Setting New Year’s Goals?
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start
Every year, I used to sit down and make the same goals. And every year, it felt like a letdown. Here I was, at the end of another year, still wanting to get in shape, save more money, be a better friend/partner/daughter, and figure out what I actually wanted to do with my life.
But this year, something strange happened. The other day, I opened a journal I started at the end of 2023, just before we packed up our lives and moved abroad for 2024. To my surprise, I saw a list of five goals I’d written—and I had accomplished every single one of them. I checked each one off and thought, "This is the first time in 44 years I’ve actually done this!"
What made the difference? A few things: the goals were specific, there was a plan to achieve them, and most importantly—they were mine.
The pressure to create a shiny new version of yourself on January 1 can be overwhelming, and vague resolutions often set us up for burnout and disappointment. Goals without reflection can leave you chasing things that don’t align with who you are or what you truly want.
So before you start scribbling down resolutions, take a step back. These five questions will help you set intentional, sustainable goals for the year ahead—goals that reflect your values, priorities, and the life you really want to create.
1. What am I most proud of from this year?
Start by celebrating your wins. I cannot stress this enough! If you’re starting from a place of frustration, it’s so much harder to move forward with grace and momentum. Big or small, every achievement counts.
Ask yourself:
What moments, decisions, or efforts brought me the most pride this year?
How did those achievements align with my values?
Starting with gratitude for what you’ve already done creates a strong, positive foundation for what comes next.
2. What drained me this year, and how can I release it?
Reflecting on what didn’t serve you is just as important as celebrating what did. Commitments, relationships, habits, or thought patterns that leave you feeling heavy or uninspired need to be addressed so you can create space for growth and alignment.
Ask yourself:
What did I say “yes” to when I really wanted to say “no”?
Which areas of my life felt unfulfilling, overwhelming, or out of alignment?
What can I let go of to create more space for what matters?
What patterns or behaviors are holding me back, and why?
Releasing what drains you is powerful—it clears the path for more joy, energy, and progress in the year ahead.
3. What habits or routines truly supported me?
We often underestimate the quiet power of small habits and routines. They’re the foundation everything else is built on. Maybe it was a morning walk, journaling, consistent sleep, or daily hydration. Identifying what worked for you will help you bring those habits into the new year intentionally.
The key isn’t to overload yourself with new routines but to double down on what’s already working. For me, it’s simple: minimum 7 hours of sleep, healthy and consistent eating, daily movement, staying hydrated, and avoiding crutches—whether that’s endless scrolling, shopping, or distractions like alcohol.
Ask yourself:
Which habits improved my mood, energy, or mindset?
What daily or weekly rituals helped me feel grounded, productive, or calm?
4. What do I want to experience or feel more of in the year ahead?
Instead of starting with specific goals, start with how you want to feel and what you want to experience. Maybe you want more peace, joy, connection, or adventure. Maybe you’re craving less rush and more presence.
Sometimes we chase goals that other people want for us, or we set goals that don’t align with our deeper values. Be honest: Do you want that big promotion, or are you yearning to change careers entirely? Do you want to do what’s required to have six-pack abs, or would you rather focus on being strong, flexible, and healthy?
Ask yourself:
What feelings or experiences do I want to prioritize this year?
If my life felt more aligned, what would be different?
When was I happiest or most fulfilled this year? What brought on those feelings?
5. What small step can I take today to move closer to my vision?
Big changes don’t happen overnight—they’re the result of small, consistent steps. The first step doesn’t need to be big. It just needs to be doable and energizing.
It could be as simple as getting to bed by 10:00 p.m. tonight. Maybe you carve out 30 minutes for journaling each morning through the end of the year (and maybe into 2025!). Or maybe you start walking for two 15-minute breaks a day—starting now.
Ask yourself:
What’s one small action I can take today to move closer to my vision?
How can I focus on progress, not perfection, and build momentum?
What kind of person would I need to become to achieve the life I want? What do they do each day?
Why Reflection Leads to Better Goals
Taking time to reflect before you set goals is more than a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Reflection helps you identify what truly matters to you, not what society, your family, or your Instagram feed says you should do. Grounding your goals in your values is the key to creating a life that feels fulfilling and aligned.
Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to set goals that truly matter, I invite you to sign up for my FREE Year-End Reflection & Vision Guide. This simple, step-by-step workbook launches next week and will help you reflect, reset, and move into the new year with clarity and confidence. Let this be the year you create goals that reflect you.
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