As 2023 comes to an end, and we are approaching the beginning of 2024, many of us are looking at the year in review to see what we have accomplished. Personally, I always feel pensive this time of the year, thinking through all the things that have happened.
Ever since I was a teen, I would sit down on New Year’s Eve, listen to A Long December from the Counting Crows, and write out my new year’s resolutions. That was before I had read all the studies currently available about how ineffective new year’s resolutions can be. Many times, we have a tendency to take on too many goals, or make them too difficult or too vague.
Although resolutions in the typical sense aren’t always useful, there are still ways to harness them to your advantage. It involves setting SMART goals, and limiting the amount of resolutions you set to 3 or less.
New Year's Resolutions - How to make them into a reality.
How to Set SMARTer Goals, so You Can Make Your Dreams a Reality
In addition to setting new goals or doing a year in review, many people enjoy making a vision board, setting intentions, or picking out a word of the year.
A few days ago, I went to the supermarket to pick up supplies for my vision board. I like going old-school and cutting up magazines to stick the pictures onto a poster board. But, if you aren’t the artsy type, you can do your vision board on Pinterest or another art program if you like that better. When December 31st rolls around, I’ll be getting crafty and outlining my vision.
Once I have a vision in place for the year, then I will set my goals for the year.
Although I don’t have the whole year mapped out yet, I have chosen my word of the year. My word of the year is softness. In contrast to a hard strength, I want to be soft and strong like silk. Able to shift and bend with the wind, and adapt to change.
Have you chosen a word of the year yet, or set your goals for 2024? If so, I would love to hear what you are aiming for this year!
Be safe, my friends, and I wish you all the best in 2024!
Nicole Dake
My word for this year was renewal, and for 2024 it is joy.