The new year is a fresh slate on which to record upcoming goals. Of course, in the past, silly goals like learning to sing in French or reducing BMI in half by February have been included. With focus and planning, this year will be different because we’ll actually do it.
So, let’s kick off the goal-setting party in the most 2025 way possible—by acknowledging that goals are a lot like New Year’s Eve plans: they sound great in theory, but the execution is a different story. Here are some tips for setting and achieving goals this year, with a healthy mix of sarcasm, humor, and, hopefully, a little wisdom.
We all know the drill: the year begins with lofty dreams. You’ll definitely write that novel, learn to cook gourmet meals (beyond scrambled eggs), and give up coffee. But instead of aiming for perfection, let’s shoot for progress. You want to write a novel? After creating the all important outline, plan to write 500 words a week. Calendar all deadlines, keeping to your plan and before you know it, you’ll be at your first book signing.
No one ever achieved greatness by thinking, “Hey, I’m going to do a huge thing right now.” Sure, Elon Musk didn’t wake up one day and say, “I’m going to Mars,” but probably started by designing his first really fast car. Break your big goal into small, manageable steps. Want to run a marathon? Start by jogging to the end of the street and back while deciding if jogging is something you even enjoy.
Sometimes, the best way to make sure you stick to a goal is to make it absurdly easy. Instead of saying, “I’ll meditate for an hour every morning,” aim for 5 minutes. Five minutes is easy enough that you can’t use “I’m too busy” as an excuse. Then, when you realize how great you feel, you’ll may find yourself doing more. Or not. But hey, at least you didn’t fail completely!
Traditional accountability partners are friends who will remind you that you said you’d start eating healthier. So, just WHY are you eating pizza at 11pm on a Tuesday? This year, let’s get a little more creative. Try setting up a goal tracker that’s actually fun! Maybe you design a reward system where you earn lunch out for every 5 “mini-goals” met. Everyone can use a little reward once in a while.
The truth is, no one has a perfect track record when it comes to goals. You’ll miss a workout session. You’ll eat an entire bag of chips instead of that healthy snack you promised yourself. You’ll probably forget your French lessons for three months. Little setbacks are expected and okay. The important thing is to get back on track. If you fail, do it with flair. Then, get up, dust off, and try again.
Celebrating the little wins is critical. Finished reading a book? Give yourself a high-five. Went to the gym for 15 minutes? Reward yourself with something small, like an extra episode of your favorite show. It’s about progress, not perfection.
The tools available today can actually help achieve goals faster than ever before. Use a habit-tracking app, find inspirational YouTube channels, or binge-watch motivational TED talks. Useful information surrounds us. We only need to do a Google search to find motivational answers.
In the end, setting and achieving goals is all about consistency. You don’t need to change your life overnight. Improving 1% each day will mean accomplishments will wait for you at year’s end. Set that goal to run a marathon, write a bestseller, or drink more water (because hydration is key). Just remember: the best part of achieving goals is when you look back and realize how far you’ve come. And then maybe treat yourself to that pizza. You will have earned it.
