Making New Year’s Resolutions: A Guide to Transforming Your Year
By Dickson Tumuramye
Reflect
on the Past Year
Before planning for the
new year, take a moment to review the previous year. It doesn't matter whether
you had a plan or not. But it's good to know where you have come from and where
you would want to be in the New Year. Assess your achievements by identifying
the goals you accomplished and consider what helped you succeed. Also, evaluate
the shortcomings, reflect on areas where you fell short, explore the reasons
why, and create room for improvement. This creates realistic and actionable
resolutions also for the future.
Write
Down Your Goals
Creating a clear list of
goals is essential for staying focused and not forgetting. This may include a
mix of unfinished tasks; roll over incomplete goals from last year if they are
still relevant, add fresh goals to reflect your evolving priorities. Documenting
your resolutions increases accountability and provides a reference point
throughout the year.
Expand
Your Resource Base
While making your new
resolutions, pay attention to the resource opportunities around you. You may
need to include resources that may not need money but very vital in your new
plans. Some of the resources can be your social capital, family members,
savings, or investments that you may consider if you are thinking about
expansion in certain areas.
Make
Personal Resolutions
For personal growth, a
good resolution should prioritize self-improvement. Think about areas where you
can grow, such as health and wellness like committing to regular exercise, a
balanced diet, and sufficient rest; mental health and practicing mindfulness,
meditation, or seeking therapy if needed; and skills development like learning
a new language, picking up a hobby or take a course that interests you.
Have
Family Goals
Include family-focused
resolutions that enhance relationships and promote unity. Shared activities
should be planned regularly since some may need collective effort for resources.
Have collective goals and set shared objectives, such as saving for a vacation
or home improvement projects, starting a business, etc. Some of these goals and
objectives could come from your family strategic plan. In all these, seek family
members’ ideas, agree on what is feasible or not, and assign responsibilities.
Ensure every member has a role in achieving the family’s resolutions to
encourage ownership and accountability.
Financial
Planning
Improving your financial
health is a common resolution. Consider revising your saving goals, like setting
a target for increasing savings by the end of the year. Create a realistic
budget to manage expenses and avoid unnecessary spending. Stick to what is in
your plans and budgets. Explore investment opportunities to grow your wealth. Have
a debt management plan to reduce debts systematically.
Career
Advancement
Think about ways to
enhance your professional life. For further education, you can enroll in a
degree program or professional certification course. Also, network and expand
your connections in your industry. Seek promotions and set goals for
performance improvement or leadership roles.
Community
Engagement
Resolve to give back to
society in meaningful ways. Commit time to community service and give back to
society. Engage in mentorship and share your knowledge and skills with others
who can benefit. You can also make donations and allocate part of your income
to support charitable organizations or needy individuals.
Plan
for New Skills
Investing in yourself or your family is one of the best resolutions you can make like taking short-term courses.
If for example you were out of school in the last 10 years or more and there is
nothing else you have explored, think about something new you can do in a
short time. These can include taking workshops or online classes in areas like
technology, marketing, entrepreneurship or any area of interest that may
not even need money. You can enroll your children who are on a long school
holiday. Learn practical skills like baking, carpentry, or gardening, and engage in
art, music, or writing to unleash your creativity and diversify your abilities
and hands-on skills. Every new skill you acquire adds value to your life and
opens doors to unexpected opportunities.
Break
Goals into Smaller Steps
Big goals can be
overwhelming. Divide them into smaller, actionable steps. For example, if your
resolution is to save Ugx 5,000,000 annually, break it into monthly savings of
about Ugx 420,0000=. You can also look at your monthly income and decide to
save smaller amounts. Smaller steps make large goals more manageable and keep
you motivated to achieve your bigger dream. You can also join a savings group
where you save little but the investment returns are high.
Stay
Flexible
Life is unpredictable,
and circumstances may change. Be willing to adjust your resolutions if needed.
Flexibility ensures you remain focused without feeling overwhelmed or defeated.
Look at works and feasible and change accordingly.
Monitor
Your Progress
Don’t set goals that you
are not ready to go back and evaluate the progress. Set aside time to review
your progress regularly either weekly, monthly or quarterly. Assess what’s
working and what needs adjustment where necessary. Celebrate every milestone
including small wins. Reward yourself for what is achieved to maintain self or
family motivation. Share your goals with a trusted friend or family member who
can encourage and support you.
Conclusion
New Year’s resolutions
are not just about making a list but about creating a roadmap for personal and
collective growth. Whether it’s improving yourself, or strengthening family
ties, resolutions are an opportunity to reinvent your life with purpose and intention.
This year, take the time to set meaningful, realistic goals and embrace the
journey of change. Your future self will thank you.
The
writer is the executive director of Hope Regeneration Africa, parenting coach,
marriage counselor and founder of the Men of Purpose mentorship program.
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Dickson Tumuramye is also a passionate speaker on:
#Positive parenting
#Marriage and family
#Child counseling
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