In Lavendaire's vlog "2023 Goals: New Year Planning & Goal Setting," Aileen Xu emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the past year to inform goal setting. She encourages setting clear intentions rather than vague goals, using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure attainability. Aileen advises breaking larger goals into smaller tasks to maintain motivation and suggests creating a vision board to visualize aspirations. Regular check-ins are recommended to assess progress and make necessary adjustments, while staying flexible allows for new opportunities. These strategies promote intentionality and adaptability for a successful year ahead.