Resolutions are short-lived.

The opening of a new year produces hope, optimism, and an opportunity to reset. It can also bring a lot of pressure.

If you’ve opened an email or a social media account lately, it’s likely you’ve been asked one of the following questions:

What are your goals for 2024?

What do you intend to create in 2024?

What’s your ‘word’ for 2024?

Some people relish these questions and feel more empowered having a plan. If that’s you, and these exercises work for you, please carry on.

For others, the thought of planning or committing to action for an entire year creates immense pressure.

You don’t need to plan for a year. Nor do you need absolute clarity about what you want to accomplish.

Most resolutions are forgotten after a few weeks. That’s the reason all the gyms are full in January, and then empty again in February. A year is too long a time to commit to.

Instead of creating goals, intentions, resolutions or words for 2024, commit to being more of yourself.

It’s the easiest question in the world to answer. At any given moment check in with yourself to ask how you feel.

A vision is not only a place to get to, but also a place to come from. What you do today is far more relevant than what you hope to be doing 5, 10 or 20 years from now.

On New Year’s Day I took a long walk with my girlfriend through the fresh powdery snow covering the Swiss Alps. We were surrounded by alpine skiers and children on sledges. The sun was shining. The mountains were gleaming. It felt perfect.

The rejuvenation I felt served as a great reminder to be more in my body, and to be more in every moment.

Yes, I have a list of ambitions for the year ahead. There is no rush to achieve them, and no right way to get there.

Nothing is worth achieving if it requires that I sacrifice my happiness to get there.

Who do you want to be more of? What can you do right now to feel happy?

Make that your priority for this year (as well as every other year). The ambitions you have will fall into place. You’re much more likely to accomplish when you feel happy.