Yearly goals, are exactly what the title suggests. These are targets that you hope to achieve in the new year. However, it’s important to know that as you aim to achieve them in the next 12 months, they are considered short term goals. But, if you keep at them, they become medium to long term and then eventually life achievements. So in this post, we will look at yearly goals: 12 ways to build a better you 2024.
1. Commit 30 minutes to learning Something New.
Many professionals, will tell you that to learn a new skill, whether it is an instrument or another language. The best way to do it is by committing a set amount of time each day to learning. The time you choose will vary according to what you can commit too.
Consistency is Key🔑
So, with that knowledge in mind. If you want to learn something new this year. Try to commit to that thing everyday. Yes, setting a time aside helps with routine. But, the bottom line is that your everyday commitment is what makes the difference.
Challenging yourself to learn something new is very helpful for the brain. A lot of research has found that creative outlets like painting and other art forms, learning an instrument, doing expressive or autobiographical writing, and learning a language can improve cognitive function.
2. Intentional Mornings
Be intentional with how you spend your mornings. So often, our mornings are rushed due to various responsibilities, like preparing for work, school, and getting young ones ready for the day.
This year try to follow a healthy morning routine. Try to make time for yourself in the morning, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Be intentional with how you spend those 15 minutes. Whether it’s journaling, making yourself a cup of tea, or simply resting in your bed before you start your day. Whatever you choose to do, just remember to start being intentional with your time in the mornings.
3. Walk 5 to 10k Steps Everyday
If you find that your lifestyle is sedentary due to factors like working from home, or just staying in doors often. Try to be more active this year by simply walking more.
For my drivers, I know it can be tempting to get into your car for every errand. But not every errand needs you to drive there. For my chronic taxi/ Uber enthusiasts, you could be saving so much money if you just walked that journey instead. Goes without saying, that I’m not talking about very long journeys or travelling at unsafe times. Use discretion!
Sedentary lifestyle’s, have a wide ranging adverse impacts on the human body. These include; risks of metabolic disorders, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and increased all-cause mortality.
To reduce our risk of ill-health from inactivity. The NHS England website recommends at least 150 minutes regular exercise a week.
4. Limit Screen Time
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Many of us spend way too much time on our phones. At the beginning of the year I took sometime off social media. I can honestly say, that I’ve been on my phone less and it has been wonderful. It’s so easy to be consumed by the stuff we see online that we neglect real life.
This year try to find balance. Less screen time and more living.
5. Make time for family
Life can get pretty busy which often makes it hard to connect and see our loved ones. At the end of 2023, it dawned on me that hadn’t seen many of my family members. Which on my part, is a shame.
But, I realised that the issue was that I wasn’t making time for my family. This applies to family members that we live with and those further away. Be intentional about seeing your family, set days aside to see them, plan ahead. Let us cherish and love our family members more this year by showing up.
6. Make time for Friends
I think, many of us will relate with this. I have one friend who I am very close to, but haven’t seen in ages. For us, the issue is distance. But I’m sure that if we committed to making the time, we would see each other more.
Let us not take for granted the time we still have with our loved ones. Which is why this year I want to make more time for the people that I love.
7. Limit or Cut Alcohol
It is important to learn to enjoy life without alcohol. Many people say that they find it hard to enjoy things without alcohol. It is tragic that many people feel this way, as life can definitely be enjoyed without drinking.
The NHS England Website has many great articles for people looking to limit or cut alcohol out of their lives. Make sure to check it out for support on cutting alcohol out and further professional services.
8. Create and Stick to a Budget
Saving, Saving, Saving
In this new year, create a budget for yourself and stick to it. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to have some savings on you.
Not everyone can save an immense amount of money each month. However, even the smallest amount still counts. As long as you commit to it you will have something at the end of the year.
9. Improve on Communication
In the past year, I can admit to the fact that my communication skills have been awful. I frequently forget to reply to messages and return calls.
There are ways that you can improve on your communication skills this year.
Start by calling your grandparents/ parents more, instead of texting. Im sure they would love to hear your voice.Also, start calling people to wish them happy birthday, instead of texting.
Call people, check up on people.
10. Quit Smoking
You’ve probably been saying that you’d quit smoking for years now. It may not have occurred to you that smoking is a really bad habit. Whichever category you fall into, it’s a New Year, and you can do it.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. So, you have to start off easy until you are can cut it off for good.
It said that when you quit smoking good things start to happen- you can immediately see improvements to your health. So make this the year that you finally quit smoking.
11. Travel More
Set a goal this year to travel more. There are so many different countries you can visit. I absolutely loved travelling with my friends last year. We got the opportunity to see amazing places, people, landscapes and try new food. These are memories that I will cherish forever.
Don’t neglect city breaks as well. We often travel out and forget that there are nice places to see local to us.
I did my first solo trip and it was in Edinburgh. Check out my tips on solo travel and how to book it.
12. Pray Everyday
Praying every day is a very important goal to aim for this year. For me, praying has always been a way to alleviate a lot of personal anxieties. It has also helped me grow a lot in my Christian Faith.
There are many reasons why people may choose to pray, whatever those may be. My encouragement to you is to pray more this year.
O’L Final Thoughts.
Make this year the best year of your life aiming for a better you. You can grow in your faith, health, and find new passions and hobbies that make you happy.
I truly believe that you can do it.
Let’s Stay Connected
Disclaimer: The information and other content provided in O’luminous blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
