“And so, another adventure begins.”

With the new year comes another set of goals. Creating a long-term game plan is easy, though fulfilling them is a different story. 

The Berkeley Well-being Institute defines life goals as the desired states that people seek to obtain, maintain or avoid (Nair, 2003). This brings us to the Goal Setting Theory, developed by Edwin Locke in 1968, said to be based on the idea that setting specific and measurable goals is more effective than setting unclear goals.

Before listing these goals you have to ask yourself — is this really what you want in life? Or is it just what everybody is doing? 

Locke’s goal-setting theory consists of five main principles:

Clarity. Your goals must be clear and specific. Without clarity, you may lose your motivation.

Challenge. Vague aspirations equal unmet goals.

Commitment. When you’re committed to your goals, you work on them despite feeling out of it.

Feedback. Performance is improved when feedback, good or bad, is present.

Task complexity. Break your goals into smaller, more manageable steps to achieve significant progress. 

Here are some ideas to help you move forward this 2024:

•Read more books.

•Volunteer for an animal shelter.

•Drink more water.

•Learn how to say no.

•Sleep better.

•Be more mindful of the environment.

•Learn a new language.

•Try digital detox.

•Spend more time with family.

•Prioritize your mental health.

•Go somewhere new.

Be reminded that you don’t have to rush to accomplish all these, there’s no deadline in setting your life goals.