Goal-Setting for the New Year: 10 Questions to Ask
There are few things I love more than the fresh start of a new year–a clean slate, a new beginning. With Christmas just days away, I am starting to look ahead to the New Year. I love to think about what is possible…to dream. However, goal setting for the New Year can feel elusive if we aren’t intentional about reflecting back and looking forward.
Are you a goal setter? Have you given yourself permission to dream or have you gotten stuck somewhere? Maybe the past couple of years have knocked you off your feet and the thought of dreaming feels like a bit of a bad joke, but I believe there is power in creating space for vision, in positive thoughts, in forward thinking, in writing down where you want to go…do you know where you want to go in the year ahead?
If not, that’s okay, now is the perfect time to begin to create a vision.
Or do you know, but something is preventing you from moving forward, from taking action?
As you begin to think about your year ahead, try to steal away for some uninterrupted time over the next week, grab a journal, and write down the answers to these questions.
Celebrate
What can I celebrate this year–what went well?
What are the little and big wins of this past year?
Move Forward
Are there areas I need to let go of?
Ruts I need to get out of?
People I need to forgive (myself?).
Broken places I need to move on from?
Envision
Start praying and asking the Lord what his vision is for your coming year.
Focus
What is 1 big goal or a few small goals that you want to accomplish in 2021?
(more on breaking down a big goal to come…)
Cultivate
What relationships do I want to cultivate? Where do I want to press in, to be intentional, to love well?
Build
What are 3-5 habits I want to build?
Learn
What do I want to learn this year?
Grow
In what areas do I want to grow (finances, relationships, health…) and how will I practically do that?
Read
What books will I read this year? Make a list! Buy or check out the first one out from the library and get started!
Uproot
What is not serving me? What will I do less of or cut out altogether?
What is stealing precious time and capacity from what I am called to?
I love this quote by T.E. Lawrence… (Parentheses added by me.)
May we be dreamers of day.
Are you ready for a New Beginning? If so, read here.
I love the new year too…a fresh beginning. But I was stuck trying to figure out how I wanted to start the new year. I knew you would have some great words of wisdom!! Thanks Katie!!
Thank you Lisa! I hope you’ve had a beautiful start to your New Year!!