Another year has come and gone. Goals for the New Year usually start without a hitch. You buy all the necessary workout gear, purge old belongings, sign up to volunteer, or enroll in classes to further your education. Just a few weeks after the New Year, things are going well as you fulfill your newfound goals. But what happens in two to three months when the newness of your goal wears off and you find yourself falling back into habits from last year? Maybe you aren’t the problem; maybe goals you set did not align with the true you. Perhaps the goals you chose did not reflect your true personality thus leading to an unfinished goal.
My goals for 2016 were a little lofty – to name a couple: I wanted to read 30 books and volunteer at 10 organizations. I finished 11 books last year and volunteered regularly at 2 local organizations. One of the things I learned about myself during the process is that I overcommit myself and I need a plan of action, preferably written.
The more we know about ourselves, the easier it is for us to select goals. Also, it helps to be concise when making realistic goals and a little broader with goals that may take more than the year ahead. Take a look back at last year and evaluate your habits and interests to see where your areas of opportunities lie. Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you map out goals for 2017:
- What were my goals for 2016? Did I achieve those goals?
- What did I learn in 2016? What failures and successes did I have?
- What was I happy/unhappy about from last year and why?
- Did my health improve in 2016? Why or why not?
- Who did I spend the most time with in 2016?
- What is my relationship status with these people? Negative? Positive?
- What improvements in myself were influenced by these people?
- How can I develop these relationships as well as make positive additions to my circle in 2017?
- How did I show my love to those closest to me?
- What books did I read in 2016? How did these impact my way of thinking in 2017?
- What knowledge do I want to gain in 2017?
- How did I manage my money in 2016?
- What can I do in 2017 that will enhance my financial state?
- How was my emotional state during 2016?
- What negative habits did I inherit in 2016? What will my resolution be to get me on track for 2017?
- How busy was I in 2016? Did I have enough time for everyone in my life as well as myself?
- What can I do in 2017 to be present when I am with friends, family, or alone?
- What am I committed to changing in 2017? Why? When? How?
Once you assess how last year went you can begin to work on how to improve for this year. Even if 2016 didn’t pan out the way you had planned, that’s okay! Take some time to answer the above questions and figure out what you want to improve upon in 2017. Decide on goals that feed your passions and amplify your true self. Try to avoid aiming for goals that please others. Do something for yourself, even if it goes against the grain!
I hope this list helps you seek out goals that fuel the true you. Comment below with any additional questions to supplement this list so all readers can have the chance to make 2017 the best year ever!
