Setting New Year’s Goals for 2025
I’m the type of person who makes a list every day. I’m very goal-oriented, and I genuinely enjoy the process of working toward exciting objectives. There’s something fun about the challenge and the sense of accomplishment when a goal is achieved.
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
For many years, I enthusiastically wrote out my goals before New Year’s Eve, only to forget about them by February when life inevitably got busy, and I decided that those goals should go in my “too hard pile.” By the end of the year, I’d feel disappointed, realizing I hadn’t achieved what I set out to do. Sound familiar?
A couple of years ago, I tried a different method for goal setting, and it changed the way I approached my New Year’s resolutions. It was a lightbulb moment when I realized why I struggled to stick with my goals: I wasn’t considering them holistically in the context of my entire life, including my priorities and values.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
Below, I’ve detailed my method for planning my New Year’s goals. It involves reflecting on the current year and then planning goals for the new year. This is what my husband and I will be working through over the next few days to align our goals and ensure we’re on the same page.
Steps to Reflect on 2024
Before setting goals for 2025, take time to reflect on the past year:
- Consider your overall personal priorities & values.
- Evaluate different aspects of your life, such as:
- Family & relationships
- Work & hobbies
- Finances
- Health & wellness
- Fun & self-care
- Faith
- Other areas unique to you
- Ask yourself these questions:
- What worked well in 2024?
- What were the highlights of this year?
- What didn’t work in 2024?
- What needs to change?
- What would make next year truly great?
- What are you most grateful for this year?
- What new habits or routines do you want to establish?
- What are your future dreams and vision for your life?
- What truly matters to you?
- What are your top three priorities for the upcoming year?
Steps to Set Goals for 2025
Now that you’ve reflected on the past year, it’s time to set your goals for 2025.
- Draft your initial goals. This is just a rough draft—don’t overthink it.
- Ask yourself some questions:
- Can this goal realistically be achieved?
- Does this goal align with my priorities and values?
- Does this goal conflict with any other personal goals?
- What changes do I need to make in my life to achieve this goal?
- Why do I need this goal?
- Rate each goal based on its importance to you.
- Identify the tools, resources, or support you’ll need to accomplish this goal.
- Finalize your goals: Write out your revised list in detail. For each goal, add some extra details. For example:
- What is the goal?
- Aspect of life it pertains to:
- Metrics to measure success:
- Priority level:
- Tools, resources, support:
- Why do you need to achieve this goal?:
As you set your goals for 2025, remember to approach them with grace and adaptability. Life happens, and it’s okay to adjust your plans as needed.
I’m looking forward to setting my goals now and praying about them.
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended to serve as professional advice. Please take into account your unique circumstances and use this as only a starting point for your own journey.
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Love this Jus, very accurate and timely 💕