So many people struggle with not only setting life goals but achieving them. Many lack the general step-by-step goal-setting knowledge and it’s not your fault if you are one of those people. There’s a science to setting goals and it takes practice to get good at setting GOOD, SMART goals. I’ve created this blog post to make setting and meeting life goals easy for you. This post is easy-to-digest and it walks you through the process in the most simple way.
If you are still struggling after this post, feel free to book one of my services so that I can help you! Whether it be a pick my brain call or a goal-digging consultation, we can get really clear on what it is that you need to help you win! I’ve included the booking information at the end of this blog post. Otherwise, let’s go goal-digging and get into this post!
Make a list of your life goals
What is the bigger picture? Where are you headed? What are your dreams and ambitions? What are the final goal destinations you want to reach in your life? What are the main things you’d like to accomplish in life? This is the first step to achieving life goals – knowing what your life goals are. Some refer to them as ‘goal destinations,’ so if you write down a life goal that is actually a stepping stone to another goal – then it isn’t a life goal. These goals should be concrete endpoints or destinations.
A few examples of life goals include:
- Owning your own studio/event space
- Visiting every state in the U.S.
- Learning a new language
Think about time
Think about the time frame in which you want to accomplish each goal. Some may be within the next year, 5 years, 10-15 years, or 20 years. Think about the relevance of the goal as it relates to your age and whether or not you consider it a short term or long-term goal.
For example, a short-term life goal could be learning a new language within the next 2 years. However, a long-term life goal could be to be debt-free within the next 15 years.
Get more clear on what you need
Take your life goals and create a new section for each. Clearly write out what it will take for you to accomplish each life goal. If there were any stepping stone goals you removed from your life goal list, you can probably add them in here. Do you need to acquire a new skill? take a course? change majors? change jobs or careers? Get really clear about what you need, that you don’t have, that will help you achieve this goal.
For example, if you want to learn a new language you probably need to take a course, purchase a course, download an app, or get a tutor. If you want to lose weight, you may need a trainer, nutritionist, or gym membership. If you want to be debt-free you may need a financial planner or budgeting system.
Now, what will it take? And how long will it take you?
This is where you create your step-by-step guide to achieving the life goal. What do you need to do to reach the goal? Does it make you uncomfortable? Write it down anyways. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. This is the list you refer to when checking on the progress towards your goals. How long will it take each step? What realistic time frame are you giving yourself to walk through steps that lead you towards achieving your life goal?
For example, if want to lose 10lbs, you may need to lose 2lbs per week by eliminating processed and sugary foods from your diet. If you need to learn a new language you may need to dedicate 30 minutes per day to a language course/class. If you want to be debt-free you may need to cut down on monthly expenses in one area of your life to increase your debt payments in another area of your life over a dedicated period of time.
To-Do List: this week, this month, this year
You’ve got your plan, now make it real. What will you do everyday, every week, every month to ensure you reach this goal? This is truly an extension to the last step to help you get even more clear on time frame, needs, and goal tracking.
This is where you set dates and put your deadlines into a calendar, planner, or whatever you use to keep up with tasks/projects. Do you need to set an alarm to study a new language everyday? Do you need to create a time block to study your new language every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 12-1pm? Do you need to dedicate time in your calendar to workout? Do it!
This is a part of the process that a lot of people miss when it comes to achieving goals – both short term and long-term. Many people write the goal, some people detail how they’ll accomplish the goal, but very few create an actionable plan to get to the goal destination.
Take action and review your progress
Now, you take action. Implement the plan you’ve created for yourself. Build discipline and remain consistent so that you can truly see the outcome of your hard work. Take time to review your progress. Create a review timeline – it can be at the end of each week, month, or quarter. I recommend not going any longer than that because oftentimes that’s when you forget about the goal and action plan you created to reach the goal.
Happy Goal Digging, goal diggers!
A full example:
Goal destination: I want to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.
I will focus on my eating habits to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.
I will spend June focusing on cutting down my junk food and processed food intake.
In July, I will only eat home-prepared meals with nutritionally balanced plates.
By August, I will have only whole foods in my pantry and refrigerator.
In September, I will get a nutritionist to set a meal plan based on my goals.
By October, 80% of my diet will consist of organic, whole, and healthy foods so that I can lose 1-2 lbs per week for a total of 20 weeks.
Goal Digging Strategy Consultations
Consultation Phone Call: Don’t know if I’d be a good fit for you and your goals? Let’s hop on a call and talk about it. This service is free of charge!
Pick My Brain Call: How do I start influencing? What kind of blog should I start? Should I be a blogger or influencer? How do I start creating content? When should I launch my business? Should I go back to school? What do you think about my ideas? Can you give me content ideas? If you simply want to pick my brain while I let my thoughts flow and give you valuable feedback, this is the call for you! This service is $25 for every 30 minutes. Most calls only last 30 minutes!
Goal Digging Strategy Call: Here is where we dive deep into your goal-digging needs. Whether we are revising old goals, creating new ones, or building out your individual development plan, this is where the work gets done! Can’t find your passion? This call is for you. Are you not growing personally or professionally? This call is for you! This service is $40 for 40 minutes or $50 for 60 minutes.
Within 24 hours of booking your appointment, you will receive an email with payment and intake information.
