Set sustainable resolutions and plan for success!
The year is coming to an end, and you absolutely can’t wait to plan for the new year. But where do you even begin?
Most of us start the new year with loads of resolutions, goals and plans – only to then abandon them by approximately mid-January.
If you don’t want another year of either forgotten plans or unrealistic goals and pressure, this one is for you. Here’s how to plan a successful and fun new year ahead. So, grab a pen and paper and let’s set you up for a fantastic 12 months!
1. Celebrate this year’s achievements
First things first: Have you even stopped to celebrate all your memories and achievements of this year? You deserve to be proud of yourself for them, even if your biggest achievement is literally just making it through the year.
Make a list of all the goals you’ve ticked, memories you made and lessons you learned. Take a moment to soak it all up, maybe even pop a bottle of bubbly. Cheers to you!
2. Define the vibe
Before setting specific goals, think about how you want the next 12 months of your life to feel. What vibes are you striving for?
Some examples can be:
- Happy and joyful
- Peaceful and relaxed
- Successful
- Filled with growth
- Wild and free
- Calm and stable
Consider what you need the most right now. It may be some peace and stability after a challenging phase of life, or a time of uncertainty and freedom in search of your next big adventure.
You may want to choose an overarching motto for the new year that goes along with this. I like to pick one or a few words, such as “balance”, “thrive” or “do it for the plot”, as my year’s motto.
3. Dream big
After defining the overarching feeling you want to achieve for next year, it’s time to set your goals.
Grab a journal, your phone notes or wherever you want to note them down and find a place that feels inspiring to you. This may be your bed, a park bench or a coffee shop. I personally prefer a café with a nice view where I can let my thoughts wander.
Once you’re ready, make a list of all the areas of your life. Some examples are:
- Career
- Health
- Education
- Fun and adventure
- Personal projects
- Finances
- Relationships
- Relaxation and peace
- Family
Now with your previously defined word, motto or feeling in mind, write down your wildest dreams, hopes and goals for each life area for the next year. Don’t let yourself be limited by doubts or concerns. It doesn’t need to be realistic yet.
4. Prioritize your goals and resolutions
Look at your goals and dreams for next year and choose your area(s) of focus. Which ones are the most important to you? Put a little star next to them.
Now, consider if your goals are realistic or if any of your intentions collide. Maybe training for a marathon, writing your masters thesis and travelling the world are not all compatible within twelve months.
If you see that you have to make compromises, start in the areas that are not your area of focus. And don’t forget: Just because you won’t do it next year, doesn’t mean you won’t later. Write down postponed ideas for later so you don’t forget about them.
Make sure to also plan fun things, such as trips, activities with friends and alone-time. All these are resolutions, too!
5. Plan the new year
Now that you know what you can realistically achieve in a year, it’s time to get out your calendar and actually plan. Note down trips, events, and goals for the respective months.
This is where you translate your dreams into action, so take your time. If needed, break down you plans into smaller steps. What do you want to do and when?
For example, if it’s my goal to host a Christmas dinner for my friends, I need to start planning that in November. So I will put “plan Friends-mas” into my calendar for November. Similarly, you can block weekly “me-time” in your calendar, if that’s your intention.
The goal of this is to ensure that the months don’t rush by while you forget to make your dreams happen.
6. Plan monthly check-ins
In order to not forget about what really matters to you, plan a monthly check-in. At the beginning or end of each month I like to sit down and plan my goals, fun and events for the upcoming weeks. I also look at my goals and resolutions for the year to align my actions with my dreams.
7. Bring on the bubbly
Yes, you read that right. My favourite way to be reminded of my goals and remember to actually pause and celebrate them is to buy bubbly in advance.
For each goal, I buy one bottle of bubbly (go for mini-bottles in case you want to spend less). Using a permanent marker, I then write my goals on the respective bottles and keep them somewhere visible in my flat. Whenever I achieve a goal, the bubbly is already there to celebrate it.
This way, I’m always reminded that it’s just a matter of time until I achieve what I want.
I hope that you now feel inspired and ready to plan for a fantastic new year ahead. Don’t forget: The most important thing is that you don’t overwhelm yourself but feel truly excited about your plans. If you don’t love them, change them. It’s all in your hands!
Love,
Carola
