New Year Goal Mapping

Liam Hughes, founder of Biggerplate, leads a structured end-of-year goal-setting session focused on reviewing 2025 and intentionally shaping the year ahead. Using mind mapping as the core thinking framework, he guides participants through reflection, sense-making, prioritisation, and the translation of insight into realistic, measurable goals. The emphasis is on clarity, balance, and sustainability rather than rushed resolutions. Key Themes Timestamps: [0:00] Session opening and framing Sets expectations for a reflective, practical goal-setting session positioned as an alternative to traditional New Year resolutions. [2:10] Context and timing of reflection Explains why the end-of-year period is uniquely valuable for slowing down, reviewing properly, and avoiding reactive planning. [4:05] Purpose of reviewing before goal setting Clarifies that reviewing the year just ended is essential to avoid repeating patterns and to ground goals in lived experience. [7:20] How to approach reflection constructively Encourages curiosity and learning rather than judgement, framing reflection as information gathering, not self-criticism. [10:15] Structuring a year review with mind maps Introduces mind mapping as a way to hold multiple perspectives, time periods, and life areas without oversimplification. [13:40] Using life domains to surface patterns Demonstrates reviewing across domains (such as work, health, relationships, learning, finances) to identify imbalance or neglect. [18:55] Overcoming recency bias Shows how calendars, photos, notes, messages, and artefacts help reconstruct the whole year rather than just recent months. [25:30] Identifying themes and signals Explains how clustering similar experiences reveals deeper themes that matter more than isolated wins or failures. [32:10] From reflection to intention Introduces intention-setting as a bridge between review and goals, capturing directional change rather than immediate targets. [38:45] Shaping clear, constrained goals Demonstrates narrowing focus to a small number of meaningful goals to avoid dilution and cognitive overload. [47:20] Defining measurable progress Explains how to clarify “measured by what?” so goals become observable, reviewable, and adaptable through the year. [58:10] Maintaining visibility and momentum Closes by showing how to keep the map active throughout the year as a living reference, not a forgotten planning artefact. Featuring: MindManager