How to set your new year goals

December 31, 2023

Welcome to The Productivity Blueprint newsletter 🗞️

Before we get into the topic for this week, we want to learn more about everyone’s morning routines from last week!

If you missed last week, you can catch up here 🙂

As it’s the time of year for New Years resolutions, today, we’re going to look closely at goal-setting. Statistics show that only 9% of people are able to successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions. But we think, with more intention and analysis behind the goals, this number could be much higher. Let’s take a look at how you should set your goals heading into 2024.

"The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea, buried deep in our subconscious, will direct us along the path to its fulfilment."

Earl Nightingale - The Strangest Secret

Whether it be for New Year resolutions, or enhanced productivity, it's essential to master the art of setting and achieving smart goals.

Here is a breakdown of what it means to be SMART, using my resolution heading into 2024 of lowering my stress levels and feelings of overwhelm:

  1. Specific Goals: Be crystal clear about what you want to achieve; make sure it is clearly defined.

    • Example: "I will practice mindfulness to reduce my stress levels and improve my overall mental well-being."

  2. Measurable Outcomes: How will you know when you've achieved your goal? Make it quantifiable.

    • Example: "I will track my progress by journaling my stress levels and mental state daily, rating them on a scale from 1 to 10."

  3. Achievable Goals: Ensure that your goals are within reach. Setting the bar too high can lead to frustration and burnout. Start with manageable objectives, and gradually raise the stakes as you gain confidence.

    • Example: "I will start with 5 minutes of mindfulness meditation each day and gradually increase the duration as I become more comfortable with the practice."

  4. Relevance: Are your goals aligned with your larger objectives and values? Make sure your efforts are in sync with your personal and professional aspirations to stay motivated.

    • Example: "Improving my mental health through mindfulness will help me manage anxiety and increase my productivity at work."

  5. Time-bound: Without a deadline, even the best plans can languish. Set a target date for each goal to keep yourself accountable and focused.

    • Example: "By the end of the first quarter of the year, I aim to have established a daily mindfulness routine and to have reduced my stress levels by at least 10% based to my journal ratings."

This SMART goal framework provides a structured and efficient way to approach your New Year's resolutions, and make you part of that 9% 😉

The SMART Goals template helps you think strategically about your targets and develop a clear plan to accomplish them without sounding too vague or unrealistic.

What we love: Seeing your goals visually is a great way to break them down and see where you need added clarity.

Strides is a comprehensive goal and habit tracker that enables you to set, monitor, and achieve your SMART goals with precision. It provides various goal types, such as habit tracking, target tracking, and project management.

What We Love: Strides' "Streaks" feature helps you maintain consistency by visualizing your progress over time. As you build streaks with your habits, you'll find yourself motivated to keep them going.

💡 Challenge of the week

Break down your main priority goal for 2024 using the SMART framework above. Respond back to this email with your goal, so we can help you break it down even further 🙌

Looking forward to hearing how this goes for everyone next week, and wishing you all the best in the new year ahead.

Until then,

The Productivity Blueprint Team