50 interesting goals that will actually change your life this year.

Embarking on a journey towards personal growth doesn’t always require monumental leaps; sometimes, it’s the small, consistent steps that pave the way for transformative change. Short-term goals act as stepping stones, shaping our daily routines and nurturing our growth.

As I was making my own vision board for the new year, I thought about various goals that I can include for the next year.

I have 2-3 long term specific goals every year. But I also include few small goals which can be accomplished in shorter duration. Most of them are about building habits that will last longer. I break such habits into small goals so it becomes easier to achieve them.

I am sharing a few goal ideas with you. You can include some of them in for making your new year a successful one too. It is always fun to share ideas with others and learn from their journey.

Here are a few goal ideas that you may like are:

Reading book

Whether you like to read fiction or non-fiction, reading books is a wonderful goal to include in your list. Books are treasure house of knowledge.

You learn about other’s experiences through books related to their journey of life. You can learn skills or get lost in a deep poetry. Books transport you to a different world of imagination. They can evoke emotions and motivate too.

You may set target for number of books to be read every year. Better idea is to make a list of books you would like to read this year and read 10-20 pages each day. You can look for recommendation in Goodreads or facebook groups or book clubs.

Listening to podcast

Some people do not like to read books. They enjoy watching podcasts or listening to audio books.

Most of the fiction and non-fiction books are now available on YouTube or Spotify or Audible or other podcast channels. Google also has its own library for podcast channels.

Same like book reading, decide the titles of podcasts that you intend to listen or watch this year. Set aside time every day or every week for such podcasts or videos.

Working out in Gym or at home

Exercise keeps you fit and healthy. It not only boosts physical health but also promotes mental well being.

Plan your workout routine for the day. Do you want to workout every day or for certain days in a week? What kind of workout do you prefer – Walking, running, dancing, yoga or strength training? Do you like to workout in the morning or in the evening?

It is not necessary to follow someone else’s routine when it comes to workout. Do what you love to do? Start small – maybe 20 minutes every day.

There are a number of apps and videos that guide how to workout or even help you track your workout.

Eat a nutritious breakfast / meal every day

In the hustle-bustle of routine, mornings are always busy. We spend a long time in travel to work so it becomes increasingly difficult to eat nutritious breakfast every day.

Breakfast sets the mood for the day. Having a good breakfast will make you feel energized and provide you energy to cope with busy routine without frustration.

Plan healthy breakfast for the week. Small preps like making dosa/idli batter on weekend shall help you fix a quick breakfast. On days, when you could not cook a breakfast, you can opt for whole fruit or yoghurt with fresh fruits or smoothie.

My secret – on my busiest days, I set the eggs for boiling as I go for bath. I carry boiled eggs, dry fruits and a fresh fruit to work. (such a quick fix and healthy too!)

Start a self-care routine

Self-care can mean different to different people. It could mean candles, bubble bath, bath salts to someone while it would mean idle me time for someone else. It is all about how you would like to unwind after a stressful day.

You decide what you consider is self-care for your wellbeing. Figure out whether you would want to do daily, weekly or monthly. Schedule time in your calendar accordingly. If necessary, make appointments or pre-bookings.

Set a fixed morning routine

Morning routines sets the tone for the day. I would advise to set morning routine with activities that bring positive energy.

Pray, meditate, Write gratitude journal, exercise or indulge in activities that make you feel positively charged and motivated. Decide how your morning routine looks like practically. Plan activities accordingly. If you do not get much time, atleast set aside 10 min in any one activity that will help you feel grounded and mindful.

Set a fixed evening routine

Evening routine is to slowly shut yourself from the busy outside world and slowly sneak in your inside calm.

Set time to switch away from gadgets and blue light, read a book, spend time with family, have a warm bath, pray, meditate, dim lights in the room and light candles with essential oils, do activities that make you feel calm and relaxed.

This makes your body and mind ease into sleep effortlessly. Good sleep will rejuvenate you completely.

Set a skincare routine

Skincare is an essential part of the routine. If you have neglected skin care for a long but intend to build it in next year, you may add this in your goal.

Check out YouTube videos or seek help from experts on type of products suitable for your skin. Buy few basic products (preferably in small trial packs). Try one product at a time. Place all products in one place so that it is handy when you intend to use.

Walking a mile every day

Walking daily in nature not only refreshes the mind but also improves cardio vascular health. The extra calories you burn also aids in weight loss. It strengthens the bones and muscles and improves muscle endurance.

So grab your walking shoes and set fixed time for walking couple of times a week.

Spending weekend with family and friends

Nothing can beat the memories you create while spending time with family and friends. Every moment spent joyfully with your loved ones strengthens the bond.

A shared activity with your partner shall not only improve your relationship but also enhance your intimacy. So plan shared activities consciously. Trekking together, exploring new places, taking dancing lessons, pottery or cooking classes are some simple activities which you can schedule in your calendar.

Spending an hour daily with your children or spouse

This is almost for same reasons as above but here I mean to catch up with every day activities. Be more mindful of what your family members are going through in their lives – their struggles, their emotions, their thoughts.

I know seems trivial but when you actually start spending fixed one hour with an intent, you will realise there is much better bonding than merely living under one roof.

Making and following a budget for your home

This is an interesting one and I would recommend to be “must have” in your small goals list. You may set budget for new house or travel or home decoration or buying new car etc.

The journey of setting goal for budget and achieving that target will give you more joy than possessing that asset or making that travel. Enjoy that journey.

Weekly or daily Meal planning

If healthy living is your main goal, meal planning has to be a related small goal. Plan a meal, buy ingredients accordingly and cook as per plan.

This ensures that you have balanced diet, less wastage of food, spend judiciously and less struggle with the perpetual question of “what to cook/eat today?”

Practice Gratitude

Not enough can be stressed on this and next point. Gratitude magically releases stress and anxiety from your life.

Start small. Write 10 things you are grateful for every day. It may be same or new things each day. Gratitude makes you mindful of your blessings and privileges which we often overlook in our life while we chase one goal after another.

Start meditating

Meditation aids to manage stress and increase self-awareness. It manages anxiety and improves mental health.

Meditation may be done in different ways. There is no one rule fits all. Try all forms of meditation and choose the one which suits you the best. After struggling for more than a year, I settled for meditation by chanting.

Learn to play an instrument

Playing an instrument increases cognitive ability and enhances co-ordination. It is one of best ways to fight degeneration of brain cells. YouTube or apps can be used to learn playing a musical instrument.

Learn a language

This has similar advantages of learning to play an instrument. It also provides an insight in different cultures especially if you are interested in travelling to new places or meeting new people.

Learn a soft/hard skill

You can boost your career by learning soft skills like public speaking or negotiation. Adding new skills can also get you that most coveted promotion. Some websites like Coursera, Udemy host bunch of free courses from International universities.

8 important communication skills for success in career

How to improve public speaking – 6 ways to speak with confidence?

Become minimalist or start practicing minimalism

Minimalism frees you from clutter, makes space for meaningful things and experiences, saves money and is a big leap towards sustainable living.

You may make capsule wardrobe, audit things that you posses and decide what stays or goes away from your life. This will make your life more meaningful and intentional.

Become organized

Organized home and/or office will take away lot of stress from your life. So check how you can organize things that you own, Buy organizers, declutter and rearrange your belongings.

Declutter your home/office

This is probably first step that you need to take when you decide to organize your space. Decide what you want to discard, donate or keep.

15 minutes of decluttering shall make you clutter free

Start a side hustle

If you are looking for second income or gradually start your own business, then decide on a side hustle you wish to undertake. Dedicate a deadline to learn and start your side hustle.

How to achieve career goals with time bound action plan?

Start journaling your travels or life events or emotions.

You may write in journal or create short videos

Start cooking at home instead of ordering.

Save money every month from your salary.

Travel to new places or Plan a travel if you cannot afford to travel now.

Making your own travel journal of places you have visited or intend to visit will bring you joy and satisfaction

Cut out on alcohol / smoking or caffeine

Trek or hike on weekends or holiday

Drink water regularly

Plan growth in your career and take action on the plan.

Sketch your small milestones in form of learning skills and networking.

Start early or practice punctuality,

Be punctual, enhance your productivity and time management. Trust me this builds trust and positions you as a reliable colleague / subordinate.

Build new good habits

Learn about various types of investments and taxes

Build your investment portfolio. Start with small investments as you learn along the way.

Make new friends who share same interests

Play games or sports with your friends

Join the spiritual community

Learn and practice Spiritual practices such as prayers, meditation which strengthen your faith

Volunteer at old age homes, sport clubs or charitable organizations

Buy a new car

Build your network on the social media platform and leverage this network for your financial growth

Practice Deep breathing

Make a vision board, set affirmations and practice them daily

Clear the existing loans or credit card debts by systematic planning

Start your own business

Create multiple passive income streams

Make a Retirement plan, start with small, consistent savings.

Start a new hobby or renew your forgotten hobby

Have digital break/ detox for certain hours or days.

You will be surprised with number of hours that you will reclaim from your own life.

Build Cluster wardrobe or revamp your wardrobe to match the new “YOU”

Try new cuisine or new eateries (either cooking or eating)

I know some of the goals will look very trivial. The whole idea of building goals is to live life fully (not only with monetary success but with much more meaning and joy in your life).

Small changes in life matter. They add up to bring us happiness and satisfaction. Life is not one big chunk but is build with many good/bad moments.

Whenever we speak of goals, we think of career relationships or investments. All big decisions bring big change in our lives.

No doubt, these big goals are important to push forward towards successful life. But it is these small things that add joy and make every day worth living. These small pleasures of life give us positive energy to keep pushing harder on our big goals.

Stay in touch

Let me know in the comments below, what would you like to improve in your self.

You can also learn about ways more about self-improvement on my Pinterest account, Instagram and facebook. Join my facebook group to mingle with like-minded people who are interested in personal growth and self-improvement.

We are in this together!!!