4 goals to set yourself at the beginning of the year that will get you where you want to be by December




In order to provide you with the best possible experience on the LifeSkills website we use cookies and similar technology to collect data from your device and browser while you are here. Collecting this data helps us to personalise content for you, understand how you use the website, allow access to social media features and deliver personalised service and advert message content. You can find out more in our Cookie Policy. Please select ‘Accept all’ to consent to us collecting your data in this way. To see other data collection options, select ‘Manage data preferences’.
The types of similar technologies used in this website fall into one of four categories - Strictly Necessary, Performance, Functionality & Profile and Targeting. You can find out more information in our Cookie Policy.
Please indicate the categories you wish to consent to by selecting ‘Manage data preferences’ and using the sliders below and then click “Save preferences” to retain your preferences for future visits. You can change these preferences at any time by clicking Cookie Policy on our website.
For learners from school through to university and beyond
What stage are you at?
For people like teachers, youth group leaders, mentors, local authorities, charities, job centre staff, and parents or carers
Work with a group or a class
Coach an adult
Tools, tips and activities to help your family
Resources for educators
We’ve all been there. Recovering from the festive season and getting back into school or work, determined to step things up and achieve all kinds of personal and professional milestones. Sometimes we just end up putting ourselves under too much stress in doing so and struggle to stay focused, but it’s worth remembering some timeless principles that you can always go back to in order to stay on track to have a great year.
1. Get fit. The number one new year’s resolution in the UK, getting fit has a long string of benefits to your wellbeing that include increased energy, improved mood, less stress, better sleep, weight control and various health improvements. Yep, it’s a no-brainer.
2. Learn new things. Enjoy life – explore new places near or far, learn to walk on your hands, learn to make a cake like that lady off the telly – the world is full of wild and magnificent experiences, skills and talents. The process of finding them, not just the end result, is so rewarding you’ll wonder why you’ve been sitting there looking at your Facebook for the last hour.
3. Help someone. Volunteer. You can help build shelter, care for a person or animal, distribute food to the hungry, tutor a student; it’s up to you. Volunteering changes lives for the better – it’s an amazing achievement to have under your belt – great for your reputation, life experience, CV building and self-esteem. Far from being “doing something for free”, you get way more out than you put in. You can’t lose.
4. Switch off. Keeping fit, volunteering and learning new things will all take time, but make sure you give yourself a period every day to de-stress, relax, regroup, and be ready to go again. You might meditate, you might go for a walk – and taking yourself offline for that period is always a good idea, if you can bring yourself to do it!
Silly CV mistakes can make or break your application. Read our expert tips on the common problems to avoid.
YouTube vlogger Emma Blackery considers her strengths and weaknesses.
Hear from different people about what success means to them.