If you’ve clicked your way here, like me and most others, you probably have a goal already on your mind. January rolls around and we’re left reassessing our life choices. The first of January is a great day to get the ‘Sunday Scaries’. To combat this, mind mapping out your goals for the rest of the year will help you beat them, hopefully.

Getting Clear on Your Goals

Figuring out what goals to focus is a start. Think about different areas of your life and score them, without judgement. Then those you scored low in think about which two or three you’d like to focus on, the books mentioned below helped me take actionable steps.

Book for Goal Setting and Achieving Goals:

Three amazing book recommendations to help you gear up for the year ahead and be ready to transform your life: The Twelve Week Year by Brian P. Moran and M. Lennington, The 6 Habits of Growth by Brendon Burchard, and Atomic Habits by James Clear.

For the ambitious, The Twelve Week Year is by far an ambitious way of life. You set goals align yourself with your true vision and then actualise by setting daily and weekly goals. No more sitting around waiting for tomorrow or next week to roll around, your year is cut into four, three month mini-years. If you had three months to achieve your goal what would you start immediately doing?

For the lost, The 6 Habits of Growth has helped transform my mind. While unsure of which areas of my life need direction and improvement, I began rereading this book. I’m currently on my third reread and I feel as though I absorb more and more new facts each time. To save you some time, the 6 areas are Motivation, Focus, Confidence, Energy, Purpose, and Leadership. In each chapter he talks about key areas and tips in each section. My favorite section, on Focus, talks about the 8 areas of focus: Mental Health, Physical Health, Family, Friends, Finances, Mission, Spirit, Learning and Growth. My three areas of growth are Mental Health, Physical Health, and Mission. He also mentions focusing on the now rather than focusing on the past. Something I’m actively adding is the MEDS Rx, which you will need to read if you want to learn more!

Lastly, if you just want to get started or are struggling time and time again, read Atomic Habits, this book will help you rearrange your mind, life, and goals to best fit your needs and how best to achieve them. I love this book for its rich story telling and relatable way of thinking. I appreciate the authenticity and realism of James Clear’s life and environment.

Wherever you are on your journey, remember to practice gratitude for the past you, your environment, and the you working hard right now!

Hope you achieve your goals, Saveina.