Write Your “23 for 2023” Checklist

Through the duties of on a regular basis life, we are able to get so busy that it may be tough to take the vitality and time to pause and mirror.

Because of this, I’m an enormous fan of any train that helps us to step again and take into consideration adjustments we would make to develop into happier, more healthy, extra productive, or extra inventive.

Typically, that catalyst is a date, equivalent to January 1—in order for you extra concepts of dates to make use of, check out the Calendar of Catalysts.

Questioners might protest that the date of January 1 is unfair, however it does mark a milestone in time, and is a cultural second that reminds us to assume large and broad.

On the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, we talk about totally different approaches to creating change. For 2023, we’ve talked about becoming a member of the yearly problem (#Outside23in23), figuring out a one-word theme for 2023, and making a “23 for 2023” record.

Analysis exhibits that after we set particular goals for ourselves, no shock, we’re extra more likely to obtain them. So taking the time to make this record could make an enormous distinction to our happiness.

Over time, we’ve seen the inventive ways in which individuals strategy these lists.

make your 23 for 2023 record:

• Use the quantity 23 in a inventive method, equivalent to “Attempt 23 new recipes” or as Elizabeth notes, “Learn 23 novels”
• Divide the record into classes, equivalent to “Household,” “Profession,” “Journey” “Enjoyable”
• Construct the whole record round a single essential goal, equivalent to “Transfer” or “Swap careers”
• Construct the whole record your one-word theme—as an example, “Earn” or “Fewer”
• It’s useful to be concrete, and body objects as actions, not outcomes—not “Be taught Italian” however “Memorize 5 new phrases daily” or “Use Duolingo daily”
• Contemplate whether or not you’re an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Insurgent—take the free “4 Tendencies” persona quiz
• Create a compelling visible show of your record
• Overview your record incessantly—I goal to assessment my record on the twenty third of each month
• Contemplate making a listing of solely pleasurable objects! Particularly you Obligers!
• Share a listing with another person, to work on goals collectively
• Take note of vocabulary—the identical exercise will be way more interesting, or not, relying on how we body it, the vocabulary we use.

Don’t fear about whether or not you’ll be capable to cross off all 23 objects. Neither Elizabeth nor I has ever managed to finish a whole record! However making this record assist us to be happier.

Need to make record of your “23 for 2023?” Obtain the free PDF right here. We like to see individuals’s lists—it’s fascinating to see what individuals do with their record—so in case you’re so inclined, submit it to #23for23 on social media. We will all study from one another.

Elizabeth’s 23 for 2023 record:

One-word theme is SCALE.

1. Hike Fryman Canyon 50 instances—she’s going to trace within the Happier™ app
2. Floss each night time
3. Get again in her wedding ceremony rings
4. Hike in Ojai with Sarah
5. Make a journey with associates from highschool
6. Get the right small cross-body bag
7. Use her packing cubes
8. Learn 23 novels (this contains audiobooks)
9. Through the potential writers’ strike, define a novel
10. Attempt pickleball
11. Get her mah jong group going once more
12. At all times carry Kleenex
13. Get two physique scans
14. Stroll to Malibu
15. End her will with Adam
16. Go exterior 23 minutes a day—in fact!
17. Host a household social gathering
18. Construct up Daisy’s and Nacho’s stamina to allow them to go on hikes
19. Improve her residence workplace
20. Throw out gross t-shirts—each laborious and straightforward to do
21. Get a brand new gown
22. Go away for an evening with associates
23. Do Season Three of Fantasy Island—an final result, however she’s going to manifest it

Gretchen’s 23 for 2023 record:

One-word theme is WAVE.

1. Go to the Met daily
2. Go exterior 23 in 23
3. Make amends for my picture albums
4. 30 straight days of tradition
5. Deal with one tough e mail per day
6. Make standing haircut appointments
7. Purchase new underwear
8. Have a summer time of re-reading
9. Be extra systematic about connecting with associates and colleagues
10. Purchase airplane denims
11. Assist Eleanor get a driver’s license and Elizabeth to make a will
12. Work out the route for my subsequent writing undertaking
13. Get pleasure from 23 seconds of sensory delight every day
14. Put on make-up daily
15. Work on my Muse Machine
16. Create a time capsule for 2023—we talked about this concept in episode 401
17. Ask individuals for the names of journalists who is perhaps occupied with my e book Life in 5 Senses
18. Begin a brand new group
19. As soon as a month, choose a New York Metropolis place I’ve by no means visited, and go there
20. Embrace this yr of household transition
21. Overview this record on the twenty third of every month
22. Add a “My Thirty Minutes” to my calendar every workday (and determine a catchy identify for this time)
23. Watch an amazing TV present

Elizabeth and I’ve made these lists for a number of years, and annually, we’re so glad we did it. It’s a really clarifying and artistic train. 

Additionally, it’s a enjoyable train to do with different individuals. Elizabeth and I’ve a good time speaking about our lists collectively; sharing lists is an effective way to spark dialog about pursuits, values, and goals. Attempt doing it with associates, household, or co-workers. It’s possible you’ll discover objects that you simply’d wish to sort out collectively.

Have you ever discovered any contemporary methods to articulate and work in direction of your goals? Making a New 12 months’s decision isn’t the one method!