Every year, we tell ourselves that next year, we’ll get better. We’ll get better grades, we’ll be more consistent, we’ll get in shape. But, we never seem to achieve our goals. It’s time to reexamine the way we get ready for the new year and optimise it so that you can make 2024 your year!
Review 2023
I’ve made an entire reel about this on my Instagram (go check it out!), but reviewing the past year is the most crucial part of preparing for 2024. Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. Knowing how 2023 went not only prevents you from repeating the same mistakes, but also allows you to spot patterns and identify your strengths.
Crack open your journal and answer the following questions:
- What did I set out to accomplish?
- Did I do everything I wanted to? Why / why not?
- What strategies worked / didn’t work?
- What areas of my life did I focus on? Was this good?
Here’s a link to a couple more self-reflection questions that might help you!
Decide what you want 2024 to be like
Keep your journal open – we’re now going to consider your future. Imagine you had all the time, money, and willpower in the world. Pretend there are absolutely no obstacles. What do you want to achieve in 2024, in this ideal scenario? Write this down in your journal, preferably in a column right next to your 2023 review.
Spot the difference to set goals
Note down the differences between your 2023 and your ideal 2024. Choose a couple of areas to focus on, and create goals based on that. Make sure your goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. This post has more in-depth about making SMARTer goals! When making your goals, do remember that you probably will face some obstacles, so ensure they’re a good balance of ambitious and achievable.
Make an action plan
Break your goals down into smaller steps: what do you have to achieve each month? Each week? Each day? Figure out what habits you need to perform daily to achieve your goal. How are you going to make it easier for yourself to stick to these habits? Here’s some ideas for some habits to start next year – maybe this will help guide you! Also, make sure to set mini-goals for yourself so that you can track your progress and maintain your motivation.
