It is the start of a new year. Now is the time that we reflect on the highs and lows of the past twelve months. And along with that reflection comes the anticipation of all that is to come as the clock strikes midnight. The long-awaited grand finale of 2016 has arrived with a plethora of festivals, parties and celebrations to ring in the fresh start of 2017. While no one knows exactly what 2017 holds, it is exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking to think about all that the next 365 days will bring. When thinking about what will come in the next year, it is important to manifest what you want to happen.

Manifesting is focusing on the desire for a certain event or accomplishment to occur within a certain time. It is hoping and willing what you want into existence. Whether that means manifesting a better relationship with someone or that big promotion you have been working towards, focusing your energy on the ability of good things to happen brings a sense of positivity and hope to your new year. However, along with manifesting, you need to work hard to put those ideas into action. The best way to do this is to set goals for 2017.

The start of the new year is the best time to start planning all that you want to achieve in the upcoming months. Set goals for every aspect of your life that you wish to see growth and change in. Whether that means setting goals for what grades you will get in the upcoming semester or what types of experiences you want to take part in, start writing about all your hopes and desires now. Think about every detail of what you can control when working towards what you want. Write out what you want to do and how you will do it. Make lists of trips you want to take and how you will start a travel fund to get to those places. If you want to start a new hobby, research what you need to do to put it into action. Writing out what you want in the new year is the best way to both manifest it and set goals for it to happen. As soon as the ball drops and the clock strikes midnight, you will know that you are one step closer to achieving all that you hope for in the new year.

This year has taught us many things about what we have to do both for ourselves as people and for our communities as a whole. There are many new directions for us to take and many goals to set as we enter 2017. There is a quote by Rainer Maria Rilke that goes, “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” There’s a world of new possibilities out there as this year begins, let’s make it a good one.