Goal Setting for 2024: Planning My Biggest Year Yet
Say it with me: "I am going to have my biggest year yet in 2024!"
Last January 1st might feel like just yesterday, but believe it or not, we're about to ring in a whole new year (and a whole NEW me!). As 2023 comes to a close, I don't know about you, but I am READY. I'm pumped to reflect back on the past 12 months while simultaneously setting my sights on all the exciting possibilities ahead.
A fresh start is good for the soul! 2024 is calling our names, and it's time to set the kind of bold, brave goals that align with our highest potential.
In fact, studies show that people who set measurable, time-oriented goals for the future experience greater feelings of fulfilment, purpose, and success on a daily basis. Imagine living every day of 2024 with that type of motivation!
That's what I'm talking about. Let's start this new year off right by mapping out epic dreams in all areas of life—from careers, to relationships, travel plans (hello dream vacay!), and self-growth. Then, let's break 'em down into bitesize steps so they actually happen!
I don't know about you, but I am so READY to make 2024 my best, biggest, wildest year yet. We've got this!
I'm going to walk you through my proven process for transformational goal-setting. Get ready for insight on:
- How to tap into your biggest dreams and identify inspiring "stretch goals"
- Staying laser-focused with the magical Rule of 3
- Turning lofty goals into measurable month-to-month plans
- The smartest goal tracking systems (hint: think apps, calendars, & accountability partners)
- Tips to stay motivated all 12 months of the year
- And SO much more!
My hope is that you walk away feeling fired-up, focused, and ready to take on 2024. This is OUR year! Now, let's dive into this good stuff...
Identifying Your Biggest Goals
The first step to mapping out your best year yet? Getting ultra-clear on your top DREAMS across all categories—from your career, relationships, self-growth, health, travel plans and beyond.
This is the fun part where we ignore limitations and get to brainstorm like we're suddenly best friends with Oprah (manifesting this, btw). What would you dare to dream if you knew you couldn't fail? YES to that!
To get your creative juices flowing, here are a few prompts to ask yourself:
CAREER GOALS: Where do you see yourself professionally by December 2024? Dream big! Do you hope to take on more responsibility at work? Get promoted? Change companies or roles altogether? Launch your own business or side hustle?
RELATIONSHIP GOALS: How can you foster deeper connections and joy in your relationships over the next 12 months? Do you hope to strengthen your bond with your partner, kids or closest friends? Set aside sacred time each week to invest? Plan memorable date nights or trips together?
TRAVEL GOALS: Are there any destinations you're longing to cross off your bucket list in 2024? Dream vacations you can save towards or plan with loved ones? Maybe you've had your sights set on Paris, Hawaii or a cross-country road trip!
PERSONAL GROWTH GOALS: How do you hope 2024 shapes you into an even better version of yourself? This spans self-care routines, trying new hobbies that light you up, taking courses, reading personal development books, starting therapy...you name it!
See what I mean about brainstorming like you're BFFs with Oprah? 😉 This is YOUR year. Give yourself permission to articulate your biggest, brashest dream goals across ALL categories! Not just professionally, but personally too.
Once you've brainstormed the biggies, I'll walk you through refining and narrowing things down. But for now, this is about dreaming BIG.
Quick Exercise: Grab a journal and free-write out your biggest dreams and stretch goals under each category—career, personal growth, relationships, etc. Set a timer for 10 minutes if that helps keep the ideas flowing! Capture whatever comes up.
I'll wait right here until you've tapped into some juicy goals...
Welcome back! Let's jump into narrowing down your big dream list into an ultra-focused Game Plan...aka Goals 2.0!
The Magical Rule of 3
Chances are your visionary brain dump exercise uncovered more big dreams and goal ideas than you can feasibly tackle in 12 short months. Am I right?
As motivated as we might feel on January 1st, taking on a laundry list of 20 goals often leaves us overwhelmed and burnt out by mid-February. Not this year! That's why we'll be calling on the magical Rule of 3.
This timeless goal-setting filter encourages narrowing your focus to just YOUR 3 BIGGEST Goals per category. The ones that will be absolute game-changers if achieved.
Your magnificent Rule of 3 line-up might look something like this:
CAREER – My 3 Biggest Goals
- Change companies by securing a Senior Marketing Manager role
- Complete my Certified Public Speaking certification
- Launch my profitable side hustle coaching entrepreneurs
RELATIONSHIPS – My 3 Biggest Goals
- Have bi-weekly date nights with my partner
- Host a summer backyard getaway for friends
- Call my parents/siblings weekly
See what I mean? The Rule of 3 filter forces clarity around what matters MOST, so you can channel focused energy accordingly. Let's run through each category and define the set of 3 goals per section that would be most meaningful if achieved this year.
Quick Exercise: Grab your brainstorm list and narrow it down to YOUR 3 most inspiring Goals per category (career, relationships, personal growth, etc.) using the Rule of 3 model.
Welcome back with fresh eyes and focus! Now we'll turn those big bucket list dreams into measurable month-to-month Plans of Action...
Mapping Out Your Master Plan
Woo! We tapped into big, wild dreams and narrowed our focus using the Rule of 3. High fives all around! Now comes the game-changing next step...
Breaking each of those 3 Big Goals per category into smaller action steps scheduled across 12 months. This transforms lofty dreams from someday wishes into measurable month-to-month plans. Welcome to the Master Plan Builder!
It may sound daunting, but I promise it's totally doable with just a little planning. Here's exactly how to turn each of your 3 Big Goals into month-to-month action plans:
- Review your 3 dream goals per category again and ask yourself - which months would be smart timing to schedule related action steps?
For example: Goal = "Change companies by securing a Senior Marketing Manager role"
Action Step = Update resume in January and February Action Step = Search job listings in March, April to identify openings
Action Step = Apply to opportunities starting in May
Make sense? Map out logical monthly progress markers that ladder up to your end Goal for each of your BIG 3 per category.
- Now, under each month (i.e. January, February etc.) schedule out the exact action steps aligned to your Goals that should happen by when.
For example, under January specifically you might put:
- Update resume
- Refresh LinkedIn profile
- Schedule informational interviews
Under February:
- Complete 1 informational interview per week
- Send updated resume to professional contacts
You get the gist! Plot each milestone task under the month it should be completed by. Repeat this process across all 12 months of 2024 until you have monthly action steps mapped out that support achieving your 3 big goals per category.
Quick Exercise: Using the above models, break your 3 Big Goals per category into specific action steps organized month-by-month over the next 12 months. Plot out your dream Master Plan!
Welcome back with an actionable blueprint to make 2024 your best year yet! But here comes an AWESOME pro-tip...
I've talked extensively about backward planning and mapping major goals across 12 months. But Mama needs help staying on track from all the plotting and planning! 😉 That's why I swear by scheduling EVERY goal-aligned task into my calendar and setting HOURLY reminders leading up to big milestones on my phone.
Overkill? Maybe. But undeniable too! Seeing my dreams actively pinged into my daily routine is like having a productivity cheerleader. "Hey! We're one step closer to changing careers!" 📣📣 Meet you at the one year finish line, when we're celebrating epic progress!
Stay tuned for my next post soon detailing my exact systems for organized goal tracking all year long - think apps, journals, accountability partners and more! But for now...
Let's DO this 2024 dream team! 🙌 What big goals landed on YOUR Master Plan? Share in the comments if you feel so inspired! Now, onto smashing things.
There you have it, friends! Everything you need to set BOLD stretch goals and map out an action plan to make 2024 your healthiest, happiest, most epic year yet!
The time is NOW to step fully into your potential. To live by design, not default! You've got incredible things ahead in 2024, I just know it.
Wishing you incredible clarity and courage ahead. This is OUR year! Now, let's hustle. 💫
