This really is going to be a very simple goal-setting guide and for good reason. I want it to work for you!
What I see time and time again is people who create really complicated and random goals and have super complicated or unclear plans to achieve those goals.
Then… Guess what happens? Very little.
In my experience, people then put the goals list in a drawer never to be seen again or they get so overwhelmed, that they don’t take the action needed to achieve the goals that have been set.
So, we’re going to get super clear and super simple. Even the biggest goals can be made really simple.
ALWAYS WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN
Yep, this is where I’m starting. Always write your goals down – And remember that goals are something to work on all of the year and not just at the beginning of a New Year.
Before I get into my tips, I want to let you know that I have a fantastic monthly goal-setting planner for you to print out if you’d find that helpful.
Here’s the MONTHLY GOAL SETTING BLOG POST
And here’s the printable planner to download from my ETSY SHOP – MONTHLY GOAL SETTING GUIDE AND PLANNER
1. Start with the big picture
How do you want your ideal life to be? Or you can focus on one specific area of your life such as YOUR BUSINESS.
Get your big picture. If you need help with this, I recommend working through the How To Balance And Improve All Areas Of Life blog post post.
There’s a printable workbook version also available from my ETSY SHOP – LIFE BALANCE AND IMPROVEMENT WORKBOOK – This is great to work through every month to keep you focused.
A good place to start is to ask… What do I want my life to be like 5 years from now? This could be 10 years, 1 year. And it might change depending on the goal.
Example: One year from now, I will be at my goal weight (that’s a realistic time frame)
Example: 5 Years from now I will have a house deposit of £50,000 and an emergency fund of at least £10,000
Write your goals down and make them very clear. Then create an image in your mind (visualize) yourself having already achieved these things. This is powerful.
2. Go for SMART GOALS
- Specific – Be super clear about your goal – keep it simple
- Measurable – Make sure you can measure your progress toward the goal and make sure you will know exactly when that goal has been achieved
- Achievable – Can you actually achieve this goal?
- Realistic – Is your goal realistic?
- Time-based – Give your goal a TO ACHIEVE BY date
SMART Goal Setting EXAMPLES
Here are a couple of examples of how to write SMART GOALS.
- SMART GOAL = I will build up to run 3 miles by 5th July
- VAGUE GOAL = I will run more (Hmm, 10 seconds is more, 100 hours is more) – Nope, this is not a clear goal. Not helpful
- SMART GOAL = I will write 15 blog posts in 30 days
- VAGUE GOAL = I will write more blog posts
3. Break it down – Monthly goals
Take your big goals and break them down. Each and every month ask “What do I need to do this month in order to achieve my big goals?”
- BIG GOAL: I will save a £50,000 deposit for a house
- Monthly Goal: I will put £850 into my savings fund for my house deposit
Even the biggest of goals can be broken down into small manageable chunks. This greatly reduces overwhelm and the chance of you giving up.
Break your big goals down into monthly, weekly even daily goals
Break it down some more – Weekly and Daily Goals
Once you have your monthly goals in place and written down break them down more to create your weekly goals even daily goals.
Each and every day ask “What do I need to do today to achieve my monthly goals?”
These are the mini-goals that are consistently moving you closer to your big goals.
Goal setting examples – Breaking goals down into manageable chunks
Goal Setting Example: If your big goal is to write a book. A monthly goal might be to write 30,000 words, then the weekly goal might be to write 8,000 words. Your daily goal might be to write 1200 words.
Goal Setting Example: If you have a goal to lose weight, remember to make it specific – I will have lost 1stone by Christmas.
Your smaller goal could be… I will exercise daily every day this month and I will plan all my meals this month to ensure I stick to my healthy eating plan.
You’re looking to build little steps that will add up to ensure you are consistently moving toward achieving your goals.
4. Take Goal-Specific Action Every Day
Now, I’m not saying that you absolutely have to work on each of your goals every day but still ask the question “What do I need to do today to achieve my goals?”
Let’s say you have a goal to run a marathon. Some days your answer may be… Today is a rest day. Or today I will lay in bed and visualize completing the marathon.
I want you to be deliberate rather than randomly working on your goals. Focus on them every single day, even if that’s to say, I don’t need to work on this goal today.
I recommend that you create a general monthly, weekly, and daily action plan. But each day ask “What do I need to do today?”
This question will also help you use the law of attraction to help you take inspired action. Be open to receiving ideas to support you.
5. Review your progress daily, weekly and monthly
Get into the habit of reviewing your progress every day. At the end of each day, ask yourself, what did I do today that moved me closer to my big goals?
This habit will ensure that you’re not just setting goals and then forgetting about them and help to keep you motivated.
Your subconscious mind will start working to support you, so that when you ask “What did I do today that moved me closer to my big goals?” You’ll always have a great answer.
You’ll ALWAYS have moved closer to achieving your goals. You’ll always feel like you’re making progress.
Here’s a really useful blog post to read – HOW TO REVIEW YOUR GOAL PROGRESS (MONTHLY)
TIP: Try keeping a special goal achievements journal. Journalling in this way is a powerful way to stay motivated.
Simply write in it each day adding anything you’ve done to work on achieving your goals.
Simple Goal Setting Guide RECAP
- Start with your big goals
- Break those goals into monthly goals
- Break your monthly goals into weekly and daily goals
- TAKE THE ACTION NEEDED
- Review your progress daily, weekly and monthly
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GOAL SETTING GUIDES, PLANNERS, AND WORKBOOKS
I mentioned a couple of workbooks and planners in this post. Here are various workbooks, guides, and planners to help with goal setting and creating the life you want.
- MONTHLY GOAL SETTING GUIDE AND PLANNER
- SIMPLICITY GOAL SETTING WORKBOOK – This is super useful if you tend to get overwhelmed and distracted
- SIMPLICITY WEEK PLANNER
- BALANCE AND IMPROVE YOUR LIFE WORKBOOK – Great for gaining clarity and focus
- LAW OF ATTRACTION BUSINESS PLANNING WORKBOOK
- 3-MONTH BLOGGING BUSINESS PLAN – Guide and workbook
More Goal Setting Advice
Today’s goal-setting guide is super simple. If you’d like to read more on goal setting, here are some posts to check out.
- Yearly Goals For All Areas Of Your Life It doesn’t need to be the start of a year to apply these tips
- Goal Setting Tips
- 9 Key Reasons Why You’re Not Achieving Your Goals
- The Three Most Important Factors Of Goal Setting
- 5 Powerful things you must do after you set your goals
If you’re struggling with any aspect of your goal setting or achieving your goals, drop me a message below.
I also love to hear about your goals too. Tell me what your big goals are and what you’re doing TODAY to move you closer to those goals.
I’d really love you to share this post anywhere you can. It really helps me to reach more people who may need this help. Wendy – Your Online Life and Business Coach.
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