Welcome the New Year With Purpose

Goals Add Inspiration to Your Retirement

There’s something special about turning the page on a new year. It’s a moment filled with possibility — a chance to reset, refocus, and rediscover what brings meaning to each day. Whether you’re looking to try something new or stay connected in fresh ways it’s an ideal time to reflect on who you are now and who you want to become.

 

Widely regarded as one of the best retirement community options in Utah, Summit Vista is home to residents choosing new passions to chase and supporting one another in becoming their healthiest, happiest selves.

 

Personal growth doesn’t slow down in retirement. In many ways, it becomes more intentional and aligned with the life you choose to lead. For older adults living active lives, senior goal setting can make the months ahead especially fulfilling.

 

The Benefits of Setting Goals

 

Goal setting is more than writing resolutions. It’s choosing meaningful priorities and creating a plan to achieve them. A 2023 national survey found that nearly 70% of adults ages 60+ set at least one major personal goal each year — and most say it helps them feel more connected to what matters most:

 

• A stronger sense of purpose
• Greater daily motivation
• Increased confidence and independence
• Improved emotional and physical wellness

 

That’s the heart of personal growth for older adults: staying curious, staying active, and continuing to invest in yourself.

 

How the Right Goals Strengthen Your Confidence and Independence

 

To help support every dimension of our residents’ lives and goals, we’ve developed programs and services based around five pillars of wellness:

 

• Physical Fitness
  • Group classes, a modern fitness center, walking trails, and personal training
• Nutrition
  • Fresh dining options that support long-term health
• Mental Enrichment
  •  Brain games, continued learning, lectures, and clubs
• Emotional & Social Engagement
  • Friendships, events, committees, and shared experiences
• Preventive Health
  • Access to screenings, health resources and wellness coaching

 

Each pillar works hand in hand with your personal goals, giving you the environment and encouragement to pursue the lifestyle you want.

 

What the Research Shows About Goals and Healthy Aging

 

Decades of research confirm that intentional goal setting plays a meaningful role in healthy aging:

 

• Healthier Daily Habits: Mather Institute’s Age Well Study found that older adults who set personalized goals increased their physical activity, social engagement, and mental wellbeing.
• Better Emotional Health: Research from the Stanford Center on Longevity links forward-looking goals with higher daily happiness, more optimism, and reduced loneliness.
• Improved Cognitive Function: Studies in The Journals of Gerontology show that mentally active, goal-driven older adults demonstrate slower cognitive decline and stronger executive function.
• Enhanced Physical Wellness: A 2025 review in Age and Ageing found that seniors who use structured motivation and goal-setting techniques are more likely to maintain long-term physical activity.
• Greater Purpose & Longevity: Research in Psychosomatic Medicine connects meaningful personal goals with lower risk of chronic illness, reduced disability, and improved longevity.
• Maintained Independence: A 2024 review in Innovation in Aging found that goalsetting interventions help older adults preserve functional ability and remain socially active.

 

Together, these studies provide evidence that goal-setting is more than motivational — it’s one of the most effective ways for older adults to stay engaged, independent, and thriving.

 

How to Avoid Real-Life Roadblocks

 

Even with motivation, it’s normal to encounter obstacles. You may find yourself detoured from your goal by:

 

• Health or mobility changes
• Shifts in routine or caregiving responsibilities
• Loss of motivation
• Feeling unsure where to start

 

The key is setting goals that fit your lifestyle today — and adjusting as needed. Our residents form a community, surrounding each other to support, encourage, and celebrate each step forward.

 

Finding the Goals That Light Up Your Life

 

Not sure where to begin? Research in healthy aging points to five goal areas as the most common and most rewarding places to start:

 

1. Physical Wellness & Healthy Living

 

Retirement doesn’t mean a lack of activity. Your goals can find you:

 

• Joining a group class
• Improving flexibility or balance
• Adding strength training
• Adopting a heart-healthy or Mediterranean-style diet

 

Summit Vista’s resort-style senior living environment makes it easy to stay active and strong. Related amenities include a modern fitness center, an Aquatic Center, walking groups, wellness classes, and flexible senior dining options.

 

2. Lifelong Learning for Seniors

 

Mental stimulation energizes the mind and keeps days interesting. Popular goals include:

 

• Learning a new language
• Exploring arts or woodworking
• Joining a book club or discussion group
• Taking a class or workshop

 

Our clubs, art studios, gardening groups, and educational programs are all part of our many amenities — each one an open door to endless personal discovery.

 

3. Social Connections in Retirement

 

Just like physical wellness, setting goals for social connection is vital for emotional health:

 

• Meeting new friends
• Spending more time with family
• Joining clubs or committees
• Volunteering or giving back

 

Our lively, pet-friendly senior community makes connecting with other residents an easy and joyful experience.

 

4. Travel & Adventure

 

Travel goals support improved brain health and reduced stress. And Utah offers incredible opportunities for exploration:

 

• National parks and scenic byways
• Historic sites
• Cultural festivals
• Outdoor adventures

 

For many retirees, this is the perfect season to check off bucket-list destinations or revisit places filled with meaning.

 

5. Personal Enrichment

 

These goals help nurture emotional balance, self-expression, and emotional well-being. Many seniors choose to:

 

• Deepen spiritual practices
• Start a creative project
• Rediscover a long-loved hobby
• Simplify or refresh their home environment
• Document family stories or memories

 

Summit Vista is designed to support residents in each of these areas — all within a maintenance-free lifestyle that lets you focus on what inspires you most.

 

Your SMART Roadmap for Making Goals Happen

 

Many older adults find the SMART framework a helpful method in setting their goals. You set goals for yourself that are:

 

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound

 

SMART goals bring clarity and structure to the things you want to accomplish. Let’s explore how to use this framework.

 

Step 1: Reflect on What Matters Most

 

Meaningful goals begin with meaningful reflection. Ask yourself:

 

• What brings me joy right now?
• What have I always wanted to learn or revisit?
• Where do I want more connection, purpose, or ease in my life?

Reflection turns ideas into direction and helps ensure your goals truly support the life you’re building.

 

Step 2: Set SMART Goals in Key Areas of Life

 

Here are examples tailored for seniors. Try saying a few out loud and see how they feel for you!

 

Physical Wellness: “I will walk 20 minutes, four days a week, for the next two months.”

 

Learning & Skills: “I will learn basic watercolor techniques by taking two classes this winter.”

 

Social Engagement: “I will join one new club by March.”

 

Starting small keeps success within reach.

 

Step 3: Build Your Support System

 

Accountability makes progress easier. Lean on friends, family, or Summit Vista neighbors for encouragement in:

 

• Joining a fitness or walking group
• Asking a friend to check in on your progress
• Checking in weekly with someone who shares a similar goal

 

The more support you have, the more likely you are to stay committed.

 

Step 4: Track Progress and Embrace Flexibility

 

Goal setting is not a straight line. Celebrate the wins — big or small. And revisit your goals regularly, to ask:

 

• What’s working well?
• Where do I need more support?
• Do I want to adjust my goal?

 

As life changes your goals can change with it. Stay flexibile, to keep the process positive and empowering.

 

Begin the Year With Support, Confidence, and Community

 

The new year is a promise — a reminder that growth, joy, and fulfillment are always within reach. With intention, reflection, and the right support, older adults can achieve meaningful personal growth at any stage of life.

 

Your goals deserve a place to grow. Summit Vista’s vibrant lifestyle, welcoming neighbors, and rich amenities make it easier to stay active, stay inspired, and stay connected — all within a maintenance-free Life Plan Community designed for long-term independence.

 

If you’re exploring senior living options, we’re here to help you compare independent living vs. assisted living, understand the cost of senior living, and learn what levels of care are available at Summit Vista.

Contact us today to schedule a tour, meet our residents, and discover how we can help you achieve your goals in the new year.