New years goals
and visualizing what you want 2025 to look like ⭐
I’ve always been big on visualizing and also creating a roadmap to get to your goals. Whether you are working at a company or building a company, it’s super important to set your intention for the new year and create paths to get to your goals. Visualizing and setting goals isn’t just about creating a checklist; it’s about crafting a strategic roadmap that aligns with your vision, motivates your team, and sets the stage for growth. Here are some actionable strategies for visualizing and achieving impactful goals for your company (or career).
1. Reflect on the past year
Before you look forward, take time to look back. Review the accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned over the past year. Ask yourself:
What did I like about the year?
What would I have changed?
What were the key milestones achieved?
Which goals fell short, and why?
What unexpected opportunities or obstacles arose?
2. Define your vision and mission
Your company’s vision and mission are your guiding stars. They provide a sense of purpose and clarity for goal-setting. Revisit these foundational statements to ensure they’re still relevant. If necessary, refine them to reflect your company’s evolving trajectory.
Vision: What long-term impact does your company aim to make?
Mission: How will you achieve that vision?
Clear vision and mission statements act as filters, ensuring that the goals you set align with your overarching purpose.
3. Use SMART goals
To ensure your goals are effective, apply the SMART framework:
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Quantify progress and success metrics.
Achievable: Set realistic yet challenging objectives.
Relevant: Align goals with your business priorities.
Time: Establish deadlines to create urgency.
For example, instead of saying, “Increase revenue,” aim for, “Increase revenue by 20% by Q4 through expanding our customer base and launching two new products.”
4. Prioritize key objectives
While it’s tempting to set numerous goals, focus is key. Overloading your agenda can dilute efforts and lead to burnout. Identify 3-5 high-impact objectives that:
Align with your vision.
Address critical pain points / opportunities.
Leverage your company’s unique strengths.
Concentrating on fewer priorities increases the likelihood of success and fosters a sense of achievement. And then you can move on to the next round of priorities. (There will always be more…)
5. Involve your support / team
You can’t and shouldn’t do it alone. Engaging your team fosters buy-in, generates diverse perspectives, and ensures alignment across the organization. Host brainstorming sessions to:
Discuss company aspirations and challenges.
Gather input on realistic and ambitious goals.
Clarify roles and responsibilities.
When your team feel invested in the goal-setting process, they’re more committed to making it happen.
6. Visualize
Visualization is a powerful tool for bringing goals to life. I do a vision board every year and highly recommend this tool.
Create a physical or digital collage representing your goals. For me, I do it old school and just get a bunch of magazines and cut out photos that represent what I want for the year. I do this on a personal level and company level on one board to visualize the whole year hollistically.
Below is an example… i’ll share mine after I create it :)
7. Allocate resources & delegate
Ambitious goals require adequate resources. Assess your company’s needs and action from there. I’m a huge fan of delegating tasks so you can focus on the high level vision.
8. Revisit your goals throughout the year
Keep your goals and vision board somewhere handy so you can look at it and ensure you are on the path to success.
Goal-setting isn’t a one-and-done activity. At the end of the year, evaluate outcomes and refine your approach for the next cycle. This iterative process ensures continuous improvement and alignment with your evolving vision.
As a founder, the goals you set today shape the future of your company. By combining thoughtful reflection, strategic planning, and consistent execution, you’ll create a roadmap that inspires your team and drives meaningful results. Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and success!
x Natalie