Big projects list
Have a lot of aspirations for the coming year? Write down a list of all your big ideas (start and run a student club, join ITMO Megabattle, win a competition, complete a paper, etc.). Are you seeing a lengthy list? Try cutting it in half. Then cut it in half once more. The aim of this exercise is to identify your priorities and narrow your focus down to the most important things. You can revise it multiple times throughout the year – once you tick off everything from the previous list or if your priorities change.
Systems to rely on
As brought to our attention by Atomic Habits, systems are essentially a framework for breaking down your goals into smaller, regular actions. The model example is running: say, your goal is to start running every morning. Your systems will be to place your workout gear by your bed and your running shoes by the door the night before. Thinking about your grand aspirations in this way helps you see what daily adjustments you need to make to bring them closer.
Distractions
Depending on your perspective, it’s “know yourself” or “know your enemy.” Make a list of things that typically distract you from your work. Then – try and think how you will prevent them from happening or how you’ll act once you do get distracted.
Rewards or favorite activities
But we don’t have to be so negative all the time – we can also prepare for the positives! To turn your life into a game, you can think of a reward you’ll give yourself for each completed project or big task. Maybe it’s a tasty treat or a fun activity, a day trip with your friends, or even a day indoors and a movie marathon.
Year Compass
This is not just an exercise, but a whole notebook of prompts to help you reflect on the past year and plan 2026 with a new perspective on things, considering what you’ll turn to in times of need, what will be your word of the year, what you’ll leave in the past year, and what you’ll bring with you. You can complete it all or choose to do the prompts that resonate best with your needs.
Challenges
You can come up with your own or pick one already existing: Inktober, Veganuary, 75 hard, quitting coffee/sugar for a month, no-buy year, etc. It’s best to pick one that will be challenging, but not exhausting; one that would make you excited to see what new experiences you’ll get, such as if you draw every day or quit sweets, like a fun experiment. We love doing those at ITMO NEWS: from healthy eating to applying to 200 jobs in a day, we’ve done it all, so you’ll definitely find some inspiration there.
We wish you a wonderful year of planned successes and pleasant surprises ahead!
