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New Year's resolutions: How to create a list of goals that will last the whole year

12 December 2024

With only 20 days left until we enter the new year 2025, December is often a time for reflection and planning. We eagerly create lists of resolutions to help us become a better version of ourselves - personally and professionally. However, you will certainly not be surprised to discover that enthusiasm and motivation do not stick with us for more than a month or two. Statistics show that only a small percentage of people actually achieve their New Year's goals and can proudly call it a success. Wondering how to create a list of professional and developmental New Year's resolutions that will stand the test of time? Here are some practical tips.

1. Set realistic goals

The main enemy when making a list of resolutions is our over-ambition. Of course, it is worthwhile to dream and strive for growth, but goals should be achievable and realistic. Above all, take into account your current possibilities in terms of time, money and energy.

As Kamila Izdebska, Head of BPP Professional Education, points out: Effective New Year's resolutions are those that are grounded in the realities of professional and personal life. Overly ambitious goals that do not take into account our limitations can lead to frustration and rapid abandonment of the plan.

2. Your goals for 2025 should be clear and specific

Resolutions that are too vague, such as ‘I will develop my career’ or ‘I will increase my competences’, are difficult to measure and implement.

Instead of the goal ‘I will develop my career’, write on the list ‘In the first quarter of 2025, I will take part in the CFO of the Future course series’, suggests Kamila Izdebska, inviting you to BPP for these and other courses.

By formulating your goals this way, you will find it easier to monitor your progress and keep your motivation high.

3. Use the SMART principle - it can be the key to success

The SMART principle, well-known and applied in project management, is also great in the context of New Year's resolutions. Every goal should be:

Specific,
Measurable,
Achievable,
Relevant,
Time-bound.

For example: ‘By the end of June 2025, I will have passed the first 3 ACCA exams and will have received the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business, devoting 8 hours a week to study.’

4. Break down big goals into smaller steps

Large goals can be overwhelming. That's why it's a good idea to break them down into smaller steps. This will make each step achievable and success will motivate you to keep working. For example, instead of planning ‘I will write a book this year’, you could start with ‘I will write the first chapter of the book by the end of January 2025’. In addition, giving yourself a small reward when you have achieved each step will build up your motivation.

5. Prioritise your New Year's resolutions

In reality, not all resolutions are equally important to you. The key is to think about which ones can have the greatest impact on your professional and personal development. Are you familiar with a time management tool called the Eisenhower Matrix? It's a method that helps prioritise tasks by dividing them into four categories: 1/ urgent and important, 2/ important but not urgent, 3/ urgent but not important, and 4/ not urgent and not important.

6. Seek support and motivation from others

One of the best ways to stay motivated is to work with others. You could agree with a friend to work together towards a goal of ‘I will lose 1 kg in January by exercising 15 minutes every day and not eating sweets’ and monitor each other's progress regularly. You can also join a support group, as a supportive community to help you achieve your goals is key. By sharing your plans with the group, you gain not only motivation, but also constructive criticism, inspiration and, above all, a sense of commitment to achieving your goal.

7. Remember to be flexible

Plans are plans, but we know that life can be unpredictable. This is when our plans may need to be modified. Think of your goals as signposts, not rigid guidelines that must not be changed. If you find that a goal is unrealistic, adjust it to the situation rather than abandoning it completely.

8. Monitor progress regularly

Writing down resolutions is not enough! It is very important to regularly review your progress, e.g. at the beginning of each month. This will make it easier for you to identify difficulties and make any improvements to your resolutions. Many career-building consultants recommend keeping a development diary in which you can record your achievements and reflections.

9. Ensure strong inner motivation

The most lasting goals are those that are in line with our values and aspirations, and are not simply the result of external pressure. Think about why a particular New Year's resolution is important to you and how it fits into your vision of the future.

Will it be easier for you to achieve your New Year's resolutions now? Use the time this month to draw up a list of developmental and professional goals, and from 1 January 2025 take action! A new year often brings new opportunities. Take advantage of them to achieve your goals.

Good luck!

Article also published on focusonbusiness.eu/en/.