A simple system for setting and actually achieving annual goals

Executive overview

Most people set goals in January and abandon them by February. This 8-minute walkthrough covers a lightweight annual planning system built around three categories, continuous capture throughout the year, and physical visibility.

The system works backwards: reflect on the past year, dream without constraints, then organise into a document you print and see every day.

Goals only work when they're measurable, visible, and slightly uncomfortable.

The three goal categories

• Work, workout, and personal — keeps goals balanced across life areas
• Avoid overlap; each category should surface distinct priorities

How to build your goal list

• Keep an open note (Evernote, paper, anything) throughout the year for next year's ideas
• In December, organise that running list into your three categories
• Reflect on the past year first: journal what you did, then scroll through photos by month
• Write what went well and what you want to avoid — shapes what goes in and what stays out
• Write a "dream version" of the year with no constraints; use it as raw material

Choosing the right goals

• Don't include goals you'd do anyway — they don't count
• Prefer numerical goals; they're objective and trackable
• Assign a word of the year as a mental anchor (e.g. "solve", "discomfort") — put it where you'll see it daily

Making goals stick

• Measure progress: use a live tracker (e.g. Cyfe/Numerics dashboard) or a dated spreadsheet
• Lock commitments into your calendar immediately — booked trips happen, vague intentions don't
• Print the goal sheet; stick it on the fridge, monitor, or anywhere in daily eyeline
• The more often you see your goals, the more likely you act on them