I know this might not be new to you, but I love setting goals! Whether they are related to fitness or health, finances, marriage, or mothering, most people are excited to create a list of goals. It can be surprising then when the year is halfway over and you can hardly remember what they were. Depressing, huh?
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We start off with such good intentions and energy, but our enthusiasm wanes as life happens. For whatever reason, we lose focus and or we feel defeated when we don’t seeing results. Or maybe we just get distracted altogether and wish we hadn’t set any goals in the first place.
Here’s the thing. While I’m a big believer in setting goals, remember that your goals are tool to HELP you grow as a person. Setting goals is not meant to frustrate or discourage you, but to encourage, inspire and motivate you to positive action.
If your goals aren’t doing that for you, then maybe you should try another approach. If you are thoughtful and intentional when you are setting your goals, then you can achieve them!
1. Be S.M.A.R.T.
You’ve probably already heard about this acronym for setting goals, but it’s so good that I had to include it! Choose a specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-bound goal. It might take a little practice at first to get used to thinking about goals in this way.
You might start with a goal to lose weight (or maybe I’m the only one – ha!). It’s not specific enough. Maybe I could change it to lose 20 pounds in 1 week. I exaggerated that one but it proves the point. That is not realistic. A good SMART goal might be to lose 10 pounds in 5 months. It’s specific enough, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-bound.
2. Not too many
It’s tempting to try and conquer the world when setting goals. Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day. In order to make good progress, don’t pick too many. Your goals are not your to-do list, so don’t feel pressured to make everything you want to do an official goal on your list.
I think 5 is generally a good number, especially if you are setting goals for a specific area of your life. If you are setting overall life goals or yearly goals, I think 10 should be your maximum. Whatever your number, remember to be realistic.
3. Write them down
There is something that happens to our goals when we take the time to write them down. It’s almost like that process solidifies them in some way. I don’t understand how that works exactly, but writing them down is important.
Once you’ve written them out, post them somewhere. Take a picture of your goals and keep it on your phone if you want reminders in numerous places!
4. Create action steps
Setting goals is fun and all, but you won’t achieve any of them if you don’t create action steps. Underneath each goal, think of 1-3 action steps that will help you reach your goal.
Let’s go back to our example: Lose 10 pounds in 5 months. This is a SMART goal, so we’re on the right track, but it isn’t going to happen until we figure out what to do to get there. This is where action steps come in.
Some possible action steps might be: 1.) Log all eating in myfitnesspal app 2.) Exercise 3 times per week 3.) Do not eat after 8pm.
Break down your goal into actions that will help you gain some traction.
5. Schedule it!
Your strategic action steps won’t happen unless you make time for them to happen. I love Google calendar, but any calendar will work. When I do use paper, I try to pick something cute, but simple like this one*.
Put those action steps on your calendar during the day/week/month. Set a date with yourself and your goals so that you will achieve them!
6. Review them
Setting goals is not a set it and forget it type of thing. There’s no auto-pilot. In order to stay motivated and keep working towards them, you must review your goals.
I like to review mine monthly, which is part of why I have posted my monthly goals here in the past. I’m not sure whether I’ll keep doing that for 2017, but I still plan to create them even if I don’t share them on the blog.
7. Tell someone
Taking the time to set goals has a certain element of accountability already, but telling someone is even better! Be selective with whom you choose to share, as some people may not react in a helpful and encouraging way.
Tell your spouse or a very close friend who you can trust. Hopefully, they will cheer for you and celebrate with you as you achieve your goals!
Since it’s always more fun to write down our goals on pretty paper, I created a FREE printable to help you get started.
It can be a lot of fun to think and dream about goals, but you must be intentional and strategic if you ever expect to achieve them. You’ve got this! I’m rooting for you!
If you feel like you need more extensive encouragement on how to set and achieve your goals, check out Crystal Paine’s 4-Week Make Over Your Year goal setting course. Her 4-week course will walk you through the goal setting process, with lots of hope and encouragement. She offers a 15-day money back guarantee, so it’s a risk-free!
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Do you like to set goals?
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