As the year comes to an end, use these 50 questions as a starting point to explore your achievements and goals

The concept of ‘New Year resolutions’ has been widely studied, including in 2020 research published in the journal PLoS One. In this study, researchers investigated what resolutions people make when they feel free to formulate them, and whether there is an increased likelihood of the resolution's success when information and exercises on effective goal setting is offered. What they found was that participants with approach-oriented goals were significantly more successful than those with avoidance-oriented goals – for example, if the goal was to be healthier, the goal of ‘be more active in daily life’ would be more effective than ‘lose weight’. On top of that, the group who received the support on goal setting were also more successful than those who didn’t. The support they were given? Someone to check in with about their goals, information on coping with hurdles, and additional exercises around their goals.

You may be able to replicate these findings by working with a professional, like a life coach – but you can also take steps to get really intentional about what you want to achieve in the coming year, all by yourself.

We’re creeping ever-closer to the end of 2023, and with it comes the perfect prompt to reflect on where we’re at. It could be in relation to some dreams or goals of yours, or simply your overall state of mind. Whatever it is, making time to intentionally explore what’s going on inside can help us develop a greater understanding of where we are and what we need. So, use these 50 questions to explore the year that’s just past, uncover what is and isn’t working for you, and carve out a plan for the year that’s about to begin.

  1. What things are different from last year?
  2. What things have remained the same?
  3. How would you describe your overall wellbeing right now?
  4. What moments from the past year excited you?
  5. If you could return to this time last year, what would you do differently?
  6. What would you do the same?
  7. List three achievements from the past year that you’re proud of.
  8. What were some of the personal challenges that you faced this year?
  9. What was the best thing you learned this year?
  10. How do you feel about your physical health?
  11. How do you feel about your mental health?
  12. What can you do now that you couldn’t do this time last year?
  13. What were some of the happiest moments from the past year?
  14. How do you feel about your relationships?
  15. What were some of the hardest moments?
  16. Did you make any new habits?
  17. Is there anything you wished you did more of?
  18. How do you feel about your relationship with technology?
  19. Did anything surprising happen to you this year?
  20. Did your relationship with yourself change?
  21. What did you overcome?
  22. Did you feel stressed often?
  23. What new experiences did you have?
  24. Did you receive the support that you needed?
  25. How do you feel about your work-life balance?
  26. What is the main thing you would like to achieve this coming year?
  27. What small steps will you take to make it happen?
  28. Who in your life offers you the best support?
  29. What three things are you passionate about?
  30. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
  31. What makes you feel excited?
  32. How do you best learn new things?
  33. What is a dream that you have always had?
  34. What do you want to keep the same?
  35. What makes you feel drained?
  36. How would you like to make an impact on the world around you?
  37. What are your best qualities?
  38. Are there any habits you would like to break?
  39. Who inspires you?
  40. Do you have any childhood dreams you’d like to come true?
  41. How will you take care of yourself in the coming year?
  42. What are the signs that you need to take a break?
  43. What things make you feel motivated?
  44. How do you work best?
  45. What does success look like to you?
  46. How do you overcome hurdles?
  47. What new experiences are you looking forward to?
  48. What makes you feel fulfilled?
  49. How are you going to prioritise joy?
  50. Where do you want to be in a year’s time?