2022 is finally here! A time to start over and try something new!

 

As we welcome the new year, people all over the world are setting new goals to try and achieve. These goals are called resolutions. Some resolutions are big such as “I want to start a new business,” while others are small like “I am going to drink more water.” Most of these resolutions are changes to bad habits that will help improve our lives.

 

Asking about a resolution

 

A common topic of conversation during this time of year is goal setting. If you are at a party with a friend or chatting to a colleague at work, they may ask you:

 

• What is your New Year’s resolution?

¿Cuál es su propósito de Año Nuevo?

 

• Do you have any plans for the new year?

¿Tiene planes para el nuevo año?

 

• What goals have you set for yourself for the upcoming year?
• ¿Qué metas se ha fijado para el próximo año?

 

Stating your resolution

 

Creating a goal is often discussed in the future tense. This is because we want to make an improvement or change after the new year begins.

 

Below are some sentence starters you can use to respond:

 

• I would like to…
• I am going to…
• I will…
• I hope I can…
• I want to…
• I am thinking of…

 

Personalizing your resolution

 

Goals are personal and can be made about a variety of topics. Making a goal as specific as possible can help you to stay focused on achieving it. Reflect on the past year. Ask yourself what you could do better or work on. Some popular areas of improvement are:

 

• Finances
  • to save money (para ahorrar dinero)
  • to pay off debt (para pagar la deuda)
  • to build an emergency fund (para construir un fondo de emergencia)

 

• Health and Fitness
  • to lose weight (perder peso)
  • to exercise more (hacer más ejercicio)
  • to stop smoking (dejar de fumar)

 

• Relationships
  • to get married (para casarse)
  • to meet a new boyfriend/girlfriend (conocer un nuevo novio / novia)
  • to break up (romper con tu novio/novia)

 

• Travel
  • to visit a new country (visitar un nuevo país)
  • to take a road trip (hacer un viaje por carretera)
  • to move to a new place (mudarse a un nuevo lugar)

 

• Academics
  • to learn a new language (para aprender un nuevo idioma)
  • to graduate from university (graduarse de la Universidad)
  • to learn a new skill (para aprender una nueva habilidad)

 

Putting it all together

 

Take a look at the example dialogue below of two people discussing their resolutions.

 

Susan, do you have any plans for the new year?

Yes! I would like to learn to speak Spanish. I am thinking of visiting Peru. What are your plans?

I will save some money. I am going to buy my girlfriend an engagement ring and propose. I am looking forward to it!

 

Whatever your resolution, choose a goal that is meaningful to your life. Stay focused and you will be able to achieve it in no time!