New Year’s Resolutions as a Bingo Board: Make Your Goals Fun and Attainable

Every January 1st, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions with the hope of turning a new leaf. However, as the year progresses, those resolutions can feel more like a daunting checklist rather than a fun opportunity for self-improvement. But what if we turned the idea of New Year’s resolutions into a game? Enter the Bingo Board of Resolutions! It’s a fun, creative twist on traditional goal-setting that can help you feel more engaged and motivated to achieve your dreams. 

Let’s explore how transforming your New Year’s resolutions into a bingo board can make goal-setting feel like a game, not a chore. We’ll also share a few other tips for making your goals more attainable so that you can happily check off bingo boxes throughout the year.

The Bingo Board Approach to Resolutions

Instead of writing down a long list of resolutions that might leave you feeling overwhelmed, create a Bingo Board! Just like the traditional game, the goal is to fill in the squares as you accomplish each resolution. A bingo board can be a great way to break down big, intimidating goals into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Here’s how you can create your own Resolutions Bingo Board:

1. Create a 5×5 Grid: The board consists of 25 squares (feel free to adjust if you prefer fewer squares or a different shape). This allows you to set multiple goals for the year, without having to commit to one huge task.

2. Fill in the Squares with Resolutions: Think about the areas of your life you want to focus on, like health, career, relationships, personal development, and fun. Place specific resolutions or actions into each square. The key is to make each square actionable and specific, but not overwhelming.

Examples:

• Visit a new city
• Read 10 books this year
• Try 5 new recipes
• Try a new hobby or skill
• Meditate for 5 minutes daily

3. Check Off the Squares: As you complete a resolution, mark it off on your bingo board. Once you get a full row, column, or diagonal, it’s time for a prize! You can reward yourself for each mini-bingo, or when you fill the entire board. This will keep you motivated and feeling accomplished.  

Don’t want to draw your own card? There are lots of free, printable versions online. 

Why the Bingo Board Works:

Making resolutions into a game helps turn them from something you have to do into something you want to do. Here’s why this method works:

Fun and Motivation: The competitive nature of a bingo board makes goal completion more exciting. It’s no longer about checking off a dull to-do list; it’s about having fun while working toward your goals.

Small Wins Add Up: The satisfaction of ticking off individual boxes can boost your confidence and sense of accomplishment. When you complete a goal (even a small one!) you get a positive feedback loop that keeps you motivated.

Focus and Clarity: A bingo board forces you to be clear about your goals. It requires you to think about what you truly want to accomplish and distill those aspirations into concrete, achievable tasks.

Making Your Goals More Attainable

Now that you’ve set your resolutions in a fun, game-like format, it’s time to focus on ensuring that you achieve them. Here are some other strategies to make your goals more attainable:

Break Down Big Goals Into Smaller Steps: Large, vague goals can be intimidating. Instead of resolving to “get fit,” set specific milestones like “exercise 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week” or “try one new workout class every month.” Breaking your goals down into smaller, actionable steps makes them less overwhelming and gives you clear steps to follow.

Set SMART Goals: Make your resolutions Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For instance, instead of saying, “I want to be healthier,” commit to “I will eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day for the next month.” This makes your goals more realistic and easier to track.

Accountability and Social Support: Sharing your goals with a friend, family member, or online group can help keep you on track. For example, you can create a friendly bingo competition with others or check in with each other regularly to keep the energy high.

Celebrate Milestones: As you make progress, celebrate your wins! Whether it’s completing a single square on your bingo board or hitting a larger goal, positive reinforcement helps solidify the habits you’re trying to create and makes your journey more rewarding.

Be Kind to Yourself: Sometimes, life happens and we fall short of our resolutions. Instead of giving up entirely, reframe your setbacks as learning opportunities. Allow yourself to reset and approach your goals with renewed focus and energy. Perfection isn’t the goal; progress is!

If you choose to make New Year’s resolutions, they don’t have to feel like a burden! By transforming them into a bingo board you add an element of fun and achievement to the process. Breaking down large goals into manageable tasks will make checking off bingo boxes much more attainable. As you do, the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment will keep you engaged.  Plus, with a few extra strategies for making your goals more attainable, you’ll set yourself up for success and be more likely to accomplish what you set out to do in the new year. So grab a pencil and turn 2025 into a year of growth, fun, and accomplishment, one square at a time!