New Year, new goals, right? But let’s be real—how many times have you set resolutions only to watch them fade away by February? This year, it’s time to stop the cycle and start setting goals that actually stick—because they matter to you. We are standing on the dawn of yet another year and setting New Year’s Resolutions and goals for 2025 is all the rage and filling my inbox, social platforms, and conversations. People, you’re preaching to the choir here!
If you know me, you know I LOVE a good planner, checklists, goals, and personal challenges. For years I’ve joined the crowds in claiming this as my year to get fit, feel as energized as I was at 25, and break 6 figures (challenging when you’ve been a stay at home mom for 17+ years!). I’ve also been one of those in the statistics that claim only 22% of resolutions are actually met. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of proving a statistic correct. After a lot of self-reflection and research, I’ve identified a valuable missing aspect. Value alignment.
I’m sure you’ve heard the “rules” to setting successful goals: Make them real, make them SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound), make time for them. So what’s missing? Making them PERSONALLY RELEVANT. Without aligning goals to our values, we don’t have the deeper connection needed when the challenge of life gets real. I want the 6 pack abs I had at 18. Who doesn’t right?! I can set a timeline to make this happen and choose an exercise program that makes it nearly impossible to fail. However, when life happens and I am running from 6 am to 9 pm working, attending my kids activities, cooking dinner, doing laundry, cleaning the house, paying the bills and prepping everything to repeat it all again tomorrow, the image of 6 pack abs just isn’t going to cut it. I’m tired.
However, recognizing that maintaining my core (& overall physical health) allows me to remain active so I can attend my kids’ events, feel strong, reduces inflammation and joint stiffness, helps balance hormonal shifts, reduces the likelihood of many age-related illnesses including diabetes, dementia, high blood pressure, and more, I am setting myself up for a greater possibility of meeting this goal. I can increase my success further by getting honest about the time I have to devote to this goal. I guarantee I’ll fail if my goal is 1 hour workouts 5 times a week. However, 20 minutes 6 times a week is feasible for me and hard to tell myself the lie that I don’t have the time. I can walk while waiting for sports practices or Driver’s Ed classes to finish, I can have a dance party while cooking dinner, or I can break it into four 5 minute blocks if it’s a really crazy day. Since wellness is one of my top three values, I’ve connected this goal to something personally relevant. It’s a built-in trick for success.
Here’s how to align your New Year’s Resolutions in 5 easy steps:
Find a list of values (Brene Brown has a great one. Many others are available with a simple internet search).
Without overthinking it, make a mark by all the values that speak to you. Go with your gut.
Review your list, grouping words into similar values.
For example, under Wellness I have physical health, spirituality/faith, emotional wellbeing, learning/mental wellness, nature, fun and simplicity/balance.
Ask yourself key questions:
What would you sacrifice most things for?
What fills your soul when you make time for it?
What do you crave creating space for in your life? Why is this important?
Narrow your list down to 3-5 Core Values that are non-negotiable to creating a full life for you.
As you step into 2025, revisit your top values while setting goals. Whether it’s creating a vision board or annual resolutions, ask yourself: Does this connect to my values?
Grab a cup of tea, take some quiet time, and get started. You’re not just setting goals—you’re designing a life that feels authentic and joyful. Here’s to a year full of magic!