Setting resolutions or goals for the new year is not only a fun tradition, it’s also a great way to do a complete mental reboot and start the year with a fresh new outlook and tons of enthusiasm.

But: What if you are also trying to make an effort to Iive a slower, more intentional life and live in the moment, rather than always chasing something and waiting for some point in the future? Isn’t the act of setting goals a little counterproductive in that case? Yes and No.

Yes, because you definitely want to avoid becoming trapped in that oh-so common cycle of chasing goal after goal, of never really feeling content and essentially delaying “real” life until you have achieved X, Y, Z.

No, because it doesn’t have to be that way. For aspiring minimalists, the trick is to see your goals not as a rigid system of rules, to-dos and self-imposed deadlines designed to make your life harder, but as an overall, happy vision that excites and motivates you on a daily basis.

And, if done right, setting goals can actually help you live a slower, more intentional life. How? By challenging you to figure out a) what makes you happy and b) how to add more of that to your life, rather than letting everything just kind of pile up and living in a reactive, passive way. And that’s what minimalism and living with intention is all about after all.

Below you’ll find my three top tips for setting (and achieving) goals as a minimalist. If you haven’t yet, take half an hour or so to review your 2014 with these questions before you start working on your goals. Becoming aware of what went well during the past year and what didn’t will help you set more meaningful goals that are truly in line with your priorities.

Goal setting strategy for minimalists

1. Choose a maximum of three goals

My recommendation: Select a maximum of three big, exciting goals to work on at a time. Limiting yourself to only a small set of goals forces you to really make sure the goals you pick are meaningful enough, and also helps you avoid spreading yourself too thinly. Remember, both your time and your will power are limited resources, so be selective about what you spend them on.

Make your three (or one, or two) goals ones that would truly make a difference to your life and that get you super excited just by thinking about them. What are the top three things that you want to achieve in 2015? What one achievement would make everything else you want easier to reach? Choose must-haves, not nice-to-haves. If you can only come up with one goal like that, that’s fine too. And: Aim high! The best goals are those that get you ridiculously excited, but also scare you a little bit. For example, if you want to get fit and currently go for a casual run a couple of times a week, don’t just aim for the 10k, shoot for a half-marathon! Only a big, truly inspiring goal will motivate you enough to move past set backs and push through difficult phases.