Goal setting and New Year's resolutions

It's the same every year: We set New Year's goals that are forgotten by February at the latest. Be it drinking less or no alcohol at all, for example during Dry January, eating healthier or becoming more effective: the list of the new ones Goals is long!

So that these projects are not doomed to failure, we will show you two approaches today: we will first provide you with the most important content and tips from the successful bestseller “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” ( in German: the 7 habits of highly effective people) and then explain the classic SMART method to you.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

An important point is: sharpen the saw. This means that you shouldn't work yourself to death, but rather strive for a sustainable lifestyle that gives you time to recover, recharge and be effective in the long term. Take your breaks when you need them. It's going to be worth it!

Be proactive! If you feel the need to influence your environment and make a difference, don't spend your time just reacting to external influences. Take your life into your own hands and take responsibility. Of course, in the current situation this is not always possible. But don't let that get you down. Better times will come!

It is also important to start with a goal in mind. Think about what your vision is for the future and align your actions accordingly so that your goals become reality. Priorities are the be-all and end-all here. Put the most important things first and focus on what is most relevant. If you have several New Year's resolutions, rank them in order. What do you want to achieve first? In January you will be alcohol-free for a month and then you can try a new language.

In a group, the contributions of many exceed the performance of one individual. Therefore, you should take advantage of these synergy effects. You will quickly find that you can achieve goals faster and easier that you might not have achieved on your own. It's easier together. So team up with someone to learn a new instrument, a language, or go alcohol-free.

The SMART method

The SMART method is about formulating your goals in a more sophisticated way and thereby achieving them better. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic and Timed.

You should therefore formulate your goals as concretely and specifically as possible and set a measurable goal. You will only have the necessary motivation if the goal is formulated in an attractive way. Setting attractive goals means that they are formulated positively.

It is important that you set realistic goals that are achievable within your time and resources. They should challenge you, but not be utopian! Finally, every goal needs a deadline by which it should be achieved. The appointment is the goal, but also a checkpoint to find out whether you have implemented everything you planned.

As a small example: You have decided to drink less alcohol or not drink it at all. Using the SMART method, your goal could be:

I will manage to be alcohol-free throughout Dry January by trying two new non-alcoholic drinks every weekend.

Alcohol-free as a New Year's resolution?

There are numerous reasons to live alcohol-free - whether for a few months or a whole year. Have you decided to drink less alcohol in the new year or stay away from it altogether? Then here you can get your bottle of Laori Juniper No 1, which you can use to easily mix your favorite drinks yourself.