In the comic strip Peanuts, there was a panel where Lucy decried, “This year was just like any old year! We’ve been handed another old year!”

Well, unlike Lucy, we have the power to turn next year into a truly new year. We can even make next year our best year ever. That’s why December is a great time to plan how to make that happen.

Here’s how: create three major goals that are actionable, measureable and time-bound. To spur your thinking, here are my goals as examples.

Financial: Set aside XX pesos from your salary every 15th of the month.

Collate your actual, average monthly expenses from January to November (you can add December later). Then deduct this from your monthly pay, and if you have something left over, plow that into a new bank account as “pay yourself first” or “forced savings.”

If we are not mindful in telling our money where to go, we would keep on spending and before we know it, we’ll be asking where did your money go. This way, you can build up more savings for the proverbial rainy day or to be plowed into investments.

Physical: Wake up 30 minutes earlier and do brisk walking, at least four times a week.

What is that one, simple thing that can multiply your vitality? Your plan has to be specific. “Eat healthier” doesn’t mean much, unless you rewrite it as “replace carbs with vegetables at dinner.” If your new year’s resolution is “get back in shape”, what does that even look like?

With my age, day job, and side hustle, I need energy more than money or time. Rather than complaining I lack energy, the smarter mindset is to increase my energy. For that, I have resolved to do that 30-minute walk, at least four times a week.

Notice I kept my self-promise and expectations under control. If I were to vow one hour every day without miss, I would likely set myself up for failure, frustration and finally, fall away. Baby steps aka small bets are okay.

Self-development:  Study at least one book a month about coaching, critical thinking or communication, then put them into practice for upskill.

I’m passionate about the Three C’s I listed above. I know that I am my own best asset; the better I am, the more value I can give to my clients. But I noticed that I tend to read a book, then put it on a shelf.

What I would do differently is to “devour” the book by extracting its key concepts, then try it out on people, and gain new skills. Truth to tell, I can even add those new learnings in my training materials and offer something fresh to my audience.

So there you are. Three goals to make my 2024 a fresh year, not a rehash of 2023.

Now it’s your turn. What are your goals?