Chapter 1: Understanding the Concept

Creating a "23 for 2023" checklist isn't just another serious list of goals or resolutions. Since 2019, I’ve been developing my own version of these 'sorta goals'—essentially a reflection of what I want to accomplish throughout the year. The purpose of this exercise is to emphasize what truly matters to you and to facilitate meaningful changes in your life.

The list can range from specific objectives to more general aspirations, giving you the freedom to tailor it to your preferences. Gretchen Rubin, a renowned author and speaker focused on happiness, popularized this idea with her “23 for 2023” list. This checklist consists of 23 activities or goals that she encourages individuals to pursue in 2023 to enhance their lives. The title adapts each year, as seen in "22 for 2022."

Whether it’s a significant milestone like purchasing a home or a simple pleasure such as finally dining at that restaurant you’ve noticed for months, the possibilities are endless. Personally, I like to be very detailed and ensure my list is enjoyable! I’ll share my own list later in this article.

Section 1.1: How to Create Your Own List

To start your checklist, title a page “23 for 2023.” I also recommend selecting a word that resonates with you for the year. Your items can vary greatly—ranging from straightforward tasks to challenging goals, travel destinations, or purchases. Reflect on what you desire from the upcoming year.

As you compile your list, consider the following:

• Identify What Matters: Reflect on your core values and what you hope to achieve in the next year.
• Set Measurable Goals: Aim for specific, attainable targets.
• Prioritize: Determine which goals will have the most significant impact on your life and focus on those.
• Break It Down: Decompose larger goals into smaller, actionable tasks, and set deadlines if that helps you stay on track.
• Stay Flexible: Be open to refining your list as circumstances change throughout the year.
• Share for Support: Consider sharing your list with friends or family for additional motivation and accountability.

I’m learning to embrace vulnerability in my online writing, and sharing my personal list for 2023 feels a bit daunting. Yet, I hope it inspires someone else to create their own list and find joy in the process.

Subsection 1.1.1: My 23 for 2023 List

Word for 2023: Clarity

• Cultivate indoor herbs and lettuce in my hydroponic garden
• Develop a nutritious recipe program
• Generate $3500 through my side business, Wellness Lovely
• Re-establish a daily Ziva meditation and manifesting practice
• Release elements that hinder my growth, both personally and professionally
• Focus on financial wellness for my future
• Double my 401k contributions and enhance monthly savings by 25%
• Maintain consistent engagement on social media to grow my audience
• Publish 100 articles on Medium
• Revamp my website
• Explore 10 new towns in New York
• Attend local group events for networking in health and wellness
• Expand my knowledge on hormone health by completing my enrolled course (Girls Gone Strong)
• Reinstate meal prep and design weekly menus to post in my kitchen
• Plan trips to Nashville, Colorado (to visit my daughter), and Florida (to see my other daughter)
• Generate additional income through reselling and print-on-demand
• Acquire shelving for meaningful collectibles in my home
• Co-host a workshop with my friend Claudia on healthy food alternatives
• Begin regular facial exfoliation and hair treatments
• Alternate reading business books with novels
• Study "The Food Lab" and apply learned skills in practice

Once you finalize your checklist, consider printing it out and placing it in a visible spot for regular reference. Review it monthly or quarterly, and at year-end, check off what you’ve accomplished. Personally, I find great satisfaction in reflecting on my list at the year's conclusion. Even if I don't complete everything, I simply carry over unfinished tasks to the next year's list.

Chapter 2: Inspiration and Resources

The first video titled "459: We Review Our '23 in 23 Lists' to See What We Accomplished—and What We Didn't" offers insights into the accountability and reflection process behind these lists, encouraging viewers to assess their goals.

The second video, "PRODUCTIVITY MOTIVATION: A Proven Method for How to Get Things Done When You Don't Feel Like It," provides practical strategies for maintaining motivation, especially when enthusiasm wanes.

For a template to create your own “23 for 2023” checklist, check out Gretchen's resources here!

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