For many of us, the pressure of “new year, new you” propaganda makes January a horrible time to set goals or make changes. The good news is we don't need a holiday to start living healthier or making better decisions. All you need is today… Or tomorrow.
Perhaps timing is not the challenge, but you have so many ideas that you need help figuring out where to begin. If that's the case, use these goal-starter ideas to choose which direction(s) you want to go. These are big-picture aspirations – not something you can do overnight. Read on to see which ones resonate with you. We use Mission Board areas to make it easier to track in your planner.
Health
- Drink more water
- Wake up earlier
- Become a morning person
- Drink less alcohol
- Take better care of your teeth
- Eat more mindfully
- Get more sleep
- Learn to take naps
- Walk for 15 minutes after each meal
Home
- Create an emergency kit or “Go” bag (for evacuations)
- Stick to laundry schedule
- Iron!
- Schedule heating and air conditioning maintenance; consider upgrading to energy efficiency
- Declutter rooms; organize pantries and closets
Me Time
- Have more fun
- Learn to say No and create boundaries
- Practice meditation daily
- Stick to a planning schedule
- Cut down on screen time
Financial
- Make a budget
- Get out of debt
- Cut down on stress-spending or impulse buys
- Is it time for a new bank?
- Replace expensive habits or indulges with wallet-friendly activities.
Dream Big
- Open your heart to life events (marriage, children, elder care)
- Launch a business or a passion project
- Go back to school or enroll in a class
- Travel to a bucket-list destination
Work
- Ask for a raise.
- Get certified in something (Did you know you can become a certified journaling coach?)
- Apply for a new job or promotion.
- Commit to networking in your industry at least once this year.
- Keep a running Brag List of things you've accomplished (it's perfect for your annual self-evaluation, resume, or LinkedIn profile).
You can make resolutions at any time of year, so if January has come and gone without a single goal set or achieved, know that it's always possible to start anew. Take the first step and brainstorm your mission(s) for 2024 in your planner today.