Pocket Change: Pre-New Years Resolution Survey

Pocket Change: Pre-New Years Resolution Survey

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before January 1st

Ready or not, here comes the New Year. Just 19 days away! If you are like me, you aren’t really sure WHAT happened to 2014, or if you really accomplished a whole lot this year. Okay, so my kids are still alive, I’m alive, my husband is alive. THAT’S something.

But what happened to my list of incredible goals to accomplish this year? I think it may be gathering dust on a shelf or might be in the notebook I threw out last week while I was in major de-clutter mode. Not sure. But this seems to happen to me too often. Every new year I create a lengthy list of spectacular intentions to change myself, my family, and the world. And although I can say I do accomplish more than just keeping myself and my family alive, I wish that I had a way to change more throughout the year.

There has GOT to be a better way to do this, am I right?!?!! Yes, yes, I think I am. As I think about making goals, setting resolutions for a new year ahead, I have to accept that I can’t become exactly who I want to be in a year, my husband and I can’t reach every financial goal we have in 2015, and if I try to tackle every craft project I have pinned on Pinterest, I might as well give up now!

So, while I am no expert at goal making, and while there are certainly other methods out there, here is my suggestion for helping you and me make better goals this year. Give yourself the following survey, and do it before the clock strikes twelve on December 31^st. Give yourself some time to answer the questions, and really think about what means the most to you. The whole point of setting goals and working towards change is to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. This survey is designed to help you narrow things down, so that you can both keep your 2015 resolutions, and so that they will be more meaningful. So here it goes…

#1 – What am I most grateful for that happened in 2014?

Take time to think about what went well this year. Did you get a new job you love or a promotion? Did you have the chance to reunite with a long-lost friend? Maybe you are learned a new skill or sport. Take time to be grateful for what you already have and who you already are. Having a grateful mindset will give you a positive mindset and help you hone in on what really matters to you, both of which are important in setting good goals for the coming year.

#2 – What goals did I reach this year?

If you (unlike me) still have your resolution list from last year, take a look. What are the things you accomplished? Reflect on the changes you have made this year. I am willing to bet, list or no list, we can all find ways, small and large, that we have become better. Give yourself several pats on the back and keep the positivity going!

Now, before you start looking at the things you didn’t get done, TRASH LAST YEAR’S LIST! Before you get too caught up in what happened (or didn’t happen) this year, move on! This can be such a hard thing to do, but in order to set good goals for the coming days, you’ve got to be willing to LET GO of those ways that you fell short. The best way to reach toward change is by giving yourself a clean slate to work from. Learn from mistakes and failures, but leave them in the past and get ready to move forward!

#3 – What does my 2015 look like so far?

Planning is essential to reaching goals. It’s easy to scrawl “run my first marathon” on your list and be pumped to do it. But without a training schedule and a plan for when and where to run, you won’t likely succeed. So grab a 2015 calender and start blocking out things you know are coming. Thinking about major life events or changes that are coming will help you better plan for reaching the goals you set. It can also help you realize how much – or how little – time you have to dedicate towards your goals. It will also get you really excited about great things to come!

#4 – If I could choose Only One Thing to accomplish next year, what would it be?

Priorities. If we are going to make meaningful changes in our lives, we have to choose what matters most to us, and make it the first thing we work on. Don’t get me wrong, your resolutions list doesn’t have to consist of one solitary item! But the things you list should be truly important to you. And right now, during the Christmas season, we have the perfect opportunity to reflect on what matters the most to us. Take advantage of the moments you are feeling the joy of the season and think about what is most meaningful, and then infuse those things into the goals you set.

#5 – What relationships will I work on in 2015?

Maybe this should read, “Who is most important to me?” Think back to the goals you set this year. Shoot! If you obediently trashed your list as directed in question 2, I apologize! It would’ve been pretty handy right now… But think about it. Did all of your goals revolve around you?? Probably. It’s the nature of goal-setting. But here’s a challenge for the coming year. Set goals to improve your relationships. People matter more than anything else. Think about who matters to you, and set a goal or two for making your relationships grow next year. You definitely won’t regret it!

And you’re done! Phew! It may seem like a bit of a soul-searching, deep list of things to ponder, but I think that a little honest reflection is great fuel for setting awesome new years goals. I’ll let you know how it works for me :).