It's not too late to make a New Year's resolution

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Updated December 04, 2024 at 11:00 AM ET

Got an ambition that's been on the shelf for a while? This is the year to turn it into a reality.

Maybe you've been trying to pay off your credit cards but have been struggling to save money because of inflation. Maybe you're thinking about taking the next step in your relationship but want to make sure it's the right call. Or maybe you just want to scratch some of those smaller projects off your to-do list: declutter, start flossing and make more friends at work.

Whatever your goal is, Life Kit is here to support you. This year's New Year's Resolution Planner has a fresh new mix of ideas to help you move forward in the coming months.

Each episode comes with clear, practical advice on how to achieve the objective, which is important when it comes to sticking to a resolution. "Goal pursuit requires focused attention," says Elliot Berkman, a psychologist at the University of Oregon. "Our minds need to be focused on one thing," he says.

Ready to take action? Got your target set? Let's go!

This year, I want to ...

Career

• Ask for a raise
• Start a side hustle
• Quit my job
• Shake my impostor syndrome

Fitness

• Get stronger
• Start exercising
• Become a runner
• Be more flexible
• Get healthier (without going to the gym)

Get organized

• Keep my New Year's resolutions
• Write to-do lists that work
• Start a new healthy habit
• Change my life
• Improve my focus

Health

• Drink less alcohol
• Be a morning person
• Drink enough water
• Try to live to 100
• Sleep better
• Eat more mindfully
• Take care of my teeth

Hobbies

• Mend my own clothes
• Get into birding
• Learn a heritage language
• Start a creative habit
• Find good books to read

Home

• Clean out my clutter
• Prep for emergencies
• Save time on laundry
• Make my home more climate friendly

Mental health

• Embrace my perfectionism
• Explore my gender identity
• Have more fun
• Get better at saying 'no'
• Deal with burnout
• Get into meditation

Family

• Decide whether I want kids
• Freeze my eggs
• Spend more quality time with my kids
• Be a better auntie or uncle
• Start new traditions

Finances

• Make a budget
• Get out of debt
• Find a better bank
• Stop stress spending
• Have fun on a budget

Relationships

• Create a 'relationship contract'
• Be OK with being single
• Get married
• Create friends at work

The episodes were created by Life Kit. Design, development and illustrations by Connie Hanzhang Jin. Production, editing and art direction by Malaka Gharib, Clare Marie Schneider, Beck Harlan and Kaz Fantone. Special thanks to Life Kit supervising editor Meghan Keane, growth editor Arielle Retting, podcast project manager Lyndsey McKenna and engagement editor Amanda Orr.

We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org.

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