Five Goal Setting Strategies for the New Year

Written by Marly DiFruscio

As we quickly draw closer to ending another year, the allure of changes, new goals, new habits, and more start to occur. However, that can quickly become overwhelming if you aren’t prepared to reflect on your previous year and have set strategies for setting goals for the new one. Transitioning into the upcoming year isn’t just a calendar shift or a need to begin anew; it’s an opportunity to reflect on previous accomplishments and lessons learned, to envision new goals, and create a strategic roadmap towards personal professional growth. Here are some goal-setting strategies to set you up for success in 2024:

1. Reflect and Realign

Before diving headfirst into new goals or habits, take the time to be mindful, reflect on the year you’ve had, and ask yourself these questions: What did you accomplish this year? What achievements can you celebrate? What are your lessons learned? What setbacks did you have to face? Were your goals strategically created? Were your goals met? Realign with yourself, your purpose, and your values, and then take all of these answers into consideration when moving forward for your 2024 goals.

2. Embrace SMART Goals

Goals aren’t just wishful thinking or lofty dreams; it’s about creating a strategic, concrete plan of action that will challenge you to complete them. SMART goals will push you further, give you a sense of direction, and help you organize and reach your goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This method provides you with a structured approach that allows you increased clarity and feasibility. SMART goals can also help you break your goals down into manageable and actionable tasks and steps that will drive you towards your desired outcome.

3. Dare to Dream: Embrace Risky Goals

If you want to push yourself a step forward, you may want to consider taking on some risky goals. Realistic, achievable goals are comforting and will allow you the satisfaction of completion, but they may not challenge you. In fact, goal researches have documented a direct relationship between the difficulty of our goals and the likelihood we’ll achieve them. These risky goals will challenge your boundaries, spark innovation, foster resilience and a growth mindset, and increase your satisfaction in completing the goal. 

4. Cultivate Adaptability

Flexibility is key in the journey towards achieving your goals. Life is unpredictable (see COVID-19), and circumstances can change in ways you couldn’t even imagine. Be open to adjusting your goals when necessary. It’s not about abandoning what you’ve set for yourself, but about recalibrating your approach to stay aligned through change. Like risky goals, the ability to change in the face of adversity will foster resilience in your life and contribute to your growth mindset.

5. Foster Accountability and Support

Accountability acts as a catalyst in goal attainment. Share your goals with a friend, mentor, coach, or coworker. Engage yourself in a supportive community that provides encouragement, feedback, and a sense of responsibility to your goals. This might look like a quarterly check in with your partner, or just sharing a document of your goals with someone else. Keep in mind, the more often you check in with your goals and your accountability partner, the more likely you are to receive important feedback and maintain the encouragement necessary to continue.

In 2024, take the time to give yourself so much more when it comes to goal-setting, and be strategic about it! Move into the new year with a sense of purpose, accountability, and determination. Being intentional and actionable will take you to new heights that you might not have reached in previous years with your goals. 

Happy New Year friends, and here’s to a new year filled with audacious dreams, purposeful actions, and meaningful accomplishments!