5 Key goals to include in your 2023 resolutions

When the year is still exuding an air of freshness it’s best to hit the iron while it’s still hot. Writing down resolutions helps one to have a clear picture of how you want your year to unfold. It’s akin to a blank template of canva where you have to design to fit your desire.

Year in, year out, a lot of people around the world reset, refocus and re-strategize once a new year knocks. As it beckons, it’s a good practice that symbolises a new beginning.

It’s however ironic how most people have great goals at the beginning of a year and by the time they are in the fourth month, they go back to old habits that darken their vision and goals.

Self-discipline, presumably, should be a constant resolution that governs the rest of the resolutions on the list. Everytime you find yourself jumping on a wrong lane, self discipline will be ready to punch you back to your right senses.

There are 5 key goals that you should include in your new year to ensure that your year unfolds in a beast mode.

1. Financial literacy

Knowing how to manage your finances is a skill that will save you from a lot. It’s paramount to be accountable for every spent coin, securing savings and generally knowing which investments to put your money in.

There are copious ways on how you can spend your money. But it calls for financial literacy to spend the money responsibly.

Perchance, last year you touched so much money but you were on a drinking spree every weekend, impulse shopping or just can’t figure out where all that money went. It’s a common phenomenon for most of us.

You may consider having a framework on how you split your earnings. Different people have different preferences, depending on which one works best for them:

The basic rule of thumb is to divide your monthly after-tax income into three spending categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings or paying off debt. This enables you to track your finances effectively.

Another similar rule is the 70/20/10 Budget Rule. Following the 70/20/10 rule of budgeting, you separate your take-home pay into three buckets based on a specific percentage. Seventy percent of your income will go to monthly bills and everyday spending, 20% goes to saving and investing and 10% goes to debt repayment or donation.

You may use either, depending on your financial end goal.

2. Networking

The cliché phrase “your network is your net worth” never gets old. At some point in life you’ll realise all the opportunities, achievements and luck were all because of the people in your circle.

This year, consider adding high value people in your circle. This calls you to up your networking skills, how to talk to new people and basically how to present yourself as an own brand.

In this digital era, presenting yourself as your own brand is very easy, quick minus slow. Just by having relevant posts on social media will tell a lot about you as a person. Have a decent profile photo, post relevant content and clutter feeds that are not adding value to you.

It’s even easier to network through social media. Avenues such as LinkedIn have made it easier to reach people who can be of value.

You may also consider networking physically through events, conferences and social gatherings. And while at it, know what you’re bringing to the table; don’t let it be one-sided.

3. Travelling

The best way to unwind after a busy week of work, school or business is by visiting a new place and just savouring the ambiance.

There are lots of places to visit. A lot. You may consider having a bucket list of places you’d love to visit at least every month, if not every week.

Travelling doesn’t necessarily mean going to high-end places. You may even go for a stroll at a park you haven’t visited before, go for hikes, tour a new city etc.

If you are not aware of the places to tour, you may check out the travel and tour companies in your area and jump on their next trip.

4. Learn a new skill

One thing about Education is that it’s a lifetime process. And don’t confuse education and academics.

Learning never stops – we learn something new every day, sometimes unknowingly. However, intentionally feeding your skillset with new know-how is something to consider this new year.

It’s easy to learn any skill online. If there’s a generation that is very lucky, it must be this generation living in the wake of digital trends. If for instance you want to learn graphics design, you may easily scroll through google, youtube or jump on Udemy for a free online course.

There are lots of graduates from the “University of Youtube” who never stepped in a physical classroom. People who learnt new skills just by watching YouTube videos, or by doing a simple google search.

First off, target a particular skill e.g coding. Then go to YouTube and forage relevant videos related to coding. Go to google and do further research. Take online courses – you can find them on various platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, Edx, Skillshare etc.

And guess what, this won’t even cost you a dime.

5. Fitness and health

Everyone wants to be in good shape and in good health. Hitting the gym, perhaps, should be a necessity this new year.

Be cautious of what you eat. Eating healthy goes a long way with staying fit and healthy. Consider having a healthy diet throughout the day, dehydrate efficiently, exercise regularly and quit some habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol.

Staying in a fit and healthy body boosts your confidence and makes you switch to that beast mode to follow your dreams.

Bonus goal: 6. Cultivate relationships

Keep in touch with family and friends regularly. Check up on them and spread love. These are the people that add spice to life aside from the hustle and bustle of career, dreams and goals.

And don’t forget to fall in love with the right person, well, if you haven’t yet. Have a prosperous year!