Kindle challenges release (Kindle has quarterly challenges that have time released tasks to complete related to reading — I like to note when new challenges are being posted)
  • Work anniversaries (even after 3+ years in, I think that every month that passes at my job is an important milestone since I’m learning so much with every passing week)

As the year is starting to wrap up, I thought it might be fun to share some of the things that I’m looking forward to before the end of 2024:

  • A book called Sunlight by Devney Perry is releasing in October (I read the first book in this series earlier this year)
  • On the first of each month I check out new monthly deals on Kindle and Audible (I also download the “First Reads” free ebook on Amazon)
  • A book called The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent releases in November (I’m planning to re-read the first two books in this trilogy in November before I read the most recent one)
  • I’ll be achieving 20k minutes in the Peloton app in November
  • I have vacation scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving and over the winter break
  • The Q4 Kindle reading challenges are getting revealed throughout November and December
  • December will mark one year in my interim leadership role (wow, that time went by quickly!)
  • A book called Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson releases in December (I’ve read all the other books in this series and I’m excited to dive into this last installment)

I’m sure there are many things I will add to this list in the coming months. What are some of the fun things you are anticipating through the end of this calendar year?