How To Jump Start Your Goals This Year

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Welcome to the new year! I'm genuinely excited to kick off this January challenge with you. If you're like most of us, you're starting this year with a mixture of hope and maybe a tiny bit of skepticism-because let's be honest, we've all been here before. We've made grand plans, set ambitious goals, and then watched as life happened, and some of those goals quietly slipped away.

But here's what I want you to know right from the start: not every goal needs to reach completion for this year to be a success. Sometimes the value is in the journey of life, the lessons learned, or simply in the fact that we showed up and tried. The difference between setting goals that energize us and goals that drain us often comes down to one thing: setting targets that genuinely matter to us, not targets we think we should achieve.

So let's approach goal-setting (affiliate) differently. Let's be honest, strategic (my word of the year), and most importantly, kind to ourselves. Here's how to jump-start getting organized this year.

Jump to:

Step One: Look Back Before You Leap Forward
Step Two: Compile This Year's Goals with Intention
Ask Yourself These Questions When You Compile Your New Goals
Making It Real
Examples of goals you may want to create.

Step One: Look Back Before You Leap Forward

Our first step might surprise you-we're going to revisit what our goals were last year. I know, I know. You might be thinking, "But I want to move forward, not dwell on what I didn't do!" Trust me on this one. Looking back isn't about beating yourself up; it's about gathering valuable intelligence about yourself.

Pull out last year's goal list, and let's dig in with some real talk.

Answer these questions while revisiting last year's goals.

Did you find some goals were more challenging to achieve than others? Which goals were they? Why were they hard to achieve?

Be specific here. Was it a lack of time? Unclear steps? Did the goal turn out not to really matter to you once you started working on it? Sometimes we set goals based on who we think we should be rather than who we actually are. There's no judgment here-just information.

What are you proud of this year? What is a large or small goal?

This is crucial. We tend to fixate on what we didn't accomplish and completely overlook what we did. Maybe you didn't lose 50 pounds, but you did establish a morning walking routine (affiliate). Small wins build the foundation for bigger achievements.

What was the root goal within all your goals? What is the why?

Often, when we look at our entire goal list, there's a theme underneath. Maybe all your goals were really about feeling more in control of your time and or creating more space for what matters. Or proving something to yourself. Understanding the root goal helps you set better targets this year.

What do you feel you should have accomplished this year? Is this realistic? Is it something you want to do this year?

Notice that word "should"? That's often a red flag. Should, according to whom? Get honest about whether this is genuinely your goal or someone else's expectation you've internalized.

Was there any goal you were missing on last year's list that you want to do this year?

Sometimes we learn what matters by noticing what was absent. Maybe you spent all year focused on career goals and realized you deeply missed having creative goals. Or perhaps you focused entirely on yourself and realized you wanted goals around connection and community.

Did you learn anything new about goal setting last year?

Every year teaches us something about how we work best. Maybe you learned you need accountability. Perhaps you discovered you do better with quarterly goals instead of annual ones. Maybe you found that morning is your power time or that you need to schedule goals on your calendar, or they won't happen. Write down these lessons-they're essential.

After going through your goal list from last year, jot down all your responses. Keep them handy because you're going to use these insights to create better goals this year.

Now it's time to compile new year goals. Here are questions to ask yourself about this year's goals.

Step Two: Compile This Year's Goals with Intention

Now it's time to compile your new year goals, but we're going to do this thoughtfully. For each goal you're considering, work through these questions. Yes, it takes time. And, it is worth it.

Ask Yourself These Questions When You Compile Your New Goals

Why is this goal important to achieve?

If you can't answer this clearly and compellingly, it might not be the right goal. Your "why" is your fuel when things get hard. "I should" is not a why. "Everyone else is doing it" is not a why. But "I want to feel energized when I wake up" or "I want to stop feeling anxious about money"-those are real whys.

What will success look like when you achieve this goal?

Get specific and visual. Don't just say "be more organized." Paint the picture: "I'll walk into my office and immediately find the document I need. I'll end my workday knowing exactly what's happening tomorrow. I'll stop wasting time searching for things." The more precise your vision of success, the more likely you are to recognize and achieve it.

How will I benefit from reaching this goal?

This goes beyond the apparent outcome. Yes, if your goal is to exercise regularly, you'll be physically healthier. Go deeper than that. Will you feel more confident? Have more energy for your family? Sleep better? Feel proud of yourself? These more profound benefits often provide more motivation than the surface goal.

Do I see a clear path to achieving this goal? What is my first step? How about my second phase?

If you can't identify at least your first two steps, your goal might be too vague. "Get organized" is too broad. "Set up a household command center (affiliate) with a family calendar and mail sorting system" gives you something concrete to start with. Break it down until you have actions you can take this week.

Who will help me achieve this goal?

No one achieves meaningful goals in isolation. Who's your accountability partner? Your expert guide? Your fellow traveler on the same journey?

Identify these people now and, when appropriate, ask for their support. People generally want to help-they just need to know what you need.

What will be my biggest challenge in achieving this goal?

Let's be proactive about obstacles. If you know your biggest challenge will be time, how will you create time? Is money an issue? What's your budget plan?

If it's your own resistance or fear, how will you address that? Anticipating challenges doesn't mean you're being negative-it means you're being strategic.

How will I stay focused to reach this target?

What's your system? Weekly check-ins? A tracking sheet on your refrigerator? An accountability group? Regular calendar reminders? The right system is the one you'll actually use, so be honest about what works for your personality and lifestyle.

Write down your responses to each question for each goal you're considering. This isn't busywork-this is the difference between goals that are achieved and goals that remain wishes.

Making It Real

After writing down your responses to your goals, you should see a clear path on how to reach each goal this year. If a goal is too broad and you can't envision the path forward, you may need to refine your aim. There's no shame in that. In fact, the willingness to refine shows you're serious about success.

And here's something important: don't be afraid to have several different targets. You're a complex person with multiple areas of life that matter to you. You can absolutely have other goals for various areas of your life.

Examples of goals you may want to create.

Below are just some goals that you may find valuable for your new year.

Small Business goals (revenue targets, new services, client satisfaction)
Personal Finance goals (emergency fund, debt reduction, retirement savings)
Fitness and eating targets (energy levels, strength, how food makes you feel)
Self-care goals (sleep, stress management, hobbies that recharge you)
Relationship goals (quality time with friends, family connections, community involvement)
Faith or personal growth goals (spiritual practices, learning, reflection)
Home improvement goals (organizing projects, maintenance, creating spaces you love)
Behavioral goals (patience, presence, communication patterns)

The key (affiliate) is balancing ambition with realism. Three to five meaningful goals across different life areas often work better than twelve goals that overwhelm you.

As you move through this January challenge and into the new year, remember: the goal isn't perfection. The goal is progress, learning, and becoming more intentional about your life. Some years, you'll knock every goal out of the park. Other years, you'll achieve three out of five goals and learn valuable lessons from the two you didn't complete. Both years are successful.

I've learned this after having goals set for over 30 years - some years were terrific, and others I only did a handful. But all helped me learn about myself and the way I best achieve my goals.

May your new year be a fruitful and organized one-one where your goals serve you, not the other way around. If you need help figuring out your goals, feel free to reach out to me, and let's create them together.

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