I’ve always tried to set challenging goals because I overestimate my capacities. But as I failed, I learned a few things. Here’s what I know now.<ul><li>Never set goals during a high score.</li><li>Also, never set goals when you are in the dumpster. The negative bias makes you create goals that are too easy. </li><li>When you set a goal for something new, play carefully. Lower the expectations because you will experience many setbacks. </li><li>And don’t try to improve your last performance by more than 30%. </li></ul>Frustration will force you to give up when you set too challenging goals. So it is way better to play safe.

5 – Stay realistic.

Any voyage needs some preparation before you start. And this is no different. On the contrary, you will probably fail most of your goals if you don’t prepare properly. So, start with a session of reflections on the past year.How did your goals go in 2023? Let me know in the comments! I already wrote a post on how to <a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/p/how-to-rate-your-goals-at-the-end">rate your end-of-year goals </a>last year. So, I won’t dive into this too much. But take a few hours to evaluate your accomplishments and challenges from the previous year. And identify what worked well and what could be improved.

How to Set Up Better Life Goals for 2024

As we approach the end of 2023, you must set new goals for the new year. But that’s harder than you might have thought. But you can create perfect goals if you answer seven simple questions.<ul><li class="ql-align-center">What are your values?</li><li class="ql-align-center">What priority do you want to give to each of your dreams?</li><li class="ql-align-center">Did you create S.M.A.R.T. GOALS?</li><li class="ql-align-center">What is your action plan?</li><li class="ql-align-center">Are you realistic?</li><li class="ql-align-center">Does somebody know about your ambitions?</li><li class="ql-align-center">Do you track your progress?</li></ul>[<a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/p/7-simple-steps-to-set-life-goals">DOWNLOAD</a> THE FREE INFOGRAPHIC]

I guarantee you will write perfect goals for the next year if you follow these seven steps. However, I would like to add one last thing.Never stop experimenting. It’s impossible to think about all the variables that impact your life in one year. You can’t predict everything. But don’t give up if something happens and you think you cannot reach your goal anymore. Resize it and keep working. The same goes for goals that are too easy. You still have six months left if you reach your goal by the middle of the year. Will you just wait for the end of the year?

How to Adjust Your Goals

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Before you go

<ul><li>Use a journal, spreadsheet, goal-tracking app, or infographic to track your progress. </li><li>Celebrate small victories for every milestone you reach. </li><li>Challenge yourself to get to the longest streak possible. </li></ul>

7 – Track your progress. (2)

I’ve built this newsletter on the concept of tracking your progress. So, what would this guide be without this step?I don’t know how you feel about it. But for me, tracking progress is the quintessence of reaching goals. There’s a hidden power I cannot explain with words. But a growing streak can motivate you more than anything else. It gives you a rush of dopamine you cannot find elsewhere. And you cannot ignore it.

7 – Track your progress. (1)

The next time you want to quit, you will have reputation repercussions. So you will think twice about it.<ul><li>Share your goals with other people. </li><li>Plan regular check-ins with them to build social pressure. </li><li>Use your accountability partners for support and motivation. </li></ul>

6 – Establish accountability. (2)

As the curtain falls on 2023 and we prepare for a brand New Year, it’s time to consider your goals and what to expect from 2024.Maybe last year wasn’t the greatest. Perhaps you haven’t achieved much of what you expected. But this time, it will be different. You are the unsung hero of the story of your life. And you are only armed with a cup of ambition (and maybe a slice of holiday pie). You are facing the crossroads between “ This Year I Will ” and “ Where Did I Spend All This Time? ”. And the only thing you are missing is a fellow traveler and guide.

How to Set Up Perfect Life Goals

If you still can move after grandma’s third pie, it’s time to build an action plan for your goals.First, break down each of them into actionable smaller steps. You can use monthly or semestral milestones, for example. Then, give a deadline for each micro-goal. <a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/p/hope-vs-action-unleash-your-potential">Deadlines make you accountable </a>and help you replenish motivation as you approach them. <ul><li>Split your new year goals into 12 or 4 milestones. </li><li>Set a deadline for each milestone. </li><li>Set a check-in session for each milestone to review your goals and adjust your aim or strategy for the following period. </li></ul>

4 – Create an action plan.

When I started writing online, I kept everything to myself because I was afraid. It was my first time writing in English, and my sentences were terrible. (Please, don’t tell me they are still the same.) Since I wasn’t sharing my goals with anybody, I was justified in failing them. I could find whatever excuse I wanted, and it was easy to escape bad feelings . But you have to feel the social pressure if you want to reach your goals . So, share them with your family, friends, and mentors (here’s <a href="https://www.cosmopolitanmindset.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-mentor-to-help-improve-your-writing-skills/">how to find one </a>). Establish accountability.

6 – Establish accountability. (1)

Here’s a short recap if you have never heard about it.<ul><li>S – Your goals must be specific and focus on a limited field. </li><li>M – You need measurable goals to track your progress. </li><li>A – Achievable goals are challenging but not impossible to reach. </li><li>R – Then, your goals must be relevant. They have to focus on your purpose and values. </li><li>T – And they must be time-bounded. Otherwise, you will keep working on old goals forever and never achieve anything. </li></ul>When writing your definitive goals, keep this pattern in mind. And improve them with any missing parts.

3 – Write S.M.A.R.T. Goals (2)

You can write a potential list of goals for the next year and brainstorm everything you wish to accomplish. In this phase, there’s no need to think about a plan to achieve everything you want. But prioritize goals based on their importance and feasibility. And if you still need a method, the <a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/p/discover-your-life-priorities">25/5 advice from Warren Buffet </a>can help you understand which goal matters. <ul><li>Which things do you wish to accomplish next year? </li><li>Are they doable? </li><li>Do they matter, or are they just temporary greed? </li><li>Will they improve your current situation? </li></ul>

2 – Brainstorm and prioritize.

“ Oh no, here it comes! ” – you may think. And you would be right. S.M.A.R.T. goals again? Well, yes. But there’s a reason why everyone in the personal growth industry suggests writing them.Poorly written goals are hard to accomplish. You might already know that. And one good way to make perfect goals is to follow the pattern.

3 – Write S.M.A.R.T. Goals (1)

But fear not! Here I am. In this guide, we’ll navigate together the territories of your aspirations, values, and adaptability. And we will see how to write goals you can finally achieve. Welcome to my 7-step guide on how to set life goals for the New Year: 2024 edition. Let’s make this the year the one even your future self will high-five you for!

How to Set Up Goals in 7 Simple Steps

A hero is nothing without core values that define his actions. So you better find yours to achieve all your goals next year. (Finishing them all will indeed make you a hero.) Yet, long-term goals require more than self-control, motivation, and consistency only. They have to align with your core values. Otherwise, you won’t meet any of those requirements. <ul><li>Write a list of values and beliefs. </li><li>Think about what matters most in your life. </li><li>Imagine your life five years in the future. </li></ul>

1 – Define your values.

You are reading an excerpt from <a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com">The Challenge</a>, a newsletter where I discuss self-improvement, goal-setting, habits, time management, and health tips and tricks.Every week you will get:<ul><li>a challenge to pursue to improve your life</li><li>an infographic to track it.</li></ul><a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/subscribe">Subscribe now</a> to help me continue publishing this type of content.

The Challenge

Bid farewell to setbacks! Follow these 7 steps to set life goals for 2024. Transform your aspirations into actionable plans and reach lasting success.