Making a list, and checking it twice: Tips for setting your goals

Most of us are in full festive mode this month, both at home and at work. With bustling social calendars, lengthy shopping lists, and sometimes even longer family get-togethers, the holidays can be stressful.  

My wish for you is that you are able to prioritize what matters and enjoy the season more peacefully.  

December is also the time of year that I get reflective, looking back on the year, the highs and lows, and looking ahead to a new year and new possibilities.   

Of course, goal-setting and sticking to your commitments for positive change can be stressful too. That’s why I want to re-share my list of tips and strategies that have worked for me over the years. I shared this list in last December’s newsletter and added a new bonus tip on kindness for 2025!   

Get reflective  

Before you start writing out your list for the new year, consider first reflecting on the year that was. Reflection gives us valuable insight about ourselves, our actions and our goals. What were your significant challenges, successes and learnings for 2024?  

 Get curious and get granular. How exactly was I successful? How did I stick to this new plan, create this new habit, or reach a milestone? Be specific. Also, reflect on setbacks or failures to help you learn from your mistakes, whether they were personal, professional, or financial. 

Some things are out of your control, but what actions or decisions have you made that you would like a do-over on? What are the lessons learned? This will help you to grow, move on and know yourself so you can understand your tendencies and adjust strategies or goals when necessary. 

A new calendar year 

After reflecting on last year, now imagine it’s December of 2025.  

What are the wins that would satisfy you the most? What do you hope will happen, and what do you fear?  

Visualize what you desire, a new promotion, better health, a better place in your relationship, or whatever is important to you. 

Imagine you are reflecting on your most important victory and write down exactly what you did to accomplish it. Limit yourself to two or three realistic and achievable goals. 

Know the why 

When you write down what you want to accomplish over the next year, be clear on the “why.” A lot of times, we are influenced by others. I should have a new car, a bigger home, a better body, or take more trips. 

Ask yourself what is the positive outcome you hope to achieve with this goal and how it will improve your life or the lives of those important to you. Does it align with your values and beliefs?  

Once you know the why, you can really understand why your goal matters and start thinking about the first step in moving towards that. 

Know your goal 

Your 2025 list may include accomplishment-related goals and habit-related goals.  

Accomplishment goals usually require incremental steps, which you need to break down. For example, what must I accomplish in the first quarter to reach that goal?  

If it’s a habit goal, you need to monitor daily or weekly to track your progress, whether it’s a daily 30-minute walk or date night every Thursday.  

If you want to change a habit, I recommend the book Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything, which I have found helpful, and so have many clients.  

The other resource I’d check out is the Full Focus Planner, which I’ve recommended to many clients. It’s an analogue way of achieving your goals by breaking them down into incremental tasks and activities that keep you on track. 

Whether it’s a habit or accomplishment in your sights for 2025, ensure you have some structure to keep your goal setting on track for 365 days. 

Be kind to yourself 

Remember that progress beats perfection. There will be setbacks along the way, so remember to be kind to yourself and focus on progressing throughout the year. It’s OK to recalibrate along the way to make your goals more achievable and avoid putting unnecessary pressure on yourself, leading to frustration and disappointment. And don’t forget to celebrate the wins and milestones, however small or large. This will keep you motivated and help you build confidence and resilience when things don’t always go as planned – which is inevitable!  So be kind to yourself. Bring on 2025!