It is usually this time of the year when our work responsibilities start to gain momentum, that we truly acknowledge that another year is in full swing.

As we settle into a daily routine, it provides us with another opportunity to start thinking about the year ahead, and in particular, what we hope to achieve in 2023.

What do you hope to complete or accomplish?

What you hope for, for example, might be to achieve a long term goal of losing weight or saving some money to travel. Or it could be a short term goal, like exploring our beautiful countryside, or learning how to dance.

If you’re not sure what you hope to achieve this year, think about your values and what’s important to you. We’re more likely to make changes to our health and lifestyle when they are based on our values.

So what are values?

Values are principles/standards of behaviour. They represent what is important in our life. Values represent who we are as individuals and what we stand for…

Below are some examples that might help you to start thinking about your own values and what’s important to you…

For example (in no particular order), you may value:

  • health and wellbeing, and wish to improve it
  • relationships with loved ones, and wish to enhance them
  • work/career/business/education, and wish to further develop this
  • creative/artistic expression, and wish to enrich it
  • community, and wish to contribute to it
  • adventure, and wish to create more new experiences
  • financial security, and wish to improve your current situation

Once you are clear about your values, base your goals and what you hope to achieve on those core principles.

Then think about taking some action. What are the necessary steps that you need to take to help you achieve your goals? Then take those steps!

Be as specific as possible

If you value good health and wellbeing for example, and part of that is increasing your fitness, your action steps may be to exercise at least 30 minutes a day every day.

If you value your local community and wish to contribute through volunteer work, your action steps may be to explore volunteering opportunities in your local area. You may then decide to mentor disadvantaged teens to help improve their writing or driving skills.

Write down exactly what you value and what you’re going to do to achieve your goals. Put it somewhere prominent to help remind you on a daily basis that this is what you hope to achieve in 2022.

Remember without planning and action, your goal is just a dream…

Not sure what to make a priority?

Have a look at the examples below and think about which one/s resonate with you. What’s important to you? What do you stand for? Are you living by your values?

“I value good health and wellbeing and wish to improve it through”:

  • learning to box
  • meditating
  • managing stress
  • quitting smoking
  • losing weight
  • reducing alcohol
  • gambling less
  • exercising
  • cutting out sugar
  • eating treats sparingly
  • eating healthier
  • leaving work on time

“I value my relationships with loved ones and wish to enhance them by”:

  • spending more time with them
  • making amends
  • spending less time on social media
  • accepting them as they are
  • reducing conflict
  • seeing a family counsellor
  • listening more and talking less
  • acknowledging their thoughts and feelings

“I value my work/career/business/education and wish to progress it by”:

  • improving my work performance/ethic
  • getting organised
  • gaining a promotion
  • doing additional study/reading
  • being mentored
  • completing online training
  • seeking new opportunities/new clients
  • speaking to a careers’ counsellor
  • attending networking events
  • pursuing professional development
  • volunteering in my chosen field
  • completing a recognised qualification

“I value my creative/artistic expression and wish to enrich it/develop it by”:

  • learning to dance
  • cooking
  • painting
  • learning another language
  • writing a novel
  • learning to play a musical instrument
  • planning a holiday to a foreign destination
  • designing and landscaping my garden
  • creating party invitations/ decorations
  • learning photography
  • creating fancy meals
  • starting a travel blog

“I value my community and wish to contribute to it by volunteering to”:

  • coach a sporting team
  • mentor local children
  • run a social group for single mothers
  • create a new garden for the local school
  • start a non-for-profit project
  • support the elderly at the local nursing home

“I value financial security and wish to improve my finances by”:

  • cutting down on excess spending
  • putting some money aside every week
  • reducing credit card debt
  • contributing additional funds to superannuation
  • investing in shares/property
  • seeking additional work

We’re much more motivated to make positive changes when they are based on our values, and what we believe feels right for us.

If you desire to change, it’s never too late – today is a great day to get started.

Remember that any type of change takes time and consistent effort. Be consistent every day.

Remind yourself of the steps that you are taking and the small achievements you’re making along the way, and in good time you will achieve the results you’re looking for.

We hope you enjoyed this post and until next time, wishing you all great health and wellbeing including a successful 2023!

Like this article? Then share it on social media.

Want to be kept up to date? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and as a thank you gift, receive our health & wellbeing e-Book for free.