Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Now that 2023 is here, what are your goals for the year? If you’re not sure where to start, or are scared to set goals you can’t keep, just remember that 2023 offers a clean slate. It’s a brand new year, and you can become a brand new you. Setting and accomplishing a goal releases dopamine, which can improve attention, memory, and motivation (Gino and Staats, 2016). Even achieving a small goal can result in a positive feedback loop that makes you more motivated to work harder going forward (Gino and Staats, 2016).
Set a few realistic and attainable resolutions. It will help you feel accomplished and motivate you to work harder. It’ll also get you closer to your goals!
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Here is a list of 50 goals. Pick and choose ones that work for you. Or, use them as a starting point to create your own goals.
- Drink more water
- Get more sleep
- Learn to cook
- Cook more meals at home
- Learn a new skill
- Learn to play an instrument
- Get more exercise
- Learn genealogy
- Declutter your room/home
- Meditate
- Take up journaling
- Read more
- Take time to visit a family member (zoom, call, in person)
- Volunteer somewhere
- Take a hike
- Plan a road trip
- Take care of your skin
- Learn more about a historical event
- Visit a local museum
- Create time without screens
- Learn more about you
- Write thank you notes and mail them
- Start a gratitude journal
- Get a makeover
- Eat more fruits/veggies
- Meal prep
- Make a new friend
- Visit a senior center
- Zone into your creative side
- Think before speaking
- Get more organized
- Listen to podcasts
- Update your resume
- Do something you’ve put off
- Take time for yourself
- Eat less sugar
- Do random acts of kindness
- Recycle
- Start saving more money
- Go to a restaurant you’ve never been
- Remove toxic people from your life
- Write down your goals
- Complain less
- Wake up earlier
- Go to bed earlier
- Be on time
- Watch less tv
- Learn a new language
- Get outside more
- Make an emergency kit
Gino F and Staats B. (2016 March 22). Your Desire to Get Things Done Can Undermine Your Effectiveness. https://hbr.org/2016/03/your-desire-to-get-things-done-can-undermine-your-effectiveness#:~:text=Your%20brain%20releases%20dopamine%20when,to%20work%20harder%20going%20forward
Top image by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash