If you plan your days and weeks, for efficiency, time management or less stress, why wouldn’t you plan your year, for success?

1. Reflect on the year past

Determine which decisions brought you closer to your goals and which ones didn’t. Which habits do you want to kick and which do you want to keep working on?

2. Set SMART goals

Where would you like to be at the end of 2025, health-wise, career-wise, financially, mentally, emotionally, socially? Instead of those New Year’s resolutions that are forgotten by March, set goals that are:

  • S – Specific (What do you aim to achieve and how do you want to do it?)
  • M – Measurable (What lets you know you’ve achieved your goal?)
  • A – Achievable (Is it realistic and reasonable?)
  • R – Relevant (Why is it important?)
  • T – Time-bound (What is the deadline?)

Set your goals according to a quarterly schedule, so you don’t get overwhelmed with everything at once. And schedule times to review your goals every couple of months, so you can assess your progress. To stay accountable, team up with a friend who has similar goals, so you can work together, or compete for a prize.

3. Schedule downtime ahead of time

This will ensure you maintain motivation and productivity throughout the year. At the start of your year, select long weekends or periods when you’ll go away or take time off. By booking ahead, you’ll get some good deals, and it’ll give you something to look forward to.

4. Check your habits

Do you eat well, sleep well, exercise enough and practice good stress management? If there’s some adjustment to do, get to it and make 2025 your best year yet.