As the new year approaches, many of us start thinking about what we want to achieve, what we've done so far and how we're going to make changes or develop new habits. But there's no reason to wait for the new year. Get a head start and accomplish more than you otherwise would have in the intended 12 months. In fact, embarking on a routine of reviewing your goals, tasks and habits now will help you stay on the path to success in the new year and being happier sooner.

As we discussed in our first issue, the key to achieving goals is to set goals that are meaningful and will lead to happiness. Sounds easy, but it's one of the hardest and most important things we can do in life. Too many times you'll hear if only someone were young again, if only things had been done differently, if only this, if only that. But no matter your age or situation, it's rarely too late or impossible to make small (or big) steps towards a life that you'll find fulfilling.

It's important to remember that there isn't a general view of what's successful or what can make someone happy or content. Getting good grades in school or college isn't a sure sign of good times to come and being really good at something isn't going to automatically make you the next [insert your role model here]. Whether we like it or not, for most people, finding something you're really good at and enjoy is really hard, and many people never discover what it is. Others have numerous things they love doing and go from one career to the next with varying levels of success, while others miss out altogether on some of their interests or passions because their day job, possibly an unsuitable one, doesn't afford them the time to explore their passions more.

Some feel discouraged by their start in life, believing only those born with that silver spoon are presented with opportunities to succeed. Indeed, they may have more opportunities or luck, but potential and ability is not determined by family funds, the path may just be more complex, which may make it even more satisfying when you've gotten to where you want to be.

some personal time and an imagination may be all you need to get started

Whatever your circumstances, the only way to know what it is that makes you tick is to research and experiment. This doesn't mean you need to jump out of a plane, but it does mean you need to be willing to try new things, even if it's just once or twice. Unless it's something you really can't imagine doing, you'll never know until you give something a shot.

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to discover meaningful goals is to set aside some "me time". Depending on location, finances or age, it may be challenging to do some serious soul-searching, so the purpose of having quality personal time is to let your imagination loose on Google. Hence it being an exploratory approach. You imagine any number of things you might enjoy, then break it down to the nitty gritty details that will either encourage or break the dream. The details are in articles, interviews, blogs or college programs. Go in-depth by reading more into the assessments or getting your hands on course textbooks.

Dare to ask questions. If you find a blog or LinkedIn profile, send them a friendly message. You'll find people are often happy to share experiences, give advice or point you in the right direction. Ask the hard questions, for example, "Is there anything that you really dislike?", "Do you think it would/would not suit someone in particular?" and so on. Of course, you'll receive a better response if you research thoroughly first. Read up on what it is that piques your interest, imagine yourself doing that as a hobby, as a weekend passion and as a full-time job. The ultimate test is to imagine you're much older, 40, 50, 80 – do you still like what you see? Is there anything the older you regrets not having tried or accomplished? And so the exercise repeats until you're pretty sure you're on the right track.

Naturally, the exercise shouldn't start and stop at your laptop, but this process is one of the easiest ways to explore and visualize hobbies and careers that whet your appetite often before spending a cent or a lot of time and effort into something you find out you don't like after you've completed a degree and hit week three on the job.

Taking an exploratory approach to identifying the goals that are most likely to make you happy allows you to dream in privacy whilst being realistic about their suitability, increasing the probability of success and fulfillment.