20 Questions for Setting New Year’s Resolutions

Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on December 20, 2007

Posted in

Calendar

The end of the year is traditionally a time to reflect on the past twelve months and set resolutions for the year to come. We start on January 1st with high aspirations and motivation to make change in our life, but our resolve doesn’t survive much beyond the end of January.

While a desire for self-improvement might get us started, it’s rarely enough to keep us going all year. Having a plan can make a huge difference in the accomplishment of goals or resolutions. The following 20 questions can help you map out a plan that will have a stronger chance of success for the year.

Take a few minutes to reflect on the previous year and ask:

  1. What went well?
  2. What didn’t work out as I had hoped?
  3. What unexpected joys did I discover?
  4. What unexpected obstacles came up?
  5. How did I deal with the obstacles?
  6. Could I have done anything differently?
  7. Are there unrealistic expectations I need to let go?

Looking ahead to 2008:

  1. What are my goals for the coming year?
  2. What steps must I take to get each goal started?
  3. What are my dreams for the coming year?
  4. What steps can I take to change each dream into a goal?
  5. What resolutions will I make for the coming year?
  6. What steps must I take to stick to my resolutions?

Once goals and resolutions have been set, ask these questions:

  1. How will I structure the year to support my goals?
  2. How do the elements of my lifestyle support reaching my goals?
  3. How can I change the non-supportive elements?
  4. Where do I need to be more disciplined?
  5. Where do I need to relax?
  6. How am I measuring progress towards my goals?
  7. How will I celebrate milestones and accomplishing my goals?
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Related Posts:

  • 10 New Year’s Resolutions You Are Guaranteed to Keep
  • 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Self Improvement
  • How to Make New Year’s Resolutions that Stick

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    Comments

    Ian,

    These questions are an excellent way to evaluate and adjust progress to make sure one stays on course. Thanks for sharing them!

    Comment by Deb on January 18, 2008 @ 9:58 am

    Very good questions. I found I would have a bit of trouble with many of them. So yes, I have work to do. I am working with developing my “new” beliefs.

    Comment by inspiration audio on January 18, 2008 @ 7:58 pm

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    1. » 20 Questions for Setting New Year’s Resolutions New Years Resolutions: What’s your new years resolution?
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    3. New Years Resolution Articles 31 Dec 2007 | Strategist.org.uk
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