By now, many of us are knee-deep in setting or updating goals for the new year. But too often, we overlook how goal-setting can be an opportunity to strengthen our relationships—with ourselves and those around us. Goals that foster connection, collaboration, and support are key to a meaningful year ahead, whether at home, work, or in your community.
Setting Relational Goals
“The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.” — Tony Robbins
While it’s natural to think about personal milestones—career growth, fitness, or learning new skills—it’s equally important to consider how your goals can enhance your relationships. How can your goals for 2025 help you build stronger connections with family, friends, or colleagues?
Consider:
- Family: Schedule more intentional time with loved ones—whether that’s weekly dinners, family outings, or quiet evenings free from distractions. The goal is to make time meaningful and engaging.
- Friends: Reconnect with old friends or deepen existing friendships through regular meetups or walks. Prioritize your social relationships, knowing that these bonds bring joy and support.
- Colleagues: Focus on improving communication and collaboration at work. Implement regular team check-ins or create spaces for open dialogue to strengthen professional bonds.
Incorporating relationships into your goal-setting helps you grow as an individual while strengthening the foundation of your connections, making your journey more fulfilling.
The Power of Collaborative Goals
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.
— Henry Ford
One of the best ways to stay motivated is by working on goals with others. Collaborative goals create a shared sense of purpose, making the experience more enjoyable and less overwhelming. Whether at home or work, setting goals together strengthens connection and keeps everyone moving toward a common vision.
Examples of collaborative goals:
- Health and Fitness: Start a shared fitness routine or health challenge with a friend or family member. Working together creates accountability and keeps motivation high, making it easier to achieve your goals.
- Work Projects: Launch a collaborative project where each team member plays an active role. You could focus on team building, education, or knowledge transfer using new or novel approaches that keep everyone engaged. Shared goals like this foster team spirit, mutual support, and a stronger sense of accomplishment when completed together.
- Family Traditions: Create a new family tradition where you work together on a shared goal, such as volunteering, learning a new hobby, or planning a family event. These goals not only bring the family closer but also create lasting memories. (Thanksgiving 5k Challenges abound – do it as a family team). Remember, a “family” can extend beyond your biological connections.
Collaborative goals aren’t just about personal achievement; they help build meaningful relationships, deepen connections, and create a mutual support system.
Staying True to Yourself in the Process
“To truly be in the driver’s seat, you must harness your choices and respond to life rather than react.”
— Amy Wong
As you set goals for 2025, make sure they reflect your authentic self. It’s easy to get caught up in external expectations—what others think you should do or what you believe will gain approval. True success comes from setting goals that align with who you are and what you genuinely want.
When you stay true to yourself, you’re more likely to build relationships based on authenticity rather than performance. This helps create deeper bonds, where others appreciate the real you rather than the version of yourself you think they want. Whether for personal development or professional success, embracing your authentic self allows for more meaningful connections.
Let’s Get Practical – 4 Tips to Getting Started
- Reflect on Your Relationships: Ask, “How can my goals improve the relationships that matter most to me?” Consider where you can offer support, build stronger connections, or deepen your bonds.
- Communicate Your Intentions: Share your goals with those close to you—family, friends, or coworkers. Let them know you value their input and collaboration and invite them to set shared goals with you.
- Create Accountability Partners: Having an accountability partner can increase your chances of success. Whether a friend checking in on your fitness routine or a colleague partnering on a project, sharing the journey brings added motivation and support.
- Be Flexible: Relationships evolve, and so should your goals. Be open to adjusting your goals to ensure they continue to strengthen your relationships rather than create stress. (This means your relationship with yourself.)
By incorporating these tips into your 2025 goal-setting process, you’ll achieve personal growth and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships that enrich every aspect of your life.
And… remember that the goals we set can strengthen not just ourselves, but also the relationships that sustain and support us.
What relational and collaborative goals will you set for the coming year? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Reading: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
I am a big fan of The Go-Giver Series. The first book, The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea, is both engaging and full of wisdom The Go-Giver‘s focus on generosity, collaboration, and connection speaks directly to the idea of relational goals through the experiences of a young man named Joe. The book lays out five “laws”, including the “Law of Receptivity,” reminding us that in giving, we must also be open to receiving, which ties into building relationships based on mutual support and shared progress. (FYI – I read the Go-Giver Series annually and learn something new each time.)
Podcast Resources. To dive deeper into how building authentic relationships can help you set and achieve meaningful goals, check out these episodes from the No Labels, No Limits podcast:
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- Episode 253 – Embracing Authenticity and Personal Power with Holli and Jeanna. Holli Moeini and Jeanna Hanenburg discuss the importance of showing up authentically in both personal and professional spaces. Their emphasis on building meaningful, honest connections ties into setting goals that reflect who you truly are, rather than what others expect of you. Plus, they are fun and engaging women on a mission!
- Episode 342 – Bravery Is a Skill, Build It with Nicole Steinbach. Nicole Steinbach explores how bravery—whether in setting bold goals or fostering new relationships—can be cultivated. She shares how stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to stronger connections and more meaningful accomplishments.
- Episode 261 – Always on Purpose: Personal and Professional Growth with Amy Eliza Wong. Amy Eliza Wong, founder of Always On Purpose®, shares her expertise in leadership development. She highlights the importance of self-awareness, relationships, and results for personal and professional growth, drawing from her work with companies like Airbnb and LinkedIn. She asks: “How on purpose are you in your day-to-day life?” Amy helps us set intentional, meaningful goals, personally and in collaboration with others.
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