As 2024 turns into 2025, and another new year is upon us, you might be thinking about what you want from the next year. What goals do you want to achieve, and what new opportunities do you want to take?
Taking time to think about what you want from 2025 can be pretty important in starting the new year off, before work piles up and all those resolutions are long forgotten.
While resolutions are not always stuck to and achieved, there is a lot of benefit in setting goals for yourself. The new year gives you a good beginning point; a fresh start with a clearer head.
So, what should you be doing to make sure you start the new year off right, stay on track and achieve those goals. Here are a few tips to help you and ensure this year is even better than your last!
1. Reflect on the previous year.
A good way to start is by looking back on your previous year. It’s easy to forget the good stuff that happened. Before you start looking ahead, take some time to review the past year and think about what went well.
You can ask yourself these questions:
- What went well last year?
- What did I accomplish?
- What goals did I abandon? Why?
- What challenges did I overcome?
- What do I wish I had dedicated more time to?
- What do I want to improve upon? Why?
2. Set reasonable, measurable and specific goals.
One of the surest ways to fall short of your goals is to make them unattainable. When establishing your goals, whether they are short, medium or long-term, be reasonable and selective.
Make sure they are things that are doable for you to achieve in the year, or at least begin to achieve. Specific goals will also help you establish where your focus should go, and make it easier to create a plan that you can stick to, and stay on track with.
Establishing attainable goals for the year can enhance your sense of accomplishment and lead to increased success in your professional life. One strategy you can use is the SMART method:
Specific – Make your goals as specific as you can.
Measurable – Establish metrics for measuring your progress.
Attainable – Ensure your goals are possible to reach in a certain timeframe.
Relevant – Goals should align with your values and aims.
Time-based – Set specific end dates for motivation.
3. Create a plan.
Once you’ve set your goals, it’s also crucial to make a plan. It can be difficult to get started on your journey toward professional success without one in place. You need to be able to work backwards, to figure out how you get to where you want to be.
Create a plan that outlines all of the steps required in meeting your goal or goals. For example, if one of your goals is to complete a major project, break down the project into specific parts and milestones. A plan should spell out all tasks, deliverables, resources, and other relevant information.
Writing down your goals can be a really helpful part of this process. It seems simple, but there’s power in writing your goals down, perhaps in a planner or somewhere you will be able to readily access and read. Then, you can also check off goals once you achieve them.
4. Identify any new skills you’ll need.
To achieve your goals you’ll probably need to develop some new skills along the way. Take note of what you might need to learn this year, what help you might need and what opportunities there could be to develop these skills.
There are many avenues to developing new skills, and this will be a consistent process of identifying and pursuing these skills throughout the year.
Things you can do include taking an online course or seeking out a mentor who can help you overcome some of the challenges you face.
5. Make new connections.
It’s always a good idea to expand your circle of contacts, and see what else could be out there for you to help you achieve your goals for the year and beyond. The more people who know you, appreciate you and have confidence in your skills, the higher the chance of discovering and obtaining fresh opportunities in the upcoming year.
Joining a professional association or taking a more active role in one where you’re already a member is a good way to do this. This will provide plenty of opportunities to volunteer and gain experience.
It’s also important to reconnect with people in your current network, see how they’re doing and what new opportunities might exist there already.
6. Refresh your space and mindset.
Your workspace plays a key role in your productivity and motivation, so use the new year as an opportunity to refresh your space and help you start your year off right.
A bad habit of many professionals is working in a space that does not create a productive work environment, whether that be because there are too many distractions or because it’s simply not a nice space to be in. By revamping your workspace you’re putting your best foot forward.
Additionally, the start of a new year is the perfect time to establish a good system of organisation as well. This can help you gain greater control of your time, and be able to complete the necessary tasks that lead you to achieving your goals.
7. Schedule time for yourself.
It’s important, even when focusing on working hard and achieving your goals, to also take time for yourself. Having a good work/life balance is crucial in maintaining your successes and achievements throughout the year. We all need a break sometimes.
Making the most of your free time ensures you have the energy, focus and motivation to achieve your goals during work hours. Do things you really enjoy; make time for your hobbies, for exercise, for unwinding your mind. Make time for your loved ones, for family, for friends.
It’s essential to have recreational time to sustain a healthy work-life balance, so you can then perform at your best and achieve those all important goals.
Convene wishes you a Happy New Year, and a prosperous 2025! You can find out how our 2024 went here, or see how Convene can help you achieve your goals in the coming year here.
