New Year, Same Old Ways?

As the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, it ushers in a brand new year, and we all feel that surge of excitement and motivation. The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities and lots of renewed energy, making it the perfect time to set new goals and habits.

In 2024, I decided to write down my goals for the first time in nearly a decade. To my wildest surprise, simply writing down my goals helped me achieve more than half of them. It's easy to underestimate the power of writing down your goals, but this simple act can be a game-changer. Visualising or documenting your goals is a key step in making them a reality. I love the saying, “What you cannot measure, you cannot track”. Even without meticulously tracking my progress in 2024, I saw remarkable results. This year, I'm aiming even higher by adding a layer of taking measurements and rewards to my goal-setting process. I can only imagine the possibilities when you combine clear, well-defined goals with consistent tracking.

It's essential to write down the goals you want to achieve.

Reflections on the Past Year

Before creating new goals, it's crucial to take a step back and reflect on the past year. This doesn't only involve reliving the highs and lows, it's about understanding what worked, what didn't and the learnings from the past year. Here are some key questions you can start by asking yourself: 

• What were my biggest achievements?

• What challenges did I face?

• What habits contributed to success/setbacks?

• What would I do differently?

Taking time to reflect not only provides valuable insights but also helps you approach the new year with clarity and attention. By reflecting, you can build on your successes and make adjustments where necessary.

SMART Goals and Actionable Steps

This year, endeavour not just to set random goals but to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound) goals. This helps in understanding what the goals are, how you want to achieve them and when you want them to be done. For instance, instead of saying, “I want to become fit”,  try making the goal SMART, “I will exercise for 30 minutes three times a week for the next 3 months. This makes your goal:

Specific - Exercising to get fit

Measurable - 30 minutes of exercise

Achievable - Three times a week (going from no exercise to daily exercise is a lot)

Relevant - To the goal of getting fit 

Time Bound - 3 months timeline

Once you've outlined the goal, get them out of your head and put them in writing in a journal, on paper, or through a digital app. The big goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them into smaller, more actionable steps makes them achievable.

Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated

When tracking our goals, it is very important to track your progress (define what progress is for you) regularly. This keeps you on course and allows you to celebrate small wins along the way. If something isn't working, don't be afraid to adjust your plan.

Staying motivated is easy when you have accountability partners to share your goals with trusted friends and don't forget to reward yourself for hitting milestones - it's a great way to stay motivated. If you’re looking to get started on planning, you can download this planner I specifically created to help me achieve all my goals this year.

Have an amazing 2025!

Love always,

Molola Akinleye