As the end of the year draws to a close, I find myself daydreaming about what I want for 2018. I believe December is the perfect time to reflect on the year that was and create some thoughts around what you want to see for the year to come. It may have not been a great year for some but you have the power to choose your intentions for the next year.

Making new year’s resolutions haven’t ever really worked for me, but using the following guide has helped me achieve some life long goals. I’ve been following this plan for the past 5 years, and I can say that at the end of the year, it’s an easy and effective way to track your progress.

GOAL SETTING GUIDE

I break down my goals into the following seven categories and jot down things I want to improve on, do more of or achieve. I’ve added a few examples from last year’s list for you to see:

HEALTH

• > Have a daily home yoga practice
• > Cook more at home with organic produce

BUSINESS

• > Continue to create a location independent business
• > Run 3 x yoga retreats in Europe

FINANCE

• > Be financially independent to do what I want/when I want
• > Value my time and professional advice

LEARNING

• > Complete an advanced Yoga Teacher Training
• > Do a videography course

HAPPINESS

• > Hang out with friends that encourage you and your crazy dreams
• > Learn to say no to things I don’t want to do

TRAVEL

• > Sailing around the Aeolian Islands
• > Visit Africa

LOVE

• > Have a date night once a week
• > Make the time I spend with my partner special, exciting and fresh

The items you write down don’t have to be completely measurable goals like “quit my job” or “do a yoga teacher training,” it could just be setting intentions. But if you DO want to quit your job, then definitely write that down! I have this list in my iPhone and refer back to it every month (or so) and tick off or change things as the year unfolds. As the year progresses, so do your goals – and that’s completely ok if they change throughout the year.

Honestly, I only ticked off about 70% of the things I wrote down. I didn’t travel to half of the places on my travel wishlist, do a videography course or say no to everything I didn’t want to do. But I did get to teach yoga on retreat in Crete and Portugal, travelled to 15+ countries and I launched Silou in February this year (which has taken most of my time). I’m not saying that you will/won’t achieve everything you write down, but setting these intentions for every area of your life can help to aim grow, learn and change throughout the year.

Do you think this type of planning will help you achieve some goals for next year? Would you add any more categories? Give it a go and let me know how it goes.

X Phoebe