As we enter a new year and start naming the goals we want to achieve, there’s one that often gets overlooked—giving.
For me, giving isn’t an afterthought or a “nice if there’s time” activity. It’s actually one of the first lenses I use when setting goals.
When I’m planning the year ahead, I don’t just ask:
- What do I want to accomplish?
- What do I want to build or grow?
I also ask: What do I want to give?
How Giving Shapes My Goals (Not the Other Way Around)
As a business owner, I think early—sometimes before I finalize revenue or growth targets—about how much I want to donate by the end of the year. That number matters. It’s not symbolic. It’s intentional.
And giving, for me, goes beyond writing a check.
Because I value social responsibility—both individually and corporately—I look at:
- Monetary donations
- Time
- Talent
What causes matter enough for me to show up consistently? Where can my skills create impact, not just activity?
Once I make those commitments, something powerful happens: they begin to shape how I structure my days, weeks, and months. My calendar reflects my values. My priorities become clearer. And my energy is better protected.
“You Have to Say No to Make Room for Yes”
After I decide what I’m giving to, I live by a mantra that has saved me from burnout more times than I can count:
You have to say no to make room for yes.
This simple phrase becomes a boundary-setting tool. It helps me avoid overcommitment and keeps me from filling my calendar with things that dilute my impact instead of deepening it. (More on that in another article—because yes, boundaries deserve their own spotlight.)
Giving clarity to what matters most makes it easier to say no without guilt—and yes without resentment.
Why Giving Is a Powerful Motivator
Here’s something I’ve learned along the way: focusing on what you want to give can be one of the strongest motivators there is.
When your goals are connected to people, causes, and communities beyond yourself:
- Hustle feels more purposeful
- Discipline feels more meaningful
- Progress feels shared
Research backs this up. A study highlighted by Harvard Business Review found that generosity and purpose-driven work increase motivation, engagement, and long-term satisfaction—especially among leaders and entrepreneurs. Giving doesn’t distract from success; it often fuels it.
A Question for You (And a Story I’d Love You to Add)
As you think about this year, I invite you to reflect on this:
What do you want to give—before you decide what you want to get?
And here’s where I’d love to deepen this conversation with your voice and lived experience:
👉 What is one personal example where giving—time, talent, or resources—directly influenced how you set goals or made decisions in your career or life?
Was it a season where generosity clarified your focus? Or a moment where saying “yes” to a cause required saying “no” elsewhere?
That story matters—and it might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
