What Can You Do In the Next 90 Days?

By Jyl | January 15, 2025 |

Happy New Year!  Like many of you, I always look forward to turning the calendar and launching a new year.  Each new year seems to bring a sort of magic with it–new opportunities, goals to achieve, exciting adventures, new people to meet, and so on.

I have revised how I set goals in recent years.  I used to approach each new year with the traditional “resolutions.”  And those are good….we can all “resolve” to do certain things in the new year.  But I also found myself always “resolving” to make improvements in existing habits or behavior.  Lose weight, eat better, exercise more, spend more quality time with friends and family, read more books, etc.  More recently, however, I have approached each new year with a mindset of accomplishment.  I would ask myself, “What can I accomplish this year?”  For me, that word has a sense of achievement to it; and it often carries a certain element of adventure with it as well!  It suggests achieving something I have never done before.  And in some cases, it may be something that I’m not quite sure how I’m going to do it (whatever “it” is); I just know I want to do it.

This year I am trying something even bolder: asking myself, “What can I accomplish in the next 90 days?”  These 90-day “sprints” give me the opportunity to achieve even more things in the full calendar year, but also accelerates my efforts.

We’ve all learned different strategies on how to set, and achieve, goals, so I won’t spend a lot of time rehearsing that kind of information, but perhaps consider the following tips for accomplishing more this year:

  1. Make sure your goals are aligned with values and your long-term vision.  This helps us make sure our accomplishments drive us forward and not in circles.  Sometimes we set goals or accomplish things that are noteworthy and admirable, but do they really help us more forward toward a long-term vision of how we want our life to be?
  2. Break goals into weekly and daily tasks.  Make your accomplishment goal as big as you want!  Then identify steps you’ll need to take in order to accomplish that goal.
  3. Use SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). These five criteria are excellent ways to help you accomplish more.  And don’t be afraid to set some unimaginable goals along the way, too.  Including big dreams in your accomplishment goals is an excellent way to keep your passion for life alive!
  4. Track progress and celebrate small wins. Have fun!  I love having fun!  I love celebrating!  I don’t think we do enough to celebrate, so be willing to have commensurate parties along the way.  (A “commensurate party” simply means that as you achieve small goals, celebrate in small ways.  And when you kill a HUGE goal, PARTY IT UP!)
  5. Adjust goals as needed based on unexpected challenges or progress.  Let’s face it: stuff happens.  Setbacks are real, but don’t let setbacks become excuses to quit.  It’s okay to slow down and take time to adjust as needed, but DON’T QUIT!  EVER!

And if you’re looking for some ideas to help you get started consider the following:

  • Learn a new skill
  • Improve health and fitness
  • Time management
  • Career advancement
  • Add to your savings account(s) (long term, short term, emergency)
  • Start a side hustle
  • Strengthen existing family relationships
  • Improve romance in your relationship with your spouse or significant other
  • Reconnect with old friends
  • Meet new people
  • Enhance creativity (create art, build something, write something, etc)
  • Start a new hobby
  • Be adventurous!  Go somewhere or do something you have NEVER done before

As I mentioned earlier, have FUN along the way!  Let’s make this year the “year of accomplishment!”

Personal Development

  1. Learn a new skill:
    • Complete a 90-day online course or certification.
    • Practice a new language daily for 30 minutes.
    • Read six personal development or skill-focused books.
  2. Health and Wellness:
    • Exercise 4-5 times per week, tracking progress with a fitness app.
    • Transition to a healthy eating plan and meal prep weekly.
    • Meditate for 10 minutes daily to improve mental clarity.
  3. Time Management:
    • Implement a daily productivity system, such as time blocking.
    • Eliminate one major time-wasting habit (e.g., reduce screen time by 2 hours daily).
    • Track and adjust daily routines for efficiency.

Professional Growth

  1. Career Advancement:
    • Complete a major project at work and present the results.
    • Network with 10 industry professionals via LinkedIn or events.
    • Build and execute a personal branding strategy.
  2. Skill Enhancement:
    • Learn a new software/tool relevant to your job.
    • Write and publish a technical or thought-leadership article.
    • Take steps to improve public speaking, like joining Toastmasters.
  3. Side Hustles:
    • Launch a blog, YouTube channel, or small business.
    • Develop a detailed 12-month business plan.
    • Earn $1,000 in additional income from freelance or creative work.

Financial Goals

  1. Savings and Budgeting:
    • Save $X toward an emergency fund or a large purchase.
    • Track all expenses and cut non-essential costs.
    • Establish and follow a monthly budget.
  2. Debt Reduction:
    • Pay off a specific debt or reduce total debt by a set percentage.
    • Avoid new credit card purchases for 90 days.
  3. Investment Education:
    • Research and invest in one new asset (e.g., stocks, ETFs).
    • Read three books or take a course on financial literacy.

Relationships

  1. Family and Friends:
    • Schedule weekly catch-ups with loved ones.
    • Organize a meaningful family activity or trip.
    • Write letters to three important people in your life.
  2. Networking:
    • Attend three professional or community events.
    • Actively participate in an online forum or local group.
  3. Romantic Relationships:
    • Plan a date night every week.
    • Have regular relationship check-ins and set shared goals.

Creative and Fun Goals

  1. Creative Projects:
    • Complete a painting, write a short story, or learn photography.
    • Start a podcast or music project.
  2. Adventure Goals:
    • Explore three new places (local or international).
    • Try an activity outside your comfort zone (e.g., rock climbing, dancing).
  3. Hobbies:
    • Dedicate 30 minutes a day to a hobby you love or want to pick up.
    • Join a class or group related to your passion.

Tips for Success:

  1. Break goals into weekly and daily tasks.
  2. Use SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
  3. Track progress and celebrate small wins.
  4. Adjust goals as needed based on unexpected challenges or progress.

Would you like to focus on a particular area for your 90-day goals?

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