There is no rule that all New Year’s resolutions must be made on January 1st! In fact, we never think about our goals that year either too early or too late. Additionally, knowing your annual goals can be a continuous process. So keep reading and learn the important goals that everyone should set!
Setting goals for this year is not intended to lock you in a strict mindset of success or failure. It is simply intended to help you reflect what you want from life and create steps to achieve it over time.
That said, you can set annual goals in any or all areas of your life. Here are 29 ideas about annual goals for your finances, careers, health, relationships and personal development!
For your finances
This blog is all about finances, so it makes sense to start with ideas for annual financial goals! The best new goals of the year will of course depend on where you are on your financial journey.
You may be checking out some of these money goals from the list!
However, it is always good to see where you are standing whenever necessary and update your goals.
1. Building or replenishing emergency funds (one of the most important annual goals)
Emergency funds are the perfect financial goals for an emergency fund to have first, as they are savings that allow you to live without work or deal with other surprising costs without paying debt.
The recommended amount for emergency savings is 3-6 months’ basic living expenses, such as food, housing, transportation, and core utilities, or if it seems overwhelming, you should work on saving the first $1,000 and building from there.
2. Create a monthly budget that is bound by your annual goals
Budget is also a basic financial goal. This is because you can get a complete picture of how much you make, how much you are spending, and where there may be leaks on the ship.
There are a variety of budgeting methods, so you need to choose the one that appeals most. Try percentage budgets or biweekly or monthly budgets, depending on the date you are paid.
You can spend a little extra cash, whether you pay off your debt, increase your savings, achieve your financial goals, or quit early. Whatever that is, starting a side hustle will help you speed up your goal timeline.
Check out these ideas for how to add $1,000 a month, such as writing freelance or starting an online store. If you’re thinking more about making your business your side, start learning how to start a side hustle.
4. Provides details about your retirement account
There is no rule that you have to wait until you retire until you reach 65 years old. The earlier you start saving, the more you crave that financial freedom in your grasp.
Have you not started a retirement account yet? Here’s everything you need to know about how to start saving for retirement!
5. Try out the no-payment assignment
Have you heard of invalid challenges? It is a period of time, usually a few weeks to a month, eliminating all non-essential expenditures during which time.
You still pay for rent, gas, utilities, groceries and other essentials, but this is your chance to identify bad money habits and find a new (free) way to entertain yourself.
In my opinion, it’s a great simple way to save money. You can start with a useless week and then go your path throughout the month without spending extra money.
6. Plan your financial goals
There are many different types of financial goals. Some are short-term, such as saving Christmas with budgets and holidays. And some are medium-term goals, such as saving down payments on your home and paying off your car.
Others are your long-term goals. This can be big things like paying off a mortgage or reaching a certain net worth at a certain age. Resolve your financial goals overview so you can start measuring your progress.
7. Grow good money habits
Like any habit, good money choices take practice and repetition.
By increasing the amount of time you’re just starting out or how much you clean up each time, prioritize savings, whether you’re bent your savings muscles or not. Debt management, stay eager to pay it off and avoid future debt.
And of course, it removes those bad habits. Nothing blocks your path to your goals, like lasting bad habits like credit card debt or overexpenditure.
To build your career
Most people work 9-5 five days a week, so it’s important to enjoy what we do and set career strategies and goals for the year. Here are some good goals and ideas!
8. Learn new professional skills (one of the most profitable annual goals to set)
Learning new things never ends after graduating from high school or university. It’s a lifelong process! Improve your current money-making skills and add one or two new skills to Arsenal to make you more attractive, passionate and competitive in your field.
It makes it easier to switch jobs if you prepare for a promotion and your situation changes.
As an example, there are some high-income skills that will help you bring in more of this money!
9. Apply for a promotion
Sometimes the promotion just falls on our lap. Otherwise, you have to be bold and ask for them! That may sound intimidating, but there is a right way to proceed.
I recommend thinking about the value you bring to your role. We recommend asking your manager or colleagues if you are looking at the area of ​​improvement and letting High Up know that you are interested and ambitious.
However, conversations are as simple as asking your boss what it takes to reach the next level or what it takes to ask for a raise.
10. Create (or update) your website and restart it
So, if you don’t have a personal website yet, building it will be a great goal every year. The website is your own professional “home” on the internet.
You can use it to showcase yourself, highlight the projects you’ve worked on, write a blog post to show you expertise on a specific topic, and let recruiters know how to contact you. Update your resume at the same time (even if there are work gaps)!
11. We strive for a healthy work-life balance
Is “low work” a really effective career goal? absolutely! If you are beginning to feel burned out, your body and brain are telling you what you are doing is unsustainable.
When you spend all your time at work, you are prioritized from other important areas of your life – as you only have 24 hours that day.
Over time, burnouts will start to affect your career performance, so it’s important to stop it on that track. Check out the article Why both time and money are valuable (and how to do balancing acts between them).
I am very intended to take a break when I’m at work, and I have specific times when I’m completely disconnected from work on weekends and holidays.
12. Industry Network
These days, you can’t walk into the office with your resume, wave your manager’s hand, or go out to work. Sending online applications doesn’t feel very good. No matter how good your cover letter skills are, it is still difficult to distinguish them from dozens (or hundreds) of their competitors.
This is where the phrase “it’s not always something you know, someone you know” is true. The more you use networking tips and meet people in the industry, the more you will have connections such as career opportunities, referrals to new companies, and professional mentorship.
13. Invest in yourself as one of your annual goals
You are your biggest asset, so you are also your best investment. Pour into yourself so that you can pour into your future and help others.
Seek education to deepen your expertise or broaden your perspective. Choose meetings, mentors, and projects that will boost your career (and potentially acquire it!).
And don’t overlook the “softer” aspects of investing in yourself. Find a self-care routine that suits your personal needs and budget. Make your health and happiness your priority.
This will help you work on your goals, but in the long run, you can save time and money by preventing illness and burnout.
14. Have a job (or build a business) that meets your needs
Most of us work to make money. So you absolutely want your work to meet your financial needs and fund your financial goals.
There are many reasons why women face pay problems that make it difficult for them to achieve their goals. Of course, by seeking promotions, negotiating salary increases, and finding a place where you are better valued. Answer the question: how much money do you want to make: Is 100k a year good? 200k?
For many people, actually preferring their work is one of their basic needs. If you want to retire from being super young and are willing to grind hard conditions in the short term in exchange for a big sum of money, that may be the right solution for you. But if you need a long, fulfilling career to pay your bills, you do so.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in your current job or work environment, look for the environment you feel is right. Or, if your entrepreneurship is calling your name, start your business from scratch.
For your health
You only get one body, so it’s important to take care of that and your mental health. Here are some good goals for this year:
15. Focus on fresh and clean meals
When life gets busy, eating habits is often one of the first things. It’s very easy to swing through the drive-thru on the way home, and it’s not that easy to do monthly meal plans, chop and prepare, cook and wash.
However, the food we eat has a major impact on our health and well-being. So, despite the need for a little extra time and thought, a clean diet is a valuable goal.
Whole food plant-based diet works well for me. I love sites like BudgetBytes for quick and simple meal ideas that can be livened up at home. Learn more about living a healthy lifestyle on a budget.
16. Spend more time in nature
There are beautiful terms in Japanese –shinrin-yoku– In other words, it means “forest bathing.” This concept is about the many benefits we gain from nature, both mentally and physically. Forest bathing is as easy as wandering along natural trails, breathing fresh air and admiring your surroundings.
Time in nature reduces stress and lifts the mood. Check out the AllTrails or Traillink websites to find hidden gems in your area!
17. Find the exercise routine you love
Ideally, this goal could be combined with the above goals. You can ride a bike, jog in the nature, do yoga in the backyard at sunrise, or take fitness classes in the park. There are plenty of options.
There’s no problem with indoor training or hitting the gym. Of course, all sorts of movements, such as managing anxiety and improving mood, are amazing for our health.
18. Practice good sleep hygiene
Sleep is another daily habit that dramatically affects our lives.
According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep “hygiene” is a collection of behaviors and environments that help improve sleep.
Create good routines that include things that help you relax, such as meditation, listening to podcasts or reading, or something that brings comfort. Tips include following a consistent nightly routine, turning off your electronics 30-60 minutes before bedtime, and sleeping in a cool, dark, comfortable room.
To improve your relationship
There is little more important than the people we share our lives with, so make sure to include them in your goals for the year.
19. Learn the language of love
Discovered by Gary Chapman, the “Five Love Languages” is not an exact science, but it is a great way to start a conversation with your loved one about what they feel most loved and appreciated.
The main 5 is as follows:
- Words of affirmation
- Quality time
- Physical touch
- Acts of service
- Receive a gift
Many relationship conflicts arise from simple relationship communication issues and do not understand what others need. If your partner values ​​most of the quality of your time, a cheap picnic in the park might mean a necklace worth over $1,000.
20. Practice positivity and gratitude (the essence of annual goals to establish)
Sometimes we can enter into habits in our lives that make people take for granted. They are what you rely on when you need to vent your problems or bad days… and while this is important, too many complaints can change the relationship negatively.
Whether you are your partner, your best friend, or your parents or with your children, share regularly the reasons why you are grateful to them, and always aim to do your best to thank them for the smallest things.
21. Try out a new experience together
Descending into a dull routine is another stage where many relationships go. I go to work, go home, cook dinner, watch TV, sleep, repeat. Try new activities and take some time to confuse!
It doesn’t have to be flashy and you don’t have to leave the house. Check out these budget-friendly at-home date ideas. It involves the whole family in some of your ideas and accompanied by family night ideas.
twenty two. Prioritize friendships
As they age, their social circles become narrower as everyone is busy with their family, work and life. We purposefully do not let our precious friendship go down!
Your “circle of influence” affects everything from mood to eating habits to your finances. Surround yourself with the right people and strive to see them. Then you will enjoy the reward.
I found that one of the best ways to stay in touch with my friends is to make it a point of texting or make a monthly call. That way you can either catch up on the phone or plan to meet up with dinner or something later in the week.
23. Establish solid boundaries with yourself and others
Boundaries may be scary, but they are necessary to achieve your goals. Keep training with yourself.
Be your best advocate in every part of your life. Look back at what you need and what you want. Once you’ve become clear to yourself, let the people around you know it.
For example, if your family, friends, or partner has a different spending philosophy than you, but you know your goals, it’s easier to stand firm on your decisions. Learning to speak for yourself at work may improve how you feel about your work environment and even bring you closer to your career goals.
Look to your goals and know that healthy boundaries will make you faster.
For your personal development
Finally, there are some goals for the year to enrich your life and help you understand who you really are.
twenty four. Read a certain amount of books a year
The book has an incredible wealth of knowledge, entertainment and life advice. Depending on your reading speed, aim to read a certain amount of books a year.
For example, start once a month and see what happens. Choose from fiction, non-fiction or combinations!
Read recommendations for financial literacy books, career, business, and personal development books.
twenty five. Define your personal core values
When was the last time you sat down with yourself and thought about what really mattered to you? This is a bit of an existential time.
What kind of person do you want to be? What traits do you respect for others? How do you cultivate those characteristics within yourself and practice them in the real world?
Grab your diary and start brainstorming. You can also use the journal prompt for self-discovery.
For example, you can write down something like this:
- Independence is important to me, so I want to get out of debt and learn more independence skills.
- I value compassion and would like to participate in charity/animal shelters.
- I value adventure so I want to make more time for my trip and try new things.
Discovering and defining your personal core values ​​can help you lead the life you want to live.
26. An overview of the pros and cons
Make your goal every year to assess your own strengths and weaknesses along the same lines.
For example, this can be professional skills, personal traits, or anything you want to self-assess. Start with what you’re good at.
Are you maintaining a cool head in the midst of a crisis? Do numbers and words have a natural affinity? How can you leverage those strengths in your life? Next, move on to self-improvement ideas.
Are you missing a bit of your communication skills? Are you struggling with time management and self-discipline? Self-awareness is the first step to fixing an issue!
27. Limit social media and television
Did you know that the average internet user spends 143 minutes each day on social media, according to Statista? It’s almost two and a half hours a day. Tomorrow I’ll scroll through posts and photos I barely remember!
But what’s worse is that TV is cut down by the average American for 168 minutes a day, Oberlo claims.
So, according to Harvard Medical School, if you have sleep deprivation or creativity issues, that screen time can all be one of the causes. Your goal is to reduce time in front of the screen this year!
Social media detox is also beneficial for your finances.
28. Start a new hobby
So, if you don’t spend it scrolling on your phone or plunging in front of the TV, what do you do with all that extra time? Start a new hobby! Try the whole bunch to see what makes you feel passionate and cheerful.
It can be an outdoor hobbies such as hiking and kayaking, an indoor hobbies such as baking and playing musical instruments, or even a money-making hobby like woodworking or photography.
29. Manage your time
After all, time is money! Spend time doing productive and love. (It’s even better if the task checks both boxes.)
Maximize your time spent on side business and earn more in less time.
Rather than focusing on one thumb scroll in your inbox or mobile phone, focus on quality time with your loved ones. And yes, sometimes resting is truly the most productive way to spend your time.
I found that the main thing about time management is to make plans and follow them.
For example, plan your free time for several hours a week and how many people will be spent to achieve your goals.
Expert Tips: Smaller Goals for Success
For my big goals for the year I want to meet, it helps me to make them smaller. I’ve broken them down monthly, weekly, and day by day as needed. This approach proved to be very effective.
To stay organized by tracking your goals, use your annual calendar on your mobile phone or planner. You can then break down your goals into small chunks throughout the year, slowly achieving them without overwhelming yourself. Be sure to track your progress. I like to choose the day of the week to overcome my progress, like Sunday.
How to set your goals
With all these goal ideas in mind, you might wonder what the best way to get started. Try these ideas and help you set and stick to your plans.
Create your goals in a logical way
When mapping goals, there is no perfect formula. Smart goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevance, and time zones) can be used. Alternatively, you can set solid goals and work backwards to determine how they unfold.
You can also focus on the big picture of how you imagine your life and calculate what the milestones will bring you there.
Remember why your goals are important
Without a very specific reason to complete your goal, you could lose motivation. To get focused, I like to remind myself why my goals are so important.
For example, if you want to save on a six-month emergency fund, you need to define why it is important. “I’m saving a six-month emergency fund so I can have financial security and avoid pay to pay.”
Come up with a sentence explaining your reason and see it when you are losing focus.
What is your example of your first year goal?
A goal for about a year is to save a certain amount, learn a language, or commit to a new fitness routine. There are a lot of short-term goals like these.
When thinking about your year-long goals, consider how much time you can spend on them, how much money they will cost, and more. Reward yourself along the way!
What are the three main good goals?
When choosing three key goals, try choosing from three important categories: finance, family, and health.
Or, if necessary, something for personal development, something related to your career, and simply for fun.
Once you have selected a category, choose a reasonable goal that will be completed in a rather short time frame, such as 1-3 years.
For example, save $10,000 in a year, pay off your debts, hike 100 miles in a year, get a new job, etc.
Do you have fun goals and what are they?
Yes, there are lots of fun goals. These are up to you as you achieve your own goals! If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend considering your interests.
If you love reading fiction, your goal is to read books from five authors, new to you. Or, if you’re interested in creating a higher salary, complete a fun and rewarding course to promote your career.
A few other ideas to consider are to undertake a new hobby, save on your vacation budget, or travel where you’ve always wanted to go. The main point is to set goals from what you enjoy.
Articles related to goals
If you’re ready to start a new goal now, read these posts to get more inspiration!
Every year’s goal is a great way to improve your life!
In reality, these annual goal ideas look different to everyone, as we all have different lives, resources and situations. Now it’s most important to you and it’s up to you to understand how you achieve them!
However, getting your money right will lead to wealth and success, so setting financial goals should definitely be at the top of the list. Learn how to create the right financial goals with a completely free goal setting course!