New Year Goals and the format I use to come up with them

Over my years of blogging, I have shared a hand full of New Year goals. Usually just in a cute fancy decorated image. Listing one through five general goals without giving any other context or meaning behind them. Now that I have gotten older and my mindset is a little clearer, my goals are more meaningful.

 That being said I don’t just list one through five goals anymore. I have moved on to actual visions and images that give more details and makes it easier to see my goals and what I want for myself.

Today I will be sharing with you my 2023 New Year goals, how I came up with such goals, and the details behind them. 

First: Have an idea of what you want and where you are going

Let’s get out a piece of paper and a pen for this part because we are going to be doing a lot of thinking. I break up my goals into sections:

1. Right Now
2. In this Year
3. In the next 5 years

This is a basic structure for me with a lot of different things, including my inbox and to-do list. I find it to be a very basic formula but it gets you to the point.

So the first one is RIGHT NOW.

List everything you need to do right now when it comes to setting up your year and future. It’s the basic stuff that’s fast and easy to do or get. For me its:

• Favorite pens
• Personal size planner inserts
• Spiral Planner (for blog post planning)
• Budget Sheets
• Water Tumbler
• Time management book

I know looking at my list of things you’re probably thinking Why? Or This list is looney! Well, maybe it is. But these is the stepping stones to help you have those greater goals. As we move on you will see how it aligns. Never judge a book by its cover!

The second one is IN THIS YEAR.

This is my favorite section to think about. I love the idea of making a list of ideas to accomplish this year. I feel free of rushing in doing them or finishing them right away but I have an excellent guide for my life and where I want it to go. You get twelve months to make a difference in getting you to that five-year mark. My list looks like this:

• Workout and eat better for my weight
• Go on a vacation
• Save ten thousand dollars
• Get my license
• Buy my favorite car
• Get engaged 
• Move out
• Blog full time

Some things in this year’s section might need more time. For example, Getting Engaged. I don’t have full control over that. Would it be nice for it to happen this year? YES! But that doesn’t mean it will, I know. I do have hope though and I do believe that’s what matters. You have to believe in the things you want for yourself because no one else will.

The last section is IN THE NEXT Five YEARS.

This is my future section but I look at the future in a five year span. Mainly because you never know what’s going to happen and I’m not planning out anything longer than that. I have done this every years now since 2020 and things just move to the next year if it don’t get finished it happens and my thoughts on life change. So make your list and we can move on to the next part.

All three of your list should be made by now. Take the time to look it over, and move something around if you need to. Even get rid of something you feel could fit in another section.

Second: The vision is what guide you on your individual path

All that hard work of thinking and planning wasn’t for nothing. You now have all of your ideas for the visual part of your goals.

 I am so proud of you! 

With the visual, I like to make two different versions of this. I will make a phone layout for my lock screen and a physical board with cutouts.

I like to start with Pinterest for both versions and create a private folder there. Then I will look for inspirational photos that reflect my vision for the year or five-year goals. This is a great starting point to define your vision. For example, one of my year goals was to buy my favorite car. That’s not giving a visual for what the car brand or model is nor what color it is. You should be able to look at the image you found and see it as yours.

For the lock screen or any type of digital version, I like to use Canva to create the visual. You can use the starting points they have for you when it comes to the size or you can add your dimensions for the fit. Then just add the saved images from Pinterest and make a collage.

Now for the physical vision board. You can go to Dollar Tree or any art supply store and get a poster board. They should be cheap; depending on your size, you could need two. I like to use a cork board then I can change anything if I feel like it. Your Pinterest images can go on your board or you can use old magazines to clip out the things you like. I use both methods because sometimes I can’t find what I need in magazines. So put it all together and you’re done.

Third: Your goals in sight are easy to accomplish 

Everything should be finished now and looking great. You can visually see your goals and know what’s on your list to work towards and accomplish. I hope you found this guide understandable and maybe you can use these same steps to other parts of your life.

Like I promised from the beginning, I will be sharing my 2023 New Year goals and the meaning behind them. I don’t have a particular order these goal go in nor do I know of how many I have from the top of my head. All of my goals intertwined with each other because they all make up how I want my life to be.

• Get Your Digits! Savings is a huge thing for me right now. I’m going to be doing a blog post talking about the steps and how I save money. With examples and tools i use to accomplish even the basics. Its going to be an educational post. But long story short, saving ten thousand is my goal. But overall getting money is the main mission. 
• Dream car and tags! If you don’t know I don’t have my drivers license. It has always been something I wanted to get but has gotten to the point of being scared or just plain out putting it off. Not having it is causing stress and I need to get to placed I have to go. For the car I want a Jeep so freaking bad and I will have it.
• Working out, eating healthy and losing weight has been a life struggle for me. It’s always on my list but I have become more comfortable in my body. That doesn’t mean letting go it just means not stressing so much about it and doing what i need to do to be healthy.
• Iphone: The forest green color is so cute. I used to be an iPhone person and I miss it. We can have a whole debate on iPhones and androids. I love them both! There are always hits and misses. I want a pro or a pro max. Not picky if it’s a 12, 13, or 14 though. What would cancel all this out is if T-Mobile brings the Sidekick back. Phone was before its time. It was innovative and cute.
• Moving: I want my place! I have never had my own and that’s what I need. Huge goal!
• Engaged: It’s going to happen! I don’t know the details. I just believe and put it out there.
• I’M The Boss! This blog turning into a full time business where i can get a full time income would be a dream come true. I enjoy every bit of sharing with you and inspiring you. I’m not giving up.