The start of a new year always feels like a breath of fresh air. Crisp and clean, with endless possibilities stretching ahead. It’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and set new goals.
But here’s the thing—while many people dive headfirst into ambitious resolutions in January, most of those grand plans fade by February. Why? Because they’re often built on a “go big or go home” mindset.
In the Nordics, the approach is different. It’s not about big leaps but steady, sustainable progress. It’s about setting goals that fit into your life and lead to real, long-term growth.
Let me share a story that captures this idea.
The Overachiever’s Trap
Last January, I was coaching a leader, let’s call her Anna, who had recently relocated to Denmark. Anna was ambitious, driven, and loved setting bold goals. She prided herself on her ability to achieve them, often through sheer willpower and long hours.
When we met, she laid out her goals for the year. “I want to grow the team by 50%, launch two new projects, and improve my work-life balance.”
I paused. “How do these fit in your strategy? And how do you plan to prioritize these different areas?”
Anna shrugged. “I’ll figure it out as I go.”
Fast forward three months, and Anna was overwhelmed. Her workload had doubled, and her ambitious goals were weighing her down. Despite working harder than ever, she felt like she was falling short.
That’s when we tried a different way of setting goals—a more Nordic-inspired approach.
The Nordic Way: Balance, Progress, and Reflection
In Denmark, goal setting reflects a culture of realism and balance. Goals aren’t about extreme transformations or overnight success. They’re about steady progress, designed to be sustainable.
I explained to Anna that instead of aiming for everything at once, she needed to focus on fewer, more meaningful goals. Goals that wouldn’t leave her burnt out by spring.
Together, we worked through three key principles that Nordic professionals often use when setting goals:
- Start with What Matters Most
In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise—trying to do more, achieve more, and be more. But meaningful goals aren’t about doing everything; they’re about doing what matters.
I asked Anna, “If you could only achieve one thing this year, what would it be?”
She thought for a moment. “I’d want to launch that new project successfully. It’s what excites me most.”
By focusing on what truly mattered, Anna was able to simplify her list of goals and channel her energy where it counted.
If you’re setting goals this year, start by asking yourself: What matters most to me? What will make the biggest impact on my life or work?
- Focus on Sustainable Progress
Nordic cultures value consistency over intensity. Goals aren’t about dramatic changes—they’re about steady, incremental improvements.
When Anna said she wanted to improve her work-life balance, we didn’t set a lofty goal like “no overtime.” Instead, we broke it down. We focused on small, sustainable changes:
- Blocking off time for lunch breaks.
- Leaving work on time twice a week.
- Scheduling one day each month to disconnect entirely.
These small steps made a huge difference. They were manageable, achievable, and over time, they added up.
If you want to achieve your goals this year, focus on progress, not perfection. Ask yourself: What small change can I make today that will move me closer to my goal?
- Reflect and Adjust Regularly
In Nordic workplaces, reflection is part of the process. Goals aren’t set in stone; they’re adjusted as you learn and grow.
Anna and I scheduled monthly check-ins to review her progress. We asked simple but powerful questions:
- What’s working?
- What’s not?
- What do you need to adjust?
This practice helped Anna stay on track without feeling stuck or frustrated. If something wasn’t working, we changed it. No guilt, no pressure—just learning and adapting.
You can do the same. Set aside time each month to reflect on your goals. Are they still relevant? Are you making progress? What can you do differently to stay motivated?
Long-Term Vision Over Short-Term Wins
By the end of the year, Anna had achieved more than she expected—not by working harder, but by working smarter. She launched her project, built a stronger team, and found a rhythm that allowed her to maintain her well-being.
She didn’t chase short-term wins or burn herself out trying to do everything. Instead, she embraced a long-term vision and made steady progress toward it.
That’s the beauty of the Nordic approach to goal setting. It’s not about chasing big, flashy resolutions. It’s about making meaningful progress, one step at a time.
Your Turn
As you step into this new year, take a moment to reflect. What matters most to you? What small, sustainable changes can you make? How will you track your progress and adjust along the way?
You don’t need to set grand resolutions to create real change. You just need to start—small, steady, and with a clear purpose.
And if you want to dive deeper into goal setting or explore how to apply these principles in your own life or team, I’d love to connect. Remember, the journey to achieving your goals isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. And with the right mindset, it can be one of the most rewarding journeys you’ll ever take.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a year of meaningful progress!
