How to Set Goals for 2027 That You'll Actually Keep
Most New Year's resolutions don't fail because people lack willpower. They fail because "get healthy" or "save more" isn't a plan; it's a wish. Here's a five-step method that turns a wish into something you can work on this week.
Step 1: Look back before you look ahead
Spend 20 minutes on 2026. Answer three questions: What went well? What drained me? What do I want to keep, stop and start? A quick "wheel of life" (rate eight areas such as health, money, work, relationships and fun from 1 to 10) shows where a goal will make the biggest difference.
Step 2: Choose fewer goals
Pick three to five goals at most, ideally from different areas of life. One big goal you hit beats ten you abandon by February. If you're torn, ask: which of these would make the others easier?
Step 3: Make each goal SMART
Rewrite each goal so it's Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
| Vague | SMART |
|---|---|
| Save more money | Save $3,000 for an emergency fund by December 31, 2027 ($115 per biweekly paycheck) |
| Get fit | Walk 30 minutes, 5 days a week, and finish a 5K by June 2027 |
| Read more | Read 24 books in 2027, two a month |
Step 4: Break it into quarters, months and habits
A year is too long to feel urgent. Give each goal a milestone for every quarter, a focus for each month, and one daily or weekly habit that moves it forward. For the savings goal above: Q1 milestone $750; January focus, cancel two subscriptions; habit, transfer savings every payday. Planning money goals? Our guide to budgeting by paycheck shows how to find the amount.
Step 5: Plan for obstacles, then check in
For each goal, write down the most likely obstacle and what you'll do when it happens ("If I miss a workout, I'll do a 10-minute walk that evening"). Then put a monthly 15-minute check-in on your calendar, and a longer review every quarter. Adjust the plan rather than abandoning the goal.
Choose a word of the year
Many people find a single word (steady, brave, simplify) easier to remember than a list of goals. Write it somewhere you'll see daily.
Free one-page 2027 goal worksheet
Print this to work through steps 2 to 5 for one goal: the SMART version, quarterly milestones, a weekly habit and an obstacle plan.
Free printable one-page 2027 goal setting worksheet: SMART goal, quarterly milestones, weekly habit, obstacle plan and monthly check-ins. PDF, no sign-up.
Mapping the year out? Print our free 2027 calendar with every month and US holidays.
Go deeper with the full workbook
Our Make It Your Year workbook walks through all five steps across five parts: a year in review, a wheel of life, ideal-year pages for eight life areas, five SMART goal worksheets, quarterly plans, 12 monthly habit trackers and check-ins.
Make It Your Year: 2027 Goal Setting Workbook Printable$14.99 · Instant downloadView the printable →Frequently asked questions
How many goals should I set for the year?
Three to five is a good limit. Fewer goals get more attention, and you can add more once the first ones become habits.
What is a SMART goal?
A goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound, for example 'save $3,000 for an emergency fund by December 31, 2027' instead of 'save more money'.
