The Best Time to Set Your 2024 Goals is Now
With 2024 fast approaching, you may be considering what Bold Moves you want to make in the new year.
January often seems like the right time to get started with new goals. Here’s the thing: When you set goals in December, you can begin executing in January—rather than start a week or two behind in your new plans.
Most importantly, this plan gives you time to look back on the past year before you move forward.
Here are three steps to begin your goalsetting process to work toward your big dreams:
Reflect on Where You’ve Been
Before you create goals for the new year, reflect on the last 365 days. Treat yourself to a fancy coffee or tea and the gift of “thinking time.” You may choose to bring along a journal to jot down notes or your computer (though maybe turn off the internet access so you’re not distracted by your inbox.) This is also a perfect opportunity to open up the Letter to Yourself (more about this in my book, One Bold Move a Day) to read through the intentions you set for yourself at the beginning of the year.
Here are three prompts to start with:
1. What were three highlights of the year?
2. When did I feel at my best?
3. When did I wish I could have been doing something else?
The answers will reveal what is meaningful to you, where you get your energy from, and what you may want to lean into more in the next year. By looking at things this way, you may also see patterns emerge, which wouldn’t be as noticeable on their own.
Create Goals that Inspire You
Think through what you want to achieve personally and professionally. It’s good to have a mix of goals to support your growth at work and in life.
In visualizing what you’ll accomplish over the next year, you can set short- and long-term goals. Commit to some unicorn goals, you know, the kind that make your heart flutter a bit and still leap forward with enthusiasm. It might include going for that promotion or signing up for that half marathon.
When you’ve identified the goals that you’d like to focus on, develop a system to achieve them. To make them more attainable, break down each goal into parts and consider what steps or milestones you’ll need to follow.
For example, if your goal is to get promoted in the new year, what do you need to work on to reach this milestone and by when? Then, determine who will be a part of your support system to provide accountability.
Bonus: Put a photo of your goals on your phone lock screen to remind yourself of what matters most every time you pick up your phone. I started doing this in 2022, and it was an amazing way to stay focused and present on what I committed to.
Celebrate Progress
My favorite part of setting goals (besides crushing them, of course!): Celebrating progress. Remember it’s not just about attaining all of your goals. It’s how you honor and enjoy the journey. This is especially important, because it helps you stay present, rather than rushing to the next goal.
This means noticing the everyday wins. Say you have a goal to put yourself out there and connect with more people. Even if you didn’t get a yes for every meeting you requested, you stepped out of your comfort zone more than ever before and followed through. Maybe one person said yes to meeting. Maybe two people. This is progress!
If you set stretch goals, you may not reach all of them. There is still always something to celebrate—and learn.
When you look back one year from now, what do you want your life to look like? Reflect on where you’ve been and plan for where you’re going (and what Bold Moves you’ll make along the way!) and then get started.
Because the best time to create the life you want for yourself is right here and right now.
For all the templates and strategies I use in goal-setting and celebrating progress, pick up a copy of my book, One Bold Move a Day—and get a copy for your bff, too!
Ready to accelerate your growth and achieve a specific, ambitious goal? Learn more about my Bold Move Accelerator program.
This post was originally published in December 2021 and has recently been updated to help you reach you biggest goals this year.