Would you like to improve any aspect of your life going forward? Most people would.
New year resolutions are goals, plans, promises you make to yourself that you will create positive habits, or make important lifestyle changes.
People often argue that setting specific goals at the beginning of the year is unnecessary or even counterproductive. Some even say that resolutions can create unnecessary pressure and lead to disappointment if they’re not achieved.
We think there is no rule when it comes to setting of resolutions. New year marks a new phase in life, just like a birthday or anniversary, and these are all great times to reflect and make a commitment to make a positive change.
The most important thing is that you approach resolution setting with three things in mind:
- Set goals that are realistic and achievable so you can see your wins and stay motivated
- Focus on continuous improvement, adjust and review your goals throughout the year as needed, rather than confining change to the goals you set at the beginning of January.
- Remember that sometimes we stumble, because we are human. Not every resolution will pan out perfectly. But that’s okay! Just remember to get back up when you fall short and keep pushing towards your goals.
As an example, if you promised yourself, you’ll eat healthier this year and you’ve just gone an entire week eating take outs and junk, don’t beat yourself up. Make sure at least one meal a day or snack is a healthy choice, and gradually ease into the healthy lifestyle.
With that said, here are 50 realistic and achievable resolutions you can set going forward. Here we are focusing on small wins, so pick a couple of goals and watch your life transform gradually as you keep to these commitments.
Health and Wellness resolutions
With the alarming rise in the number of people with chronic diseases, a healthier lifestyle is something a lot of people aspire to and you should to. Here are 5 actionable things you can resolve to do to be healthier going forward:
- Complete a 30-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout three times a week.
- Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily, tracked with a water bottle.
- Fill half of your plate with vegetables
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for 7-8 hours each night.
- Practice 10 minutes of guided meditation every morning using a mindfulness app or youtube.
Things to encourage your health and wellness journey:
Personal development resolutions
- Read one book per month.
If you are a very busy person, try audio books. You can sign up here to Amazon ‘audible’ free 30-day trial and gain access to an unending collection of brilliant audiobooks you can listen to on the go.
From books about career development, mindfulness, and parenting to fiction books. Audio books have certainly changed my life and exposed me to more books than I could ever sit down and read. - Learn to play a specific instrument or acquire proficiency in a new programming language.
By doing this you open up yourself to a new adventure (music) or even bigger career opportunities (programming). - Dedicate 15 minutes each week to journaling thoughts and setting personal goals.
Journaling helps to focus and clear the mind. If you don’t know what you should be writing about, check out these 25 journal prompts for self -reflection or this compilation of 100 questions you should ask yourself to get to know you better. - Enroll in a course or workshop related to a specific skill you want to develop.
Udemy or coursera has a wide range of courses on any topic . You can complete these in your spare time and become more knowledgeable going forward. - Attend at least two networking events in your industry during the year.
Relationship/Family resolutions
- Plan a monthly family outing or game night to spend quality time together.
- Practice active listening by summarizing and responding to others’ statements during conversations.
- Express gratitude to a different family member or friend each week.
- Schedule a date night with your partner on the first Friday of every month.
- Reconnect with one old friend each quarter through a call or meeting.
While these may seem easy to achieve, they are also very easy to forget. The best way to ensure that you meet these goals is by writing it down. A simple monthly planner with the name of who you want to call and when will make all the difference and keep you motivated.
Monthly Desktop Planner pad – Buy on Amazon
Career and Professional Growth resolutions
There are so many people who are uncomfortable with their performance at work and a bunch of people who hate their 9-5’s.
A mentor once told me that to make a change career wise is to test new boundaries, take up new opportunities and learn new things.
So here are some career related goals that may push you outside of your comfort zone and encourage you to learn new things.
- Set a goal to achieve a specific professional certification by the end of the year.
- Attend two networking events and actively connect with at least three new professionals.
- Update your LinkedIn profile with recent accomplishments and skills quarterly.
- Volunteer to lead a new project or initiative within your team during the year.
- Request feedback from colleagues and supervisors twice during the year for continuous improvement.
Financial wellbeing resolutions
- Create a detailed monthly budget, tracking expenses and savings goals.
This is not always easy if you’ve never created a budget before, but budgeting is really the only way you can keep track of the money you make versus what you spend it on. This will give you a very clear picture of changes you need to make if you want to save more or spend less. Grab a free budgeting template here to get started. - Establish an emergency fund equivalent to three months’ worth of living expenses.
Not sure how to start saving more? Grab this simple book ‘Live richer challenge: Learn how to save your money and make more money in 22 days‘. it’s a must read. - Save 15% of your monthly income in a designated savings account.
- Have a zero spend day (or days) every week and wait at least 48hrs before making any purchase.
The 48hr wait gives you times to reflect on whether or not you really need the item and has been found to be a very effective way to curtail unnecessary expenses. - Read two personal finance books to enhance your understanding of money management.
These are two of my favourite books, and i think they are both great places to start reading:
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko: Dave Ramsey is a well-known personal finance expert, and this book outlines a step-by-step plan for getting out of debt, building an emergency fund, and achieving financial freedom. It’s known for its practical advice and motivational approach.
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness” by Dave Ramsey: This book explores the habits and characteristics of individuals who have accumulated wealth. It provides insights into the mindset and behaviors of millionaires, offering practical advice on building and maintaining financial success.
Organisation and Productivity Resolutions
- Declutter one room or area of your home every month.
Our 5 day declutter challenge is a great guide with a list of items and a checklist to guide you through decluttering. - Every sunday, use a simple planner to plan tasks and set deadlines for the week ahead.
- Prioritize three main tasks each day using a to-do list.
- Establish a morning routine, including exercise, breakfast, and setting daily goals.
- Set SMART goals for personal and professional achievements throughout the year.
Health and Wellbeing resolutions
- Practice deep breathing exercises for five minutes, three times a day.
- Implement a daily screen time limit, scheduling breaks for mindful activities.
- Surround yourself with positive affirmations and inspirational quotes in your environment.
- Schedule a weekly “me time” activity, such as a bubble bath or nature walk.
- Start and end each day by listing three things you’re grateful for.
Learning resolutions
- Dedicate 30 minutes each day to learning a new language using language learning apps.
- Stay informed about one global issue each month, researching reputable sources.
- Attend a workshop or class related to a hobby or interest you’ve always wanted to explore.
- Engage in critical thinking exercises, analyzing different perspectives on current events.
- Write a short reflective essay at the end of each month to explore personal growth.
Community and Social responsibility resolutions
- Volunteer for a local charity or community organization for at least 20 hours during the year.
- Implement a recycling system at home and reduce single-use plastic consumption.
- Support three local businesses by making monthly purchases.
- Organize a neighbourhood clean-up or community-building event once a quarter.
- Advocate for a social issue by sharing informative content on social media and participating in relevant discussions.
Creativity and self-expression resolutions
- Create a monthly art project, experimenting with different mediums and styles.
- Attend two cultural events or exhibitions in your city during the year.
- Start a creative writing project, aiming to produce a short story or poem each month.
- Cook a new recipe or cuisine every two weeks, exploring diverse culinary experiences.
- Embrace spontaneity by setting aside time each month for unstructured, creative activities.
There you have it. 50 Practical new year resolutions/goals to choose from. Pick and choose a few that match where you are in life and what you hope to achieve in the coming year.
