Hey, everyone! It's almost new year! 🎆

The new year is often a time for reflection and new beginnings. We look back on the past year, acknowledging our accomplishments and identifying areas for growth. Then, here comes the question: what is your biggest goal for the year ahead?

This month, we are rolling out the New Year, New Goal challenge at Virtual Coffee. We encourage our members (and you!) to set up one big goal they want to accomplish by this year and break it into small goals to achieve it.

You might ask, "One big goal? But I have several goals that I want to achieve this year." Then, you should keep reading this post to find the answer.

But before we go any further, we want to share something. This challenge is not only for you and our members. We (Virtual Coffee) also have our big goal this year.

To celebrate five years of Virtual Coffee, we will hold Virtual Coffee Community Online Conference for the first time ever, and we're very excited about that!

If you're a Virtual Coffee member and one of your goals is to speak at tech conferences, this is the perfect time to get ready!

Okay. Now, let's get back to our challenge!

Why One Big Goal?

There's nothing wrong with having many goals to achieve in a year. But how many of you actually stick to all of them?

Focusing on one ambitious goal can be more effective in improving your chances of success. This goal could be anything from landing your dream job to becoming a speaker at tech conferences, from mastering a skill to finally launching that side project you've been dreaming of.

Your goal doesn't have to be related to your professional life. It can also be something that you want to achieve in your personal life. Maybe you want to learn a new language, play a musical instrument, travel the world, or get in shape—whatever you want to achieve!

Here are some benefits of focusing on one big goal:

• Increasing Focus and Motivation: Concentrating your energy on a single goal reduces your chances of feeling overwhelmed or distracted. This focused effort can significantly increase your motivation and drive.
• Boosting Productivity: Focusing on one main goal helps you work more efficiently. It keeps you from spending time on activities that don't help you reach that goal.
• Greater Sense of Accomplishment: Achieving one significant goal can provide a powerful sense of accomplishment and increase self-confidence. This success can then fuel your motivation to tackle future challenges.
• Discovering Your Hidden Potential: Setting an ambitious goal pushes you beyond your comfort zone. You'll learn new skills, develop strength, and discover hidden talents you never knew you had.
• Improving Your Career: Whether you're seeking a promotion, a new job, or the opportunity to start your own company, achieving a well-defined goal can significantly impact your career trajectory.

Choosing Your One Big Goal

When choosing one big goal from several, you can try these:

Brainstorming

You can start by brainstorming a list of potential goals. These could be professional, personal, or a combination of both. For example:

• Professional: Finding a new job, learning a new technology (like AI or cloud computing), becoming a speaker at tech conferences.
• Personal: Learning a new language, improving your fitness, traveling to a new country.
• Combination: Finding a remote job you can do while traveling, learning a new language to get a job abroad.

Prioritization

Once you have a list of potential goals, prioritize them based on their importance to you until you find one that speaks loud to you. You can consider these factors:

• Long-Term Vision: Does this goal contribute to your overall vision for your life? Will achieving it impact your long-term happiness and fulfilment? Choosing a goal that excites and fulfils you will boost your motivation and help you overcome challenges.
• Personal Growth: Will achieving this goal lead to your personal growth, such as developing new skills, overcoming fears, or building confidence?
• Realistic Expectations: Is this goal challenging but achievable within the given timeframe?
• Measurable Progress: Can you track your progress towards this goal with clear milestones and metrics? This will help you maintain motivation and identify areas for improvement.
• Time Commitment: How much time and energy will this goal require? Do you have the necessary resources (time, finances, etc.) to dedicate?
• Support System: Do you have the support of friends, family, or mentors to help you achieve this goal?
• Life Stage: Consider your current stage of life (career, family, etc.). Choose a goal that fits with your current responsibilities and commitments.

Breaking Down Your Big Goal

To make your big goal more manageable, break it down into smaller, more achievable goals. This will make your journey less daunting and give you a roadmap for success. How do you break your goals into small ones?

• Set SMART goals: Ensure your smaller goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of "Learn to code," set a goal like "Complete a beginner-level Python course within the next three months."
• Create a timeline: Establish deadlines for each smaller goal to maintain momentum and stay on track.
• Track your progress: Regularly monitor your progress and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. This could involve keeping a journal, using a project management tool, or simply reviewing your goals weekly.

Final Words

Let's set one ambitious goal this year and commit to making it a reality! Take time to reflect on your aspirations, choose your one big goal, and break it down into smaller, actionable goals.

Whatever your goal is, you want to remember this:

• It's okay to adjust your goals throughout the year as your priorities and circumstances change.
• Celebrate your progress along the way, no matter how small.
• Don't be afraid to seek guidance and support from others.

Come and share with us your goal for 2025 in the comment below, and let's hold each other accountable!

Lastly, visit our website if you want to know more about our community, and join the waitlist if you want to be a member!