Four Steps to Setting Goals in the New Year

As you step into a brand-new year, you may feel the desire to reset, refocus, or simply get back to what matters most. Setting goals is one of the most powerful ways to build the kind of life God is calling you toward—but many of us don’t know where to begin. That’s why we’re excited to share this practical, hope-filled guidance from Christy Wright—best-selling author, business coach, and one of the most influential voices helping Christians pursue purpose with confidence.

In this New Year’s article, Christy offers four simple, actionable steps to help you set goals that reflect your values, strengthen your faith, and move you toward the future you want to create. Whether you’re seeking growth in your relationship, career, health, or spiritual life, these steps will help you start 2026 with clarity, intention, and renewed motivation.

I love this time of year. The holidays are my absolute favorite, but not just because of the lights and food and family time. I also love that we have the opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and decide where we want to go. And if we’re being honest, we all need a fresh start after the past year.

Progress isn’t going to appear out of thin air, which is why I love teaching people the habit and skill of setting goals. Here are four steps that will help you make real-life changes in 2026:

Decide What You Want

Before you make those workout plans or sign up for that conference, the most important thing for you to do is answer one simple question: What do you want next year? (Notice I said simple—not easy. In fact, this is one of the hardest questions we’ll ever answer.)

You have to decide what you want, because if you never define your finish line, you’ll never cross it. Or worse, you’ll chase someone else’s version of success. This isn’t about what your mom wants you to do or what those influencers on Instagram tell you to do. This is about you deciding what you want to do this year.

Set Goals Around What You Want

Once you know what you want, you can set goals in the areas where you want to grow—whether that’s your marriage, kids, fitness, health, business, career, faith, or community. Your goals should be specific, measurable, and have a time limit. For example, if you want to become a long-distance runner this year, you might set a goal to run a half-marathon (specific and measurable) by the end of the year.

Create a Plan

Once you’ve set your goals, break them down into weekly steps. As you do this, you’ll begin to create a path to get to where you want to be.

Let’s say you want a better marriage. A specific action you can take is to have date night every week or plan a weekend away every few months. If you want to take on more responsibility at work, ask someone in your field to mentor you or sign up for a class or conference that will help you sharpen your skills. Give yourself specific actions to take and deadlines to back them up!

Put It on the Calendar

Now that you’ve set your goals and created your plan, you have to put it all on the calendar. You and I both know that if something isn’t on the calendar, it’s not going to happen. If you put your goals on paper, on purpose, as a priority, you’re much more likely to achieve them.

Remember, you’re looking at a fresh start and a clean slate. You can make 2026 anything you want it to be!

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Setting goals isn’t just about productivity—it’s about stewardship. God invites you to use your gifts, time, and opportunities with purpose, and Christy Wright’s four-step approach gives you a practical path to begin. As you look ahead to 2026, remember: you don’t need to overhaul your entire life to make meaningful progress. You simply need to start with intention, take small consistent steps, and trust God to guide your path.

If you’re ready to grow in your faith, strengthen your habits, and pursue the calling God has placed on your heart, let this be the year you take the next step. Put your goals on paper, pray over them, and move forward with courage—your fresh start begins now.

You can also build strong spiritual habits with courses at the Spiritual Growth Hub.