By Charles Sosnik
Now that the holiday season has passed—whether you celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah, or both—many of us turn our attention to the new year and what it promises.
I have a deep fondness for both holidays. Stripping away the commercial trimmings, Christmas offers powerful traditions: gathering with family, sharing meaningful rituals, and embracing the season’s central message of love and forgiveness. At my stage in life, I value those family moments above all. I also admit to enjoying gift-giving—and the convenience of online shopping makes finding thoughtful presents much easier. For those of us with less mobility and more resources, a well-chosen package delivered to our door is a great blessing.
I also appreciate the spiritual message of Christmas: the idea of a compassionate guide who models love, forgiveness, and the promise of something beyond this life. “Love your neighbor as yourself” is a timeless injunction that resonates whether you view it spiritually or as practical wisdom for living well.
Hanukkah is different but equally meaningful in its own way. It commemorates a military victory that preserved a people and their traditions. The eight-day celebration recalls the story of a small supply of consecrated oil that, according to tradition, burned far longer than expected—long enough to restore regular worship. More broadly, Hanukkah marks resilience, survival, and cultural continuity. Like many Jewish holidays, the modern observance emphasizes family, shared meals, and rejoicing. As my Uncle Jerry used to say about Jewish holidays: “You messed with us. We won. Let’s eat!”
With the festivities behind us, the focus naturally shifts to New Year’s celebrations and the plans we will make for the year ahead.
For the past couple of decades I’ve made it a habit to write down my goals for the coming year—and not just the goals themselves, but a roadmap to reach them. As I get older, I’ve become more disciplined about this. Partly that’s a practical response to a weaker memory—my tongue-in-cheek diagnosis of “CRS Syndrome (Can’t Remember Sh*t)”—but mostly it’s because a written plan increases follow-through. The act of writing turns vague intentions into commitments.
Effective goals are specific, measurable, and time-bound. Vague resolutions like “be healthier” or “save more” rarely stick. Instead, define outcomes, assign timelines, and break each goal into concrete action steps and milestones. Writing these down gives you a clear path and makes it easier to track progress.
I organize goals into a few main categories—think of them like the top navigation on a website: Work, Health, Family, Finances, Personal Development. Under each heading I create sub-goals. This structure keeps priorities visible and prevents goals from bleeding into one another.
Assign a timeline for each goal, typically one year, then break it into quarters and months. For complex goals you can plan by week or even by day. Attach milestones: if your aim is to lose 60 pounds, ask where you want to be after one month, three months, and six months. For financial goals, outline monthly savings targets. For business objectives, define quarterly revenue or project milestones. The pattern is consistent: clarify the target, set a deadline, and list the actions that will get you there.
Keep your list manageable. A few well-chosen, realistic goals are better than a long wish list you’ll never complete. Challenge yourself, but be honest about what’s attainable given your time, resources, and commitments. When you miss a milestone, reassess quickly: what adjustments are needed to make the next milestone achievable? Flexibility is part of the process—move the goalposts if you need to, or accelerate them if you’re ahead.
I usually use the week between Christmas and New Year’s to draft my annual plan—quarterly, monthly, and sometimes weekly targets. Some people think it’s excessive, but this planning gives me direction and peace of mind. I always reserve the right to revise my plan when new opportunities or setbacks appear. The point is not rigidity, but intentionality.
As I reflect on the close of one year and the start of another, I ask myself: What kind of year do I want to create? What are the achievements that will matter most? Which actions will make a real difference in my life and in the lives of others?
Will I make a difference this year?
Yes. With clear goals, thoughtful milestones, and steady reassessment, I will. The method is simple: choose a few meaningful targets, map the steps, measure progress, and adjust as needed. That’s how I plan to make this coming year count.
About the author
Charles Sosnik is an education journalist and editor who serves as Editor in Chief at The Learning Counsel. An EP3 Education Fellow, he draws on deep roots in the education community to provide context and insight into the education narrative. Charles regularly writes and contributes columns to influential education outlets, including EdNews Daily, EdTech Digest and (ET) Magazine. Unabashedly Southern, Charles likes to say he is an editor by trade and Southern by the grace of God.