Imagine it’s 12 months from now. You actually achieved all the things you set out to do, and you’re feeling proud of yourself and excited for the future. Sounds amazing, right? The best part is – it doesn’t have to be a dream.
Today, we’ll walk through a simple three-step process to set your goals and design your year so you can achieve everything you want without burnout or giving up.
Step 1: Identify What You Really Want
Many of us set goals based on what we think will make us happy – things like promotions, a nicer car, or a bigger house. But often, we chase these goals without questioning if they truly align with our values. The result? We achieve them but feel unfulfilled.
Instead of defaulting to the same old goals, take a step back and redefine your version of success with these three activities:
Activity 1: Reflect on When You Felt Truly Alive
Think back over the past year. When were you happiest, most excited, or proud of yourself? Write down three key moments and look for patterns. Were you with particular people? Developing skills? Doing something just for fun? Identifying these themes will give you clues about what truly fulfills you.
Activity 2: Create a Reverse Bucket List
Instead of listing what you want to do, reflect on the most meaningful things you’ve already done in your life. What made those moments special?
Understanding why these experiences mattered can help you align future goals with what genuinely fulfills you.
Activity 3: Define Your Core Values
When my tabletop gaming website started earning more than my corporate salary, I thought I’d feel fulfilled. And I did… for a while. But soon, I felt restless. To figure out why, I used this exercise:
- Search online for a list of values or grab mine at emilyfable.com/values-list.
- Choose 20 values that resonate with you.
- Narrow them down to 10, then to your top 5.
Use these values as a filter for setting goals. If your goals align with your core values, you’ll feel a stronger sense of fulfillment when you achieve them.
Step 2: Remove Barriers to Success
Now that you’re clear on what matters most, let’s make space for your goals – both practically and mentally.
Activity 1: Clear Your Calendar
You have limited time, and your schedule is likely filled with obligations that may not align with your values. Look at a typical week or month and find one thing you can eliminate.
For example:
- If you spend hours cleaning for the sake of social expectations but “clean enough” is good enough for you, set a time limit.
- If you meet friends often but it’s preventing progress toward your goals, consider reducing meetups.
Activity 2: Reframe Your Inner Critic
Even if you clear your schedule, your inner voice might still hold you back. It might say things like, “I’m not smart enough to start my own business” or “I don’t have time to exercise.” Here’s how to challenge those thoughts:
Test the statement
Ask yourself: Is this true? What’s the evidence for and against it?
Give it a name
Calling your inner critic something like “Judgy Judy” can make it feel less powerful.
Reframe the thought
Change “I’m not good enough” to “I’m learning and improving every day.”
Turn down the volume
Imagine physically turning down its voice and turning up your inner cheerleader instead.
Step 3: Design a Year That Inspires Action
Now that you have clarity and space, let’s turn your goals into an actionable plan. Choose one or more of these strategies to make your goals achievable:
Activity 1: Use the Wheel of Life
This tool gives you a holistic view of your life. Draw a circle and divide it into 6-12 sections (e.g., health, career, relationships). Rate each area from 1-10, then set goals to improve lower-rated areas while maintaining what’s already going well.
I’ve customized my Wheel of Life template over the last 15 years, you can download it for free.
Activity 2: Break Goals into Small Steps
A 2007 study found that people who not only wrote down their goals but also created specific action plans were more likely to succeed.
For example:
If your goal is to earn $1,000/month from a side hustle, break it down into small steps like:
- Think of a business idea
- Buy a domain
- Set up a website
- Write the homepage content
Breaking goals down makes them more manageable and helps you see if they’re realistic within a year.
Activity 3: Schedule an Ideal Week
Start with your “ideal week.” Where do your goals fit in? Often, this exercise reveals time constraints, prompting you to prioritize.
Even 30 minutes a day adds up – 2.5 hours per week, 10 hours per month, and 120 hours per year.
Look for moments to integrate goal-oriented activities:
- Work on a side project during lunch breaks.
- Catch up with loved ones while commuting or walking the dog.
- Learn through podcasts or audiobooks while doing chores.
Activity 4: Use a Yearly Overview
Finally, map out your year.
Add vacations, weddings, and major commitments first. Then, set goal-related milestones throughout the year so you’re not cramming everything into December.
Seeing your year laid out like this makes one thing clear: time is limited. If you make a commitment to yourself, do your best to keep it. Life will always throw unexpected challenges your way, so prioritize your goals while you can.
Ready to Make This Your Best Year?
Setting goals is one thing. Sticking to them is another.
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