How to set a direction for this year (without setting rigid goals)
The beginning of the year is the time of goals, intentions, and plans for the next months to come. Goals provide a clear direction and set your focus toward something. But goals can be tricky too and are sometimes not the best approach to set a direction for your life and career. This is because goals can be like black or white - either you reach them or you have failed! And particularly in a changing world that requires us to pivot fast, and adapt to changing circumstances and also our own changing needs, rigid goals can get in your way, instead of carrying you forward.So if you are hesitant to set rigid goals and are looking for an alternative to set a direction for the year ahead, then this article is for you.I am sharing five ideas with you on how you can assure to pursue what matters most to you, without the pressure and inflexibility of rigid goals.#1 Let your values guide you
Knowing your values is an extremely powerful asset to have. Your values reflect your deep needs and desires, they drive your behavior and thoughts, are the reason, and act as a filter of how you see the world.Because values have such an impact on us, you can use them perfectly to set a direction for your year.How to identify and use your valuesTake some time and think about your values. What matters to you in your life and in your career? What do you truly appreciate, cherish, and honor? What are the guiding principles that carry you through life? What do you expect and value most in yourself and others?Try to get to the bottom of things and get very clear on what your values are.Once you know what your values are you just need to ask three questions:What values do I want to live by this year?Am I already living in line with these values?What do I need to change so I can align my life and career more with these values?
If you want to read more about values, I share more information and an in-depth value exercise in this article.#2 Your feelings
Feelings are closely connected to values but for some, working with feelings is more tangible and easier than using “abstract” values.How to use your feelings to plan your year?All you have to do is to ask:How do I want to feel this year? Is it that you want to feel balanced, authentic, free, connected, or joyful? How do you want to feel?Once you know that then ask yourself:What needs to happen so that you feel this way?What do you need to do, to think, to experience to feel the way you want to feel?
When you know that then all that is left is to regularly check in with yourself to see if you are feeling this way - and if not, to ask yourself what you can do to change it!#3 Pick a word of the year
This is a very simple and very effective technique to set a direction for your year. It works so well for many because it encourages you to focus on the one thing that you want to set as an overarching theme for your year. Based on that theme, you can then deduct different actions that will help you work and live in line with that.How to identify your word of the year?All you have to do is to pick one word that will guide you through your year. Maybe it´s love that you want to guide you, maybe it´s clarity or stability, or maybe you want abundance and success to be the theme for the months to come.Whatever word you pick, remember that it only has to make sense to you and follow your understanding and definition of this word - and then let this word guide you.#4 Choose a habit
This approach is a fun one and very practical. And it is simple: choose a habit you want to cultivate this year.What you choose as your new habit is totally up to you and only needs to make sense to yourself. Therefore I encourage you to be honest with yourself and genuinely ask what habit would support you in living the life you want to live. What are you craving or what do you need to live and work purposefully? And what habit would support you most in that?Examples of habits you can pickThink of a habit as a new routine you try to establish. Here are some ideas of what supportive habits could look like: starting a morning routine, learning how to set boundaries, keeping a gratitude journal, going on mini-adventures, starting to work with the Pomodoro technique, and dedicating a certain time every day or week that is reserved for yourself.Remember to choose habits that support you and your growth and happiness - and not what you think you should do!#5 Choose an affirmation
Choosing an affirmation for a year is a very powerful method and instantly connects you to the state you desire. Declaring something clearly has the power to rewire your brain and change the way you think and see the world.But, affirmations only work if you choose the right one for you. If an affirmation does not resonate with you it will feel overly spiritual, abstract, and not realistic.This is why it might take some time to come up with an affirmation that feels authentic and inspiring for you.How to phrase your perfect affirmation?
You want to create an affirmation that captures how you want to feel or be.The crucial part here is that you express this in your own words. Don´t work with affirmations that circulate the web if they don´t feel authentic to you, but invest some time to create your own, custom-made affirmation.As a starting point, here are some ideas that you can use and make your own:I am open and ready to receive _______ in my life.
Add what you want to call into your life this year.I love who I am becoming this year.
This is a very simple, yet effective affirmation as it embraces your transition and encourages you to deepen your needs and how and who you want to be.With each breath, I take I deepen my trust in myself.
As self-trust is such a challenging topic for many, this is one of my favorite affirmations.This year is the year I am fully committing to my dreams and taking consistent action to get closer to my goals.
If you want to take it one step further, then get specific about what steps you take to get closer to your goals!Today I attract and embody ________.
Fill in the blank to open up to the good things you want to see and feel in your life! Be that love, connection, success, or something else you want.Whatever you choose as your direction for the year, the only thing that matters is that you choose. Pick one of the five ideas and see how it feels if you make this your direction for this year! ————
Hey, I am Laura a certified Designing Your Life Coach, recruitment professional, podcaster, multi-passionate career changer, and business owner, In my Designing Your (Work) Life 1:1 Coaching series, I will help you to gain clarity about what you want in life and your career, equip you with the tools you need to create a fulfilling (work) life and move through challenges along the way. Because this is not only about a job but about what life you want to live! 🌿
