58 Resolutions For Anytime in the Year

  •  Updated:
  • Jul 4, 2022

“We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” — Edith Lovejoy Pierce

In just a few weeks’ time, 2018 will be here. How do you feel about the new year? What kind of experiences do you want to create? What memories do you want to build? What impact do you want to create for yourself and others?

With every new year, I always ensure that it will surpass all past years to be the best year ever. One reason is because I set goals — goals to improve the quality and fulfillment of my life. I’m a huge fan of goal setting. The best way to determine your future is to set goals AND act on them. As Zig Ziglar once said, “You need a plan to build a house. To build a life, it is even more important to have a plan or goal.”

Think about what you want for 2018 and set them as goals. Here is a list to kickstart your thinking process. Of course, goal setting isn’t restricted to the start of the year — you can do that anytime. There’s never a ‘best’ time to set goals — the best time is now.

  1. Stop procrastinating
  2. Spend more time with your family
  3. Widen your social circle. Meet new people!
  4. Become more organized
  5. Exercise more and keep fit
  6. Lose weight
  7. Eat healthily
  8. Wake up early
  9. Be on time
  10. Be more grateful
  11. Do volunteer work
  12. Do more kind deeds
  13. Further your education
  14. Learn a new language
  15. Cultivate one new skill that will help you soar at work
  16. Be emotionally generous
  17. Quit soda
  18. Reconnect with old friends
  19. Make at least 5 new like-minded friends and build strong relationships with them
  20. Take your family out on a vacation
  21. Revamp your room into your inspirational haven
  22. Run a marathon
  23. Don’t badmouth others
  24. Stop complaining
  25. Be more positive
  26. Be your real self
  27. Read more books
  28. Read something new each day
  29. Visit the holiday destination of your dreams
  30. Deliver your best performance at work
  31. Double your business income (for business owners)
  32. Switch to a better job
  33. Or better still, pursue a career of your passion
  34. Earn a million dollars
  35. Find your soulmate
  36. Move out and get your own apartment
  37. Start traveling
  38. Get out of debt (if you are in debt)
  39. Save more money
  40. Help others achieve their dreams
  41. Remove clutter
  42. Take up a class of your interest (dancing, singing, rollerblading, ice skating, swimming, photography, web design, coding, guitar, yoga, Pilates, etc.)
  43. Drink more water
  44. Reduce your alcohol intake or quit drinking
  45. Quit smoking (for smokers)
  46. Learn to see the positive side to everything
  47. Turn every challenge into an opportunity
  48. Let go of past baggage
  49. Meditate daily
  50. Go on a retreat
  51. Write a book
  52. Visit a new place you have never been to
  53. Stop blaming yourself when bad things happen
  54. Love yourself more
  55. Start your life handbook
  56. Limit your exposure to mass media. Stop watching television or reading newspapers. Remove negative stimuli from your environment.
  57. Take time out to rest every week
  58. Live every moment to the fullest! :)

Being successful in your resolutions requires you to cultivate good habits. Read: 21 Days to Cultivate Life Transforming Habits

Get the manifesto version of this article: The Resolution Manifesto

11 comments
  1. Armen Shirvanian 15 years ago

    Hey Celes.

    I thought I’d check for the option to comment, so this was a pleasant surprise.

    You have covered many great ways to ring the new year in. I like how you connected much of your past article in through here, so a sizable percentage of these resolutions have your material as how-to’s for what to do to acquire or maintain them.

    That one about reading 2 books a month looks pretty appealing. That one in #55 about being able to laugh at self is one I think I have gotten down. #7 about regular exercise is one I think I have done for a very long time, so that is good.

    I see myself working on a few of these.

    I will go ahead and add one here:

    Take a risk that scares you, and do it in a strong or even cocky way, and once it works out, which it probably will, continue to the next one.

    I guess that could be called a continuous resolution to make.

    To personal excellence~

  2. Gordie 15 years ago

    Hi Celestine,
    Lately, I’ve started studying a personal development book for one hour five days a week. Not just reading, but taking notes in an exercise book. It’s generated so many ideas for blog posts as well as given me great ways to improve my life.

    I will continue this is 2010. I recommend you try something similar if you don’t already.

    Merry Christmas!

  3. Celes
    CelesAuthor 15 years ago

    @Armen: I love your suggestion! It reminds me of your post on 100 ways to show boldness (http://www.timelessinformation.com/100-ways-to-show-boldness/). That’s definitely something I’ll work into my personal resolutions. I found that every time I do something against what I fear, I would immediately feel so liberated after that! Again attesting that fears are really just in our mind.

    @Gordie: I love your suggestion! Thanks so much. I haven’t been reading much of late and you reminded me to repick up the habit. I’ll surely get back into the gear now :) Continuous inflow of knowledge is needed for us to keep growing.

  4. Jared Yellin 15 years ago

    Great post and I like the way you gave people many different ideas to choose from in order to assist them through the process of clarifying exactly what they are looking to accomplish.

  5. marilouyee 15 years ago

    hi celes,my new years resolution in year 2010
    1 love my enemies
    2 bless those who curse me
    3 Do good to those who hate me
    4pray for those who presecute me
    5Walk according to his commandments
    6Preach the gospel

  6. Steven Ponec 15 years ago

    Lots and lots of suggestions! Thanks :)

  7. Jonathan Browne 15 years ago

    While I don’t think a lot of these are totally necessary, I CERTAINLY agree with “Be your real self”

    This is the most important thing of all.

    Be your real self. No seriously, be your real self.

    I’m not kidding.

  8. Rolf 14 years ago

    Great list and thanks for sharing Celest.

    I found your advice with thinking about the past year also very important. Think about your most important “magic moment”. Maybe something you always wanted or something you worked for a long time. Reminding yourself of that feeling you experienced when it happened is so powerful in my eyes.

    In general being grateful for what you have in your life and REALLY being AWARE of these things is a major part of inner balance and joy. Thats also why I love “gratitude-lists”.

    All the very best
    Rolf

  9. Ara 14 years ago

    I love your list. Most of it were in my plans. I hope I can achieve it all. Happy New Year to all. =) I hope you also added the “try to be more eco-friendly” or “try to save our mother Earth”. How amazing life can be if we can maintain our world healthy and green. ;)

  10. Jackie Paulson 14 years ago

    Thanks for this list as I will try to come up with one of my own too. :) Happy New 2011 may it be the best ever! You deserve it Celes! :heart:

  11. Bob Brody 14 years ago

    I like these resolutions a lot. Here’s another suggestion. Write “letters” to your kids — journals about family history. Invest in your past.

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Hi! I’m Celes. Thanks for reading. Personal Excellence is where I write about how to live our best life as we tackle life’s challenges. About Me »

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