How to Set Achievable New Year's Resolutions

How to Set Achievable New Year’s Resolutions

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Ah, New Year’s Resolutions. The annual tradition of setting ambitious goals only to forget about them by February. But this year, we’re changing the game. We’re setting resolutions that are not just achievable but tailored to different personality types. Whether you’re a planner, a dreamer, or a doer, we’ve got the tips to help you make this New Year your best one yet.

I am super passionate about this topic. In fact, this topic of planning and achieving goals is the entire reason I created this blog. That and the fact that I am always a bit extra when I am hosting a party or holiday. Well, also because I am over the top when it comes to most things I do. But the common denominator is that I love to plan, no matter the occasion or goal. I love to give the things I am passionate about my absolute all, full throttle! I have a feeling that might be why you are here too. And I hope you are enjoying being here as much as I am enjoying creating this space. Thank you for being a part of this community of planners, hosts, and memory makers! I can’t wait to make memories with you all along the way!

Understanding Your Personality Type
Setting SMART Goals
Break It Down
Create a Support System
Track Your Progress
Celebrate Small Wins
Adapt and Adjust
Continuing the Momentum
The Importance of Goals and Yearly Review

1. Understanding Your Personality Type

First things first, know thyself. Are you a meticulous planner or a spontaneous free spirit? Understanding your personality type can help you set resolutions that are more likely to stick.

If you want to deep dive into your personality type and the best planning methods for you, head to my post “Planning Methods for Your Personality Type” after you finish here. I go deep into personality type tests (with links), the recommended planning method for you and why.

But for now, let’s focus specifically on how to achieve your new years resolutions, once and for all!

For the Planner

Advice: Use your love for organization to your advantage. Create detailed plans with timelines and checklists. You thrive on structure, so setting clear, actionable steps will keep you on track.
Example Resolution: Instead of “Get fit,” try “Exercise 30 minutes, three times a week.” This way, you have a clear, manageable plan that fits into your routine. Build in time to revisit your plan and adjust as you go. Say, the last weekend of each month.

For the Dreamer

Advice: Dream big but start small. Break your grand visions into manageable steps. Your creativity is your strength, but focus is key to making those dreams a reality.
Example Resolution: Instead of “Write a novel,” try “Write 500 words a day.” This makes the task less overwhelming and gives you a daily target to hit.

For the Doer

Advice: Use your action-oriented nature to tackle one goal at a time. Focus on immediate actions that lead to long-term success. You’re great at getting things done, so channel that energy into specific, bite-sized tasks.
Example Resolution: Instead of “Learn a new language,” try “Practice Spanish for 15 minutes every day.” Consistency is your ally, and small daily actions build up over time.

Tip for any planning types: Refer back to your inspiration and revisit the board we made in “How to Create a Vision Board for Your Goals| Physical & Digital Versions”. All your achievable goals should be pulled directly from your vision board.

2. Setting SMART Goals

No, SMART isn’t just a buzzword. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Created by George T. Doran, a consultant and former Director of Corporate Planning. This method works wonders for making resolutions more tangible.

For the Planner

Specific: Define your goal clearly. “Lose weight” becomes “Lose 10 pounds.” Specificity provides a clear target.
Measurable: Track your progress. Use apps or journals to log your achievements.
Achievable: Set realistic goals. Don’t aim to lose 10 pounds in a week.
Relevant: Make sure your goal matters to you. It should align with your broader life aspirations.
Time-bound: Set a deadline. A timeline creates a sense of urgency and keeps you motivated.

For the Dreamer

Specific: Narrow down your goal. “Be healthier” becomes “Eat three servings of vegetables a day.”
Measurable: Keep a daily log. Seeing your progress helps maintain motivation.
Achievable: Start with small changes. Incremental improvements lead to sustainable habits.
Relevant: Ensure it aligns with your broader dreams. Your goals should excite you.
Time-bound: Break it into weekly or monthly targets. Short-term deadlines help maintain focus.

For the Doer

Specific: Pinpoint the exact action. “Get organized” becomes “Declutter the house one room at a time.”
Measurable: Use a checklist. Ticking off tasks provides a sense of accomplishment.
Achievable: Focus on doable steps. Setting the bar too high can be discouraging.
Relevant: Choose goals that fit your lifestyle. They should enhance your daily routine.
Time-bound: Set mini-deadlines for each step. Regular milestones keep you on track.

3. Break It Down

Big goals can be intimidating. Breaking them down into smaller, bite-sized tasks makes them more manageable and less overwhelming.

I like to reverse engineer my goals. Meaning, if I want to make $100,000 in one year (my current goal) then I break it down by quarter, month, week and even day. Planning out each meticulous step that I can take realistic action on. Then, I build in specific places to re-evaluate the goals I have laid out, aka the steps, and pivot when needed.

For the Planner

Method: Create a detailed action plan with daily or weekly tasks. Your love for lists and schedules will make this easy and satisfying.
Example: “Save money” becomes “Save $50 each week.” This makes the goal more digestible and less daunting.

For the Dreamer

Method: Use mind maps to visualize the steps to your goal. This taps into your creativity and makes the process more engaging.
Example: “Start a business” becomes “Research market trends” and “Draft a business plan.” Breaking it down makes the goal more achievable.

For the Doer

Method: Use a bullet journal to jot down immediate actions. This keeps you focused on what needs to be done today.
Example: “Learn guitar” becomes “Practice chords for 10 minutes daily.” Small daily actions build up to significant progress.

4. Create a Support System

You don’t have to go it alone. Enlist friends, family, or online communities to support and motivate you. I would love if you interacted on this blog through the comments section. Start the new year with your support system. I have two articles that could help kick your new year off with your community inspired and full of fun: “Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Activities & Traditions” and “Top 10 New Year’s Eve Party Themes to Ring in the New Year”. I want to build a community of motivated planners, hosts, and memory makers.

If you want to be a part of a community where we support one another’s dreams, celebrate our wins, and keep each other accountable, let me know in the comments. I aim to build that community for all of us!

For the Planner

Advice: Join groups or forums related to your goals. Plan regular check-ins to keep each other accountable.
Example: Form a weekly walking group for fitness goals. Having a community makes the journey more enjoyable.

For the Dreamer

Advice: Share your goals with loved ones who encourage you. Their support and encouragement will keep you motivated.
Example: Have a monthly goal-setting brunch with friends. Sharing your progress can inspire and keep you focused.

For the Doer

Advice: Find an accountability partner to keep you on track. Regular check-ins can keep you motivated.
Example: My friend Liz and I wake up at 4am each morning for coffee, meditation/prayer and workouts. You don’t need to wake up at 4am, just find someone that can give you shit if you are tempted to bail and will push you when you need it. Knowing someone is counting on you can boost your commitment.

5. Track Your Progress

Regularly monitoring your progress helps you stay motivated and see how far you’ve come. Share your progress with your accountability partner or business mentors.

For the Planner

Method: Use spreadsheets or apps to track your milestones. Detailed tracking helps you stay organized and focused.
Example: Use a fitness tracker app for your exercise goals. Visualizing your progress keeps you motivated.

For the Dreamer

Method: Keep a visual progress board with sticky notes or images. This keeps you engaged and inspired.
Example: Create a vision board for your yearly achievements. Seeing your dreams come to life visually can be incredibly motivating. If you haven’t already followed along in creating one, check out my post “How to Create a Vision Board for Your Goals| Physical and Digital Versions”. There are even Vision Board Kits on Amazon you could check out.

For the Doer

Method: Maintain a daily log or journal. Writing down your progress helps you reflect and stay focused.
Example: Write a brief note each day about your progress and how you feel. This keeps you connected to your goals.

Announcement time:

You may or may not have guessed by my entire blog that I love planning. I have a deep passion for setting goals and working toward them. There is something that keeps me motivated and gives me a sense of purpose by putting my vision onto paper. And if you are here, I’m guessing you’re the same as me, or wanting to put better systems in place for all your to-do’s.

That being said, I am beyond thrilled to tell you that I have been busting my tush from day 1 in this Blog, creating the perfect planners for people like us! I am just putting the finishing touches on them and will be releasing them before the New Year!

Sign up for my newsletter (I promise to never spam you) if you want to be the first to know about the launch! I will offer special discounts just for this community too.

Firstly, I have created the perfect Yearly Review and Goal Setting Planner derived from this very article. In this workbook, we reflect on the previous year to help you understand and celebrate all you’ve accomplished. Then, we dive into a self-assessment section so that you can better understand the systems and habits behind what worked and what didn’t to slay your previous goals. And finally, I walk you step by step through reverse engineering your biggest aspirations into small, actionable steps.

Follow that planning system up with my monthly planners and narrow your focus to the most important tasks at hand. This will allow you to stay focused and motivated throughout the year. I organize each monthly planner by yearly overview, quarterly breakdown and have special themes each month. I built in the most important focuses for each quarter, monthly goals broken down by each week and backed up by your daily planning actionable steps.

If that sounds complicated, don’t worry, I have made it extremely easy for any personality type to benefit from my planners! I even included fun themed coloring pages for mental breaks and to keep drawing your interest back to the planner!

Comment below if you are as excited as I am for it to drop! EEEEEEE!!!!!

6. Celebrate Small Wins

Don’t wait until you reach your ultimate goal to celebrate. Recognize and reward your progress along the way.

For the Planner

Method: Plan small rewards for each milestone achieved. This keeps you motivated and focused.
Example: Treat yourself to a new book for every month you stick to your budget. Small rewards keep you motivated.

For the Dreamer

Method: Share your achievements with others to celebrate together. This makes the journey more enjoyable. Comment your wins below so that we can celebrate with you!
Example: Post about your progress on social media and bask in the positive feedback. Sharing your wins keeps you motivated.

For the Doer

Method: Take breaks to enjoy your successes before moving to the next step. Recognizing your achievements keeps you motivated.
Example: Reward yourself with a fun activity after completing each task. This keeps you focused and motivated. This is also why I strategically placed brain break pages in my planners.

7. Adapt and Adjust

Life happens. Don’t be afraid to tweak your resolutions if things aren’t going as planned. Flexibility is key to maintaining motivation. This is what I was talking about with building in spaces to re-evaluate and readjust the steps. Not to brag or anything, but when you use my planners, you won’t even need to think about this step. I’ve already built it in for you!

For the Planner

Advice: Review and adjust your plan monthly to keep it realistic. Life changes, and so should your goals. Or at least your approach to them.
Example: If the gym is too crowded, try home workouts. Being flexible keeps you moving forward.

For the Dreamer

Advice: Allow room for spontaneity. Goals can evolve over time, and that’s okay.
Example: If you lose interest in a project, pivot to something that excites you more. Staying flexible keeps you motivated.

For the Doer

Advice: Be ready to switch tactics if the current one isn’t working. Flexibility keeps you moving forward.
Example: If daily practice isn’t feasible, switch to longer sessions a few times a week. Adjusting your approach keeps you on track.

8. Continuing the Momentum

As with anything successful, consistency is queen! The key to long-term success is maintaining your momentum. Here’s how to keep going when the initial excitement wears off.

For the Planner

Advice: Schedule regular reviews to assess your progress and adjust your plans as needed. This keeps you on track and focused.
Example: Set a monthly reminder to review your goals and make necessary adjustments. Regular check-ins keep you motivated. Again, I will have this built in for you once you start using my planners.

For the Dreamer

Advice: Keep your goals visible. Surround yourself with reminders of what you’re working towards. Think: the physical or digital vision boards we created together.
Example: Place visual reminders around your home or workspace. Keeping your goals in sight helps maintain motivation. Shoot, print your digital vision board out for each space.

For the Doer

Advice: Set new challenges to keep things interesting. Continuously pushing yourself prevents boredom.
Example: If you achieve a fitness goal, set a new one, like participating in a local race. Setting new challenges keeps you motivated.

9. The Importance of Goals and Yearly Review

This is what I live for! The New Year is obviously the perfect time for a yearly review. Setting goals is crucial for personal growth and achievement. A yearly review helps you reflect on your progress and set new targets.

I’m circling the idea of doing a New Year planning party live. We could grab our favorite beverage, sit down with our vision boards and Yearly Review and Goal Setting Planners and dream big! If you would be interested in this, please let me know in the comments!

Of course, we would take time to celebrate all the things we accomplished in the year too! I am a great cheerleader and I’d love to cheer for you!

For the Planner

Advice: At the end of the year, review your achievements and set new goals for the upcoming year. This keeps you on a continuous path of growth.
Example: Create a comprehensive review document or use my goal setting yearly planner to highlight your successes, areas for improvement, and setting up your next year. Reflecting on your year keeps you focused.

For the Dreamer

Advice: Reflect on your journey and celebrate your growth. Use your reflections to set inspiring new goals.
Example: Write a reflective journal entry summarizing your year’s accomplishments and setting new intentions. Reflecting on your year keeps you motivated.

For the Doer

Advice: Look back on your progress and set higher targets for the next year. Continuous improvement keeps you motivated.
Example: Create a goal board with your achievements and new goals. Reflecting on your year keeps you motivated.

10. Make it a Yearly Routine

Make a ritual out of reflecting and planning out your next year. Dedicate a few days or a week to this. Take a vacation or staycation somewhere outside of your home. Dive deep and get granular.

Consider doing a spa day during this time to decompress and celebrate your accomplishments. Go to nice dinners with your spouse without any distractions and reset goals around your family focuses.

Final tip: When creating your goals and milestones for the year ahead build in monthly reflections. This allows you to track your progress in real time, without waiting for the fourth quarter rush. It also shows you early on if you need to pivot your approach to any one goal.

My monthly planners are created with your progress in mind, so I have built in these reflection pages each month. More functional planning means no wasted time. Check out my Planners Page to see how amazing they are!

This is how to set New Year’s resolutions that you can actually achieve, tailored to your personality type. What are your your biggest goals for the year? Share with me in the comments or send an email and say hi! I would love to cheer you on and rally for your ambitions! Go on, set those goals, smash them, and enter the new year full of gumption!

Until next time, may your resolutions be ambitious and your systems and habits be stronger than the snooze button!

Cheers to you, you resolution rockstar,

Anna