The right way to Write Your “23 for 2023” Checklist

In the course of the duties of on a regular basis life, we will get so busy that it may be troublesome 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 modifications we would make to turn into happier, more healthy, extra productive, or extra inventive.

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

Questioners could 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 focus on 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 once we set particular goals for ourselves, no shock, we’re extra prone to obtain them. So taking the time to make this record could make an enormous distinction to our happiness.

Through the years, we’ve seen the inventive ways in which folks strategy these lists.

The right way to make your 23 for 2023 record:

• Use the quantity 23 in a inventive method, corresponding to “Strive 23 new recipes” or as Elizabeth notes, “Learn 23 novels”
• Divide the record into classes, corresponding to “Household,” “Profession,” “Journey” “Enjoyable”
• Construct all the record round a single essential purpose, corresponding to “Transfer” or “Change careers”
• Construct all the record your one-word theme—as an illustration, “Earn” or “Fewer”
• It’s useful to be concrete, and body gadgets as actions, not outcomes—not “Study Italian” however “Memorize 5 new phrases on daily basis” or “Use Duolingo on daily basis”
• Take into account 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
• Assessment your record continuously—I purpose to evaluate my record on the twenty third of each month
• Take into account making an inventory of solely pleasurable gadgets! Particularly you Obligers!
• Share an inventory with another person, to work on goals collectively
• Take note of vocabulary—the identical exercise will be far more interesting, or not, relying on how we body it, the vocabulary we use.

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

Wish to make record of your “23 for 2023?” Obtain the free PDF right here. We like to see folks’s lists—it’s fascinating to see what folks do with their record—so for those who’re so inclined, publish it to #23for23 on social media. We are able to 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 evening
3. Get again in her wedding ceremony rings
4. Hike in Ojai with Sarah
5. Make a journey with buddies from highschool
6. Get the proper small cross-body bag
7. Use her packing cubes
8. Learn 23 novels (this contains audiobooks)
9. In the course of the potential writers’ strike, define a novel
10. Strive pickleball
11. Get her mah jong group going once more
12. All the time carry Kleenex
13. Get two physique scans
14. Stroll to Malibu
15. End her will with Adam
16. Go exterior 23 minutes a day—after all!
17. Host a household occasion
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 arduous and simple to do
21. Get a brand new gown
22. Go away for an evening with buddies
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 on daily basis
2. Go exterior 23 in 23
3. Compensate for my photograph albums
4. 30 straight days of tradition
5. Sort out one troublesome electronic 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 buddies and colleagues
10. Purchase airplane denims
11. Assist Eleanor get a driver’s license and Elizabeth to make a will
12. Work out the path for my subsequent writing challenge
13. Take pleasure in 23 seconds of sensory delight every day
14. Put on make-up on daily basis
15. Work on my Muse Machine
16. Create a time capsule for 2023—we talked about this concept in episode 401
17. Ask folks for the names of journalists who is perhaps eager about 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. Assessment 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 excellent TV present

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

Additionally, it’s a enjoyable train to do with different folks. 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. Strive doing it with buddies, household, or co-workers. You might discover gadgets that you simply’d wish to deal with collectively.

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