The new year is the optimal time to make significant changes to your life and pursue new hobbies. It’s a do over, a 365 day groundhog experience. Though this experience is one that in my opinion should be celebrated, I also believe it shouldn’t be taken for granted. None of us know how many more do overs we have in stock. Whether or not our 365 days may be cut short is unbeknownst to us. With that in mind this new opportunity to reconstruct ourselves and dissect aspects of our former realities in favor of new extensions should be used wisely. 

The most responsible way to go about handling that is by mapping out SMART goals for your 2023. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time sensitive goals. If they’re specific you’ll know exactly what you need to do to reach that aspiration. You’ll have a much more solid target. If they’re vague, the journey to get there may not be as straightforward, therefore making the path a much harder one to commit to.

If it’s measurable you’ll be able to record your progress along the way. This will motivate you to continue working towards your objectives. Attainable would mean, goals that aren’t so astronomical that you were setting yourself up for failure by setting them. They need to be within your reach so you’ll actually have a fair chance at accomplishing them. Your goals also should be realistic so you don’t waste your time attempting to do or achieve something that’ll eventually discourage you because it’s not possible for you in your current situation, whatever that may be. 

Lastly, you should give yourself a time frame in which you want to achieve each of your goals for this year, that way you’ll not only pace yourself, but it’ll be another way to ensure that you pursue the goal you’ve set because as that time creeps around the corner it’ll keep you on your toes and vigilant. It’s important to have your eye set on these ambitions at the beginning of the year. It’ll optimize what time you have and actually make some impactful changes. They’ll give you a refreshing sense of purpose and accomplishment.

What goals do you have for this year?

Zada Luby is a first-year student at Gwinnett Technical college, she’s a nursing major who loves art, nature, and helping her community grow. Follow her interests and more here