Let's Talk Goals

When you think about what’s actually on your task list and what you say your goals are, how closely do the two align?

Sometimes we get so muddled with the things that have to get done (feeding, sleeping, going to work, getting ready to go to work), that we desperately desire time where we aren’t doing the have-tos. Instead, our rebellious selves cry out for a break from being the adult and we spend time surfing the web, scrolling through our Facebook feed, or mindlessly watching TV/binging on Netflix. I’m a fan of these activities, in controlled amounts, but these activities are not productive, not soul fulfilling and basically leave us feeling lost, frustrated or upset with ourselves if done in excess and with extreme frequency.

That’s why having a list of goals coupled  with a to-do list that reflects those goals and your progression towards them will change your life. You’ll be able to focus on the things that matter and arrange things so that you know when it’s okay to take those breaks and when you really need to buckle down and push through just a little more.

So, how do you know what your goals should be?

One way to look at goals is in categories. Grouping things helps organize them in our brains AND helps us feel like we’ve got all the bases covered. In order to truly feel balanced, I suggest setting at least one goal in each of the following areas (The exception would be the business category if that does not apply to you):

Spiritual
Physical
Social
Financial
Mental
Business

If you’ve never set goals before, let’s talk about a few pointers.

First, set realistic goals. Aim high, but make sure that the realizing of the goal does not depend on other people completing tasks in order for your dream to be realized.

Second, be specific. Write down the exact $ amount or the exact number you want the scale to read.

Third, set a date. Make sure that you’re including the date of reaching your goal.

Fourth, write them down. Writing down your goals has power. Plus, you can reread them often and remember the direction you want to go.

Fifth, write in 1^st person. “I” goals help focus your brain on the core of your dream.  

When you take the time to write out goals, things instantly become a little clearer on where you want to spend your time. Having goals and a directed purpose helps us figure out what things are truly important and helps us figure out the next steps to take.

Let’s write out a goal: I will lose 15 pounds by August 4, 2016.

If you have a goal of losing 15 pounds, how do you make that a reality?

Let’s break this down into smaller pieces. First, you might make a task of doing a little research on losing weight in healthy ways. Set this for a day where you can spend some time surfing the internet. From there  you would choose the resources you want to utilize: gym or exercise group, fitness tracker (fitbit or a pedometer), tracking apps for food and water journal, sleep tracker, etc. Next, you would take each of the resources you wanted to utilize and make them tasks.

For instance, say you wanted to use a food journal, but you’ve tried this before and it was really hard to continue after day 10. You would put tasks in your rotating planner: 1) read your goals/visualize that new outfit you are going to look great in (everyday in the morning); 2) reminder to exercise (either task or blocked out on your calendar); 3) track food, exercise, water, and sleep in the app you downloaded on a daily basis (everyday reminder); 4) plan a reward activity or item on a weekly basis for sticking to your goals (daily, every few days or weekly).

Here’s the thing about rotating planners – you don’t have to try to remember these things. The planner reminds you of the small tasks you want to take each day to achieve your bigger goals, and all you had to do was set up the tasks once. With your goals broken down into smaller pieces, you are on your way to reaching your goals, using your time to get the most out of your day, and there’s no guilt when you forget your focus – your list keeps it in front of your face and does the brain work of remembering for you. 

Go write a few goals and feel yourself taking back the control.
Happy Goal Writing!