This year seems to arrive more quickly than we think. It’s never too early or too late to make New Year’s resolutions, as there are no schedules you have to abide by. Determining your yearly objectives is a constant process.
So, the idea of setting goals for the year is not meant to force you to become inflexible by forcing you to reach specific milestones. Instead, it’s meant to give you motivation by creating goals you want to achieve and helping you to make progress toward them.
You can set goals in any area of life. Let’s discuss 24 ideas for achieving financial growth, professional success, emotional wellbeing, spiritual development, and intimate relationships.
Yearly goals for your finances
Since this blog is about finances, it makes sense to start with a rundown of annual financial goals. The most suitable goals for the year will depend on where you are in your financial journey, of course.
You may already have several of these money goals checked off your list! However, it’s worthwhile to be reminded about where you stand occasionally and update your targets if necessary.
1. Build or replenish your emergency fund (One of the most important yearly goals to have)
An emergency fund is the single most important financial goal to have because this will be the money saved that enables you to weather a surprise job loss or other expense without going into debt.
You should plan to have at least 3 to 6 months of basic living expenses saved for emergency purposes. Start by saving your first $1,000 and build from there.
2. Create a monthly budget
Budgeting is a critically important financial goal, as it allows you to get a complete picture of your earnings, expenses, and leaks. There are many different budgeting strategies to choose from; you can read about them below and choose the one that is most useful to you.
3. Start a side gig for extra income
We can use extra income, whether it’s to pay off debt, increase savings, meet a financial goal, or retire sooner. Whatever it may be, starting a part-time job can help us reach our goals sooner.
Don t miss out on these 21+ ways to get an extra $1,000 per month by freelancing or opening an online store. If you’re interested in starting your own small business on the side, be sure to read this side hustle guide.
4. Contribute more to your retirement accounts
There is no age requirement for retirement, and the sooner you start saving, the quicker financial independence will become yours. Haven’t started a pension account yet? Here’s everything you need to know regarding retirement savings!
5. Try a no-spend challenge
Have you heard of no-spend challenges? These are periods of time during which you get rid of unnecessary expenses. You can still pay for rent, gas, utilities, groceries, and other essential expenses, but this is a way for you to review your financial habits and find ways to relax and enjoy yourself for free.
It’s a great way to save money. You can begin by starting with a no-spend week and gradually move to a full month of no-cost spending.
6. Plan your financial goals
Different kinds of financial goals exist. Some will be short-term, such as saving for Christmas presents or vacations, while others will be mid-term, such as saving up a down payment on a house or paying off a car.
And then there are other long-term goals, such as buying a house or reaching a certain net worth. Plan to outline your financial goals as you measure your progress.
Also, set weekly goals to help you make the larger goals easier to attain!
Yearly goals for your career
Many people work 9-5, five days a week, so it’s vital to make career goals for the year and have fun. Here are some suggestions!
7. Learn new professional skills (One of the most lucrative yearly goals to set)
Learning new things does not end after you graduate from high school or college. It is a lifelong learning process! Learning new skills and incorporating them to your repertoire keeps you interested, enthusiastic, and competitive in your field.
It provides excellent opportunities for promotion and helps you change your position if your circumstances change. Here are some valuable skills that will increase your earnings!
8. Apply for a promotion
Sometimes, promotions fall into our laps. Other times, we have to be bold and ask for them! It might seem challenging, but there is a correct way to do it.
You should think about the value of what you bring to the position, ask a supervisor or coworker if there are any areas where you can improve, and let higher-level management know about your interest and intense ambition. The discussions could involve asking questions about what you need to do to advance, such as asking for more responsibility.
9. Create (or update) your website and resume
If you do not have one yet, creating a personal website is a terrific annual goal. A website is your professional “home” on the internet.
You can use it to introduce yourself, mention projects you have worked on, publish blog posts to demonstrate expertise on particular topics, let recruiters know how they can contact you, and so forth. Update your resume even if you already have a job gap!
10. Strive for a healthy work-life balance
Is “work less” really a viable career goal? Certainly! If your feelings are wearing down, your brain and body may be trying to warn you that you are overextending yourself. When you spend all your time working, you’re taking priority over other important aspects of your life because you simply have 24 hours in a day.
Burnout can gradually affect your career performance, so it is important to prevent it before it gets out of control. Check out our guide to achieving a balance between time and money for advice on how to play this balancing act.
11. Network in your industry
You can’t just walk into a company with a resume and get a job there today. Even if your resume is superior to that of any other applicant, it can be impossible to get a job. And online job applications are often flooded with applications. No matter what abilities you have, it’s difficult to stand out among other applicants.
This is where the phrase “it’s not quite what you know, but who knows you probably” holds true. The more and wider you network with people in the industry, the more opportunities you’ll have for career prospects, referrals to new businesses, professional mentorship, etc.
Yearly goals for your health
It is important to take care of your body, which is why you should follow these excellent physical fitness targets this year.
12. Focus on fresh, clean eating
Eating habits can easily suffer when life gets hectic. It’s easy to swing through the drive-thru on the way home and not so easy to prepare and cook healthy meals, cut and prepare ingredients, wash and plate meals, and so on.
However, the food we eat has a huge impact on our health and well-being, so despite being a bit more time-consuming and thoughtful, clean eating is well worth the extra effort. I favor whole food plant-based meal plans, and sites such as BudgetBytes offer nutritious meal suggestions. Learn more about staying healthy on a budget.
13. Spend more time in nature
The Japanese have a beautiful term, shinrin-yoku, that refers to “forest bathing.” The concept of forest bathing is enjoying the physical and mental benefits of nature by walking through a forest or along a river bank. Hiking along nature trails, taking deep breaths of the fresh forest air, and admiring the scenery are all easy examples of forest bathing.
Time in nature lowers stress levels, and blood pressure increases our immune systems and lifts our moods. Check out the AllTrails or TrailLink websites to find hidden gems in your area!
14. Find an exercise routine you love
The ideal way to combine the two goals is by finding ways to exercise in nature! Biking, hiking on a nature trail, practicing yoga in the privacy of your home in the early morning hours, attending a workout class at a public park…the options are limitless. Exercise is excellent for our health, and we can do nearly anything to improve our physical condition.
15. Practice good “sleep hygiene”
Sleep is another essential habit that influences our lives in a wide variety of ways. According to the American Sleep Association, sleeping too little causes a decline in our cognitive abilities, moods, heart health, immunity, weight, and longevity.
“Sleep hygiene” is a term that describes a set of numerous habits that promote sleep quality and quantity. Some of these tips include establishing a consistent nightly routine, turning off electronic devices 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed, and avoiding exposure to light and extreme temperatures at night.
Yearly goals for relationships & family
Preserving the people we associate with is among the most essential matters we can do in life. For that reason, be sure to include your family and friends in your objectives for this year.
16. Learn the love languages
The “five love languages” are not an exact science, but they are still a fun way to start a discussion with your family about topics that you enjoy.
Here are five of the most important:
Much of relationship strife stems from simple miscommunication and misunderstanding of what the other wants. If your significant other values quality time, an inexpensive picnic in the park might mean more than a luxury necklace.
17. Practice positivity and gratitude (Essential yearly goals to establish)
Sometimes, we can fall into the habit of taking our loved ones for granted. They’re the people we go to when we need to discuss our problems and bad days…but complaining too much can do the opposite and turn the relationship sour.
Whether you share it with your partner, your best friend, a parent or child, strive to frequently explain what you are grateful for and try to find silver linings in every situation.
18. Try new experiences together
Many relationships experience the boredom of a routine existence. Go to work, come home, make dinner, watch TV, sleep, and repeat. Try new activities to spice things up a bit!
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on dates if you stay home. You can paint pottery or do woodworking together, or enjoy a picnic in a state park. Your whole family will enjoy your date ideas at home.
19. Prioritize your friendships
As people get older, their social circles may become smaller as they are busy with their own families, jobs, and lives. Be conscious of the importance of not losing close friendships!
Your “circle of influence” influences every aspect of your life. Seek out positive people, spend time with them, and express your gratitude for their friendship, and you will find yourself taking pleasure in the excellent things in life.
Yearly goals for your personal development
Finally, here are several objectives for the year that are all about helping you live your life to the fullest and discovering who you are.
20. Read a certain amount of books a year
Reading is an excellent activity that has many educational benefits. Whether you read a little or a lot, make it your goal to read a certain number of books per year.
Start with one per month to see how things work out. You may select fiction, nonfiction, or a combination of both! Check out our suggestions of books about finance, career, business, and personal development.
21. Define your personal core values
When was the last time you sat alone and considered what you’re really passionate about? This is an opportunity to get some existential perspective.
Grab a journal and start brainstorming.
Identifying and defining your core values can inspire you to lead your life the way you want to.
22. Outline your strengths and weaknesses
On the same lines as “knowing thyself,” set a goal for assessing your strengths and weaknesses each year. This can be professional skills, personality traits, or anything else that you want to review about yourself. Start by doing what you’re best at.
Do you see the big picture in a crisis? Do you excel at numbers or words? How can these abilities help you live your life more successfully? etc. Then, focus on the areas in which you can improve yourself.
Is your communication skills a little weak? Do you struggle with time management or self-discipline? Self-awareness is the first step in solving a problem.
23. Limit social media & TV
Did you know that the average internet user spends 145 minutes per day on social media? That’s over two and a half hours browsing posts you are unlikely to remember the next day! On average, Americans spend 3-4 hours per day watching television.
If you have trouble staying focused, have problems with sleep or procrastination, or spend too much time in front of a screen, all of that screen time could be to blame. Cut down on your time in front of a monitor this year! Completing a social media detox can also be good for your finances.
24. Start a new hobby
So, what do you do with that extra time when your mobile phone isn’t ringing and you aren’t watching television? Try a full range of hobbies to find something that enlivens you.
It may be a hobby such as hiking, kayaking, baking, or playing music, or a hobby that generates income such as woodworking or photography.
Yearly goals are a great idea! Set Goals for the year to improve your life!
These monthly goal suggestions may look different for everyone because we all lead different lives and have different conditions. Now it’s up to you to decide which goals are most important to you and how you can accomplish them.
However, setting financial goals should be at the top of your list because getting your money right leads to wealth and success. Learn the proper way to make the right financial goals with our free online course!
