By MKAP Global · 3 min read
Effective new year goal setting starts by looking back before looking forward. Review the year that just ended, choose a small number of goals that genuinely matter, plan your first 90 days in detail and build simple habits that carry you through the months when motivation fades. Resolutions are wishes. Goals with plans and habits behind them are what change a year.
Key takeaways
- Review last year before setting new goals.
- Choose three goals at most, across different areas of life.
- Plan the first 90 days in detail; the rest of the year can stay flexible.
- Build habits and systems, not just resolutions.
- Schedule your mid-year review now.
Review the year that just ended
Before setting new goals, spend an hour on the old year. Ask:
- What were my biggest wins, at work and in life?
- What did I set out to do that did not happen, and why?
- What did I learn about myself?
- What do I want more of next year, and what do I want less of?
This review stops you from repeating goals that failed for the same reasons, and it reminds you of progress you may have forgotten.
Choose three goals that matter
New year enthusiasm tempts people into long lists. Long lists rarely survive February. Choose no more than three goals, ideally in different areas, for example:
- one career or business goal
- one learning or personal development goal
- one health, relationship or wellbeing goal
For ideas, see Personal Development Goals: 25 Examples. Write each goal in the SMART format so it is specific and has a deadline.
Plan your first 90 days
A whole year is too long to plan in detail, and too long to stay motivated by a distant deadline. Instead, break each goal into what you will achieve by the end of March. Then plan the first month week by week.
| Goal | By end of March | First week of January |
|---|---|---|
| Move into a team lead role by year end | Complete a leadership course; lead one project | Enrol in the course; ask my manager about project opportunities |
| Run a 10 km race in autumn | Run 5 km comfortably | Schedule three runs in my calendar |
| Read 12 books this year | Finish three books | Choose the first book and set a daily reading time |
At the end of March, review progress and plan the next 90 days.
Build habits and systems, not just resolutions
Motivation is high on January 1 and low by mid-February. Habits and systems carry you through the gap:
- Schedule it. Put the actions for each goal in your calendar like meetings.
- Make it easy. Lay out your running shoes, keep the book by your bed, bookmark the course.
- Start small. Ten minutes a day that you actually do beats an hour you skip.
- Track it. A simple tick on a calendar builds momentum.
- Plan for bad days. Decide in advance what the minimum version looks like when life gets busy.
Our guide How to Set Achievable Goals and Actually Reach Them covers these techniques in depth.
Learn from the MKAP Symposium
MKAP's very first symposium, held on December 30, 2023, focused on setting yourself up for success in the new year.
▶ From the MKAP Symposium: Strategizing for Success in the Year 2024
Common new year goal mistakes
- Setting too many goals. Focus beats ambition spread thin.
- Choosing goals you think you should want. Goals tied to your real values last longer.
- No plan beyond January. Plan in 90-day blocks.
- All or nothing thinking. Missing a week is not failure. Restart the next day.
- Never reviewing. Schedule a quarterly check-in and a mid-year review now.
Frequently asked questions
When should I set my new year goals?
Late December or the first week of January works well. Some people prefer to wait until mid-January, once routines settle.
What is the difference between a resolution and a goal?
A resolution is an intention, such as "get fit". A goal is specific, measurable and has a plan behind it, such as "run a 10 km race in October, training three times a week".
How many new year goals should I set?
Three at most. You can add more once the first ones become habits.
What if I have already given up on my new year goals?
Start again with the smallest possible version of the goal. Progress at any point in the year counts.
Related guides
- How to Set Achievable Goals and Actually Reach Them
- What Is a SMART Goal? Definition and Career Examples
- Mid-Year Review: How to Reset Your Goals for the Second Half of the Year
Keep growing with MKAP
Every two months, MKAP hosts a free live symposium where executive coaches, business leaders and experienced professionals share practical lessons on career, business and leadership. Join the next MKAP Symposium or subscribe to our newsletter to get the date and join link in your inbox.