3 Powerful Questions To Ask Yourself This January To Create Your Best Year Yet
Gain clarity, set meaningful goals, and build a solid foundation for success in the months ahead.
Cover photo by Max Ostrozhinskiy on Unsplash.
The start of a new year naturally invites us to pause and reflect. January offers that perfect moment to reset and refocus our energy on what truly matters. But instead of rushing to make resolutions that might not stick, I've found that asking the right questions can create much more meaningful change.
These three questions have helped me to gain deeper clarity, set authentic goals, and create a solid path forward. Let's explore how they can help you make this your most fulfilling year.
1. What Were My Biggest Wins and Challenges Last Year?
Why this matters:
Understanding what worked well and what didn't gives you valuable insights to build upon. Your past experiences contain hidden wisdom that can guide your next steps.
How to approach it:
First, take some time to celebrate your wins, both big and small. What projects brought you joy? Which goals did you achieve? Maybe you launched a website, created a collection that resonated with people, or simply maintained a consistent creative practice. Acknowledging these successes builds confidence and reminds you of your capabilities.
Next, look at the challenges you faced. Were there projects that didn't go as planned? Obstacles that kept appearing? Try to view these not as failures but as valuable feedback.
Finally, extract the lessons from both categories. Your wins reveal your strengths and what conditions help you thrive. Your challenges point to areas where new approaches might be needed.
Try this:
Set aside 30 minutes with your favorite drink and a notebook. Create two columns – "Wins" and "Lessons" – and fill them without judgment. Then look for patterns that can inform your approach this year.
2. What Are My Core Values and How Will My Goals Reflect Them?
Why this matters:
When your goals align with your deepest values, you're naturally more motivated to pursue them. Goals disconnected from what truly matters to you often fade away, no matter how much willpower you apply.
How to approach it:
Start by identifying what genuinely matters to you. Is it creativity, freedom, connection, growth, or something else entirely? Think about times when you felt most fulfilled – what values were being honored in those moments?
Then, look at your goals for the year ahead. Do they reflect these values? For example, if freedom is important to you, perhaps your goals should include building passive income streams or creating more flexible work arrangements rather than taking on more time-intensive client work.
The magic happens when your daily actions support what you truly care about. This alignment creates a sense of purpose that carries you through inevitable challenges.
Try this:
Write down 3-5 core values that feel most important to you right now. Then for each goal you're considering this year, ask: "How does this goal honor my values?" If there's no clear connection, it might be worth reconsidering.
3. What Key Habits Will Support My Vision This Year?
Why this matters:
Real change comes from what we do consistently, not occasionally. The right habits create momentum that makes achieving your goals almost inevitable.
How to approach it:
Think about your vision for the year ahead. What regular practices would naturally lead toward that vision? If you want to grow your online presence, perhaps a key habit is creating content twice a week. If improving your craft is important, maybe it's dedicating focused time to skill development.
Take an honest look at your current routines too. Which ones are moving you forward? Which might be holding you back? Sometimes letting go of certain habits is as important as adopting new ones.
The key is to start small. Choose 1-2 habits that would make the biggest difference, and focus on integrating those before adding more.
Try this:
Identify one morning habit and one evening habit that would support your most important goal. Keep it simple enough that you can do it even on your busiest days. Then find a way to track your consistency – a simple check mark on your calendar works wonderfully.
These three questions work together to create a powerful foundation for your year. By understanding your past experiences, aligning with your core values, and establishing supportive habits, you set yourself up for sustainable success.
Remember that this reflection process isn't about creating rigid plans but about gaining clarity that guides your choices throughout the year. Life will surprise you – it always does – but with this foundation, you'll be able to adapt while staying true to what matters most.
What insights have you discovered by asking yourself these questions? I'd love to hear what's guiding your creative journey this year.
Francesca – Armonica Studio
Francesca is the creator of Armonica Studio, a marketing consultancy focusing on strategy and communication. She is a Brand Strategist, a Communication Consultant, and the creator of The Armonica Blog: Marketing Insights And Actionable Tips For Creators And Makers. She currently lives in Berlin, Germany.
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