The uncertainty of the last couple of years makes it even more important to get crystal clear on where you’re going for the coming year. And that means planning and goal setting.
What have you learned from the past few years? One thing I learned is that anything and everything can happen! I’m more than ready to put these rollercoaster years in the rearview mirror and plan for the future. How about you?
Setting Goals
You may have goals for many aspects of your life. The important thing when setting goals is that they’re SMART goals. What is that, you ask? SMART stands for:
Specific – focus on one thing
Measurable – not just “more” or “less,” use actual numbers or other specific indicators
Achievable – set yourself up for success
Reasonable – for example, if you’re trying to lose weight, make it an amount that’s possible
Time-bound – deadlines are motivating
Goal Setting Tips
- Think about what you want to achieve in your lifetime, your legacy.
- Write them down or make a vision board. This helps hone your focus. Be sure only to use positive statements. For example, eat three healthy meals/per day instead of eating less junk.
- For bigger goals, break them into smaller milestones and track your progress.
- Stay motivated by remembering your why.
Types of Goals
You can set goals for any aspect of your life. Some of the most common are:
- Career
- Finance
- Health
- Relationships
- Personal Development & Growth
- Spirituality
- For even more ideas, check out these 50 examples
Finance Goals
While we could look at each one in-depth, I will dive deeper into financial goals because Covid and inflation have changed how many Americans view and handle their finances. The following table is taken from a survey by Credit Karma and indicates the aspects of finances people have changed the most in different age groups.
| New habit | All respondents | 18–34 | 35–54 | 55 or older |
| Following a budget | 37% | 53% | 37% | 26% |
| Reprioritizing necessities and spending less on daily expenses (for example, gym, transportation, takeout) | 36% | 47% | 38% | 27% |
| Focusing more effort on saving | 33% | 57% | 28% | 23% |
| Tracking my credit scores more closely | 21% | 28% | 26% | 13% |
| Learning more about financial markets and investing | 16% | 21% | 19% | 10% |
The pandemic changed how many Americans approach their finances, and most plan to keep it up in the coming years. But unfortunately, this may be part of why people still worry about their financial situation.
Have you changed any aspects of how you handle your finances and budget due to the pandemic, inflation, and talk of recession?
Mastering Financial Organization: Creating a Timeless Financial Calendar
Planning Your Future
If one of your goals for this year is to be more organized with your finances or time (remember to write it using the SMART method above), Our 62-page Life Planner (now free!) was developed based on our time as a personal assistant. It includes printable pages to coordinate your daily schedule, view your week, month, or even year at a glance, track your goals, and more.
Use Habit Stacking to Improve Your Finances
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