Starting a new year can feel overwhelming but it’s all about how to reflect on last year and set goals for the new year. Time to move forward. Ironically, a powerful way to do that is to start with self-reflection.
So, set aside time to assess your personal and professional development over the past year and use that to determine your future path. No judgment, no guilt.
Goal Setting Isn’t for Everyone – To Set Goals or Not
First, there are a lot of theories about goal setting. Setting goals is a hot trend. And not setting goals is a hot trend. This doesn’t even cover resolutions! After all, New Year’s resolutions often fall flat with very few people actually achieving goals set at this time of year. In fact, studies have shown that less that 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them.
No matter whether you follow the mainstream adages about goals and resolutions or not, there is no denying that it’s a good feeling to start the new year with a clean slate and some direction of what you want to achieve.
On one hand, the problem is that people succumb to pressure to kick off lofty goals on January 1 and therefore, those objectives are often not grounded in reality. We are a society compelled to achieve more and more but it’s always good to remember that without realistic goals and some planning to achieve them, overwhelm can kick in.
Full disclaimer here: I am a goal setter and a goal achiever. It works for me even if it doesn’t work for others. Thus, I have spent years honing this process and fully attribute my success to following it (along with a lot of hard work too!)
Use These Questions to Increase Your Chance of Goal Setting Success
Here are questions to drive that process and ultimately, increase your chances of success. Grab pen and paper and don’t censor yourself. You don’t have to share this with anyone but you!
- What did I set out to achieve in 2022 and did I do everything possible to support myself in achieving those goals? If not, what can I change?
- What worked in 2022? Did I take time to celebrate those successes?
- What gave me pleasure in 2022?
- What was missing? Does it matter that it was missing?
- What were my roadblocks and how can I overcome them? Did something or someone hold me back in 2022?
- Did I reach my financial targets? If not, why not? How can I have a different outcome and financial success in 2022?
- Who inspired me in my professional life? How can I build a meaningful connection with that person in 2022?
- What are my values? Is what I created last year in alignment with those values? Have my values changed in some way as I start the new year?
The Power of Setting a Theme or Word
A motivational ritual is to set a word or theme to catapult you through the coming year. Did something jump out in your answers to the above questions? Ask yourself this: “When I’m standing here on December 31, 2023, what does my life look like?” Your theme might resonate through that visualization and when that happens, it is clear as day! Using that word or theme throughout the year will keep you grounded and on track to achieving your goals and targets.
So what do you want to achieve in 2023? Take those introspective answers to the above questions and write down clear and realistic goals. To avoid seeing your goals fizzle, break them down into smaller, achievable steps and schedule them in your calendar throughout the year to keep you on track.
We All Need Help Now and Again
And if you want to delve deeper, you can download my popular ‘Set Your Intentions for Your Best Life’ online course. This self-directed mini course is updated with fresh content, online instruction and worksheets that will guide you to chart your own course. Plus, me as your cheerleader to guide you through it all step-by-step.
I’d love to know: How are you feeling about making plans for 2023? Inspired or maybe reluctant with hopes that things will get back to normal soon? Put your 2023 word or theme in the comments below or even better, share it on my social channels. Just look for my Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn post with a joyful photo of me on a diving board and tell me your word or theme!
Here’s to a year of peace, good health and happiness. Happy New Year!