In 2024, we’re approaching goals the right way. Instead of writing broad, elusive goals with no action plan to support them, we will be intentional and strategic in order to accomplish the things we want. Realistically, this is easier said than done. During the first few weeks of the year, a lot of us are filled with energy and motivation to change our lives for the better. And then school or work starts again and we are reminded of all the different things that require our attention. These demands can often distract us — and cause us to either forget the goals we had set, or give up when they start to feel unreachable. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
When done right, the goal-setting process can allow us to stay both motivated and accountable. If you’re wondering how to keep your new year’s resolution past January, know that it is possible, and it doesn’t have to be torture, either. To better understand this, I reached out to licensed therapist and author of Get Out of Your Own Way: 21 Days to Stop Self Sabotage, Brittany A. Johnson, and Dr. Megan Piesman, PhD, a psychologist in New York City.
Self-reflect on your past progress.
Before you write out all the things you want to do this year, think back to how you did in the year prior. Take out a journal and reflect on the goals you had set and the approach you took to accomplish them. “To set achievable goals, it is important to look at your history with achieving goals first,” Johnson tells Her Campus.
If you find that you give up when things start to get complicated, it might be helpful to take note of this. Try to find the root of the problem and use this knowledge to help you this time around. Johnson continues, “Based on that information, you can then set your goals in levels. [The] top level is the big goal, and then work down to the steps you would need to take to reach the big goal.”
While reflecting on the progress you made last year, it’s also important to not judge yourself if you find that you accomplished less than you wanted to. Piesman explains that when you find the negative patterns that hinder your progress, “replace self-criticism with self-encouragement, emphasizing the positive aspects of your efforts and acknowledging that setbacks are opportunities for learning and improvement.”
Clarify your values.
A game-changer that helped me create goals I genuinely cared to accomplish was thinking about all the things that mattered to me. Instead of writing something like “learn how to code” because a friend of mine is a really good coder and I thought it seemed cool, I instead asked myself, “What am I genuinely interested in learning and getting better at?” That led me to start embroidering, and my deep interest in the craft kept me motivated to keep practicing it.
“Set goals that resonate with what truly matters to you,” Piesman tells Her Campus. When you do so, working towards the goal will feel less like a chore. “Clearly define [them] and ensure [that] they are measurable,” she adds. Broad goals such as “write a book this year” or “start a business” are less likely to keep you motivated. Instead, get specific. What kind of book do you want to write? How many pages are you aiming for? What is it about? Answering these questions while setting goals will make it easier for your future self to get started on accomplishing them.
Break large goals into small tasks.
Once you’ve written a goal, the next step is to break it down into smaller, more actionable steps. “By setting smaller goals under the big goal umbrella, it allows you to set up small wins to maintain your positive mindset,” Johnson says. Going back to our book example, if the goal is to write a romance novel with at least 300 pages, some small steps could include: making character or theme mood boards on Pinterest, writing 20 pages a week, and keeping a journal of ideas so you can remember all the smaller plots in the bigger story.
Piesman shares that breaking larger goals into small steps “helps in preventing feelings of overwhelm and facilitates a more structured and achievable path to the ultimate objective.”
Embrace the journey.
There are 366 days in 2024. That said, not accomplishing all your goals by December is not the end of the world. Putting pressure on ourselves to accomplish everything as soon as we set the goal is both unrealistic and unhealthy for our minds. Instead, treat your resolutions and goals as journeys. The smaller tasks under each goal are simply fuels to keep us going — even when hiccups occur.
“Direct your attention towards the process rather than fixating solely on the outcome,” Piesman advises. “Recognize that challenges are inherent to any journey, and it’s through overcoming these obstacles that meaningful growth occurs.” Additionally, if you have time-sensitive goals, prioritizing those first might help you feel less overwhelmed.
As students and professionals, it can be hard to stay motivated. If you feel this way, bringing an accountability partner onto this journey with you can keep you in check and make sure you do what needs to be done. As Piesman explains, “Sharing your aspirations and challenges with a positive social network provides a valuable source of motivation and reinforces your commitment to your goals.” So, call up your bestie right now and make a promise to help each other stay on track.
Celebrate milestones.
One thing about me is that I love a good reward. When I complete my to-do list or do the most dull assignment ever, I often treat myself to some ice cream or candy. Though it may seem small, doing these little things keeps me motivated to keep going. This is the energy we should have towards our goals. Whether you’ve completed a small task or a larger goal, celebrating milestones will allow you to acknowledge the progress you’ve made and allow you to feel proud of yourself. Johnson says, “Celebrating small victories will help strengthen your positive mindset and your desire to continue pushing forward.”
It’s also just a great feeling to admit to yourself that you are doing well so far, even if the task you accomplish seems small. “Recognize that each step forward, no matter how small, contributes significantly to the overall success of our goals,” Piesman adds. And as such, they deserve to be celebrated.
So now that we know how to properly go about setting and achieving our goals, let’s make 2024 our best year yet!