I have always been somewhat on on the fence when it comes to goals. I know some people found the idea of setting goals, particularly at New Year quite jarring. Looking back, sometimes I have found myself to be in a good place having not set goals. other times, I think I have probably missed opportunities.

I wrote about goals in one of my earlier blogs back in April, following on from a previous post about values.

What I have definitely learned is that the most important thing about goals is that if you are going to set goals, it is vital that you make sure they are the right goals for you. Looking back, where things haven’t gone well or I have found myself to be unhappy, I realise now that I had been pursuing the wrong goals. These were often goals that I thought I ought to have, or that were expected of me (or so I thought). Often these goals were not in line with my values, or my purpose, or were just not right for me at the time.

It may take some time to find the right goals, and self coaching or speaking to a coach can help with this. There is quite a body of research about goals, and evidence strongly points towards the importance of goal setting. Where I have set goals that were right for me, in line with my values and purpose, achievable and yet challenging, I have found them helpful.

I also firmly believe in starting by celebrating wins and this forms an important part of goal setting for me now. For me, 2024 will be about building on some of these achievements, as well as making some changes.

Here are some useful questions to think about when setting goals, and what better time that as we approach a New Year?

  • What matters to you? What really matters, not what you think should matter, or others want to matter.
  • What has gone well in 2023? What have you achieved and what has brought you joy?
  • How do you want to feel by the end of 2024?
  • What do you want to keep in 2024?
  • What do you want to be different in 2024?
  • What do you want to do in 2024 and what do you want to achieve in 2024?
  • What might get in your way? What can you do to keep on track? Who can help you?

Now imagine you are doing the things you want to do in 2024 and/or have achieved the things you want to achieve. How does that feel? Imagine you’re looking back at the end of the year. Are you in line with your purpose and values? What advice would you give yourself now?

What about you? Goals or go with the flow? What do you want 2024 to bring for you?

Happy New Year, I wish you health, happiness and everything you want 2024 to bring.