How to Set Achievable Goals
It might be basic, but I love setting fresh goals at the beginning of each year. Sure, it’s an arbitrary timeframe and you can set goals whenever you want, but the new year feels like a natural time for us all to reset and reflect. Over time I’ve improved my method for goal setting and have seen better results in my achievements because I’m being honest and realistic with myself. After the year we’ve all had, I think going into 2021 with a positive mindset and excitement for what the coming year will bring is valuable to us all. Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting your annual goals! 💪🏻
10 Tips for Realistic Goals
1. REFLECT ON THE PAST
At the end of each year, sit down and write a stream of consciousness reflection of how the year went. If you’d set goals for yourself, how did you do? Do you feel accomplished? How was your mental health over the course of the year? Did your values, priorities, or hobbies pivot? It’s okay if you didn’t achieve everything you wanted to, the point here isn’t to roast yourself because you didn’t work out every day or because you got too much takeout or didn’t pick up that new hobby, it’s just to see where you’re at and how you might improve in the coming year.
2. Confront your problems
For the most part, we set goals because we have problems that we want to solve, right? Evaluate the problems that are facing you right now. Maybe you aren’t happy in your career or you want to improve your financial situation. Give yourself time to vent and brain dump everything that comes to mind. Of course, goal setting doesn’t have to be all about correcting the bad things, it can be about building upon the good things too! If great things are happening in your life that you want to continue, write those down as well.
3. Goals don’t have to be earth-shattering
Your annual goals don’t have to be massive or life-changing. Starting new habits, trying out new hobbies, having more fun with friends are all valuable goals that can make you feel more happy and content. I recommend having both big and small goals on your list!
4. Get real and be brutally honest
Being honest with oneself can be tough, but it’s worth it. What are your values, who are you in terms of personality, talent, skill? Have you held yourself back from success in the past? Do you need more discipline to make those big achievements? Evaluate yourself and keep these things in mind as you plan your year and write down your goals.
5. Make them measurable
At this point we all know about SMART goals, right? Writing a giant list of things you want to achieve is probably just going to lead you nowhere, so try to wrap some more specifics around each goal. Goals should be:
Specific: Don’t be too vague, really get down to the core of each goal, why you want to achieve it, how, and what it will take to get there.
Measurable: How will you know when the goal is achieved, and how can you measure progress?
Achievable: Is the goal realistic based on your timeframe and your personal, professional, and financial situation? What will it take to make it achievable?
Relevant: Does each goal align with your overall path, values, and purpose?
Time-bound: Set a realistic date for the goal completion.
6. Monthly and weekly goals should align with your yearly goals
Once you have your yearly SMART goals written down, it’s a good idea to break them down by priority and timeframe. Each month, give yourself a theme and a focus that will contribute to a larger goal. Then, each week, list some actionable steps that will move you towards that monthly goal. In a few months, you’ll start to see yourself moving towards achievement, and you’ll have tangible accomplishments that will keep you motivated.
7. Revisit them quarterly and reevaluate
Check-in with yourself every so often and see how you’re doing. I suggest taking time every three months to reevaluate where you’re at and ensure that your goals are still lining up with your life. What are your priorities now? Have you started any new hobbies or experienced any life changes that have shifted your goals? It’s okay to shift focus; this doesn’t mean you’re giving up on anything important, it just means you’re going with the flow and being realistic with yourself.
8. Make sure you’re DOING, not just planning
I’m majorly guilty of this one. Hell...it took me like a decade to even launch this blog. I procrastinated under the guise of “planning”, but in reality, I was making excuses because I was scared to take the leap! Don’t let fear get in the way of your success. Since we spent time at the beginning of the process evaluating our personality, strengths, and skills, you should be realistic about what you WILL do, not just what you want to do.
9. Keep them to yourself
Maybe this is just a me thing – but I prefer to keep my goals close to my heart and work on them quietly before I share them with others. Goals are super personal and revealing. Keeping them to yourself allows you to stop comparing your journey to anyone else’s, to learn how to keep yourself accountable instead of being accountable to others, and not have to explain your priorities or motivations to anyone else.
10. Celebrate the wins
This is huge. Every time you hit a milestone moment, even a small one, reward yourself. You don’t need to have a big treat yo self day (although you can if you want!), but take a second to reflect on every step that got you to where you are, and remember that each step is getting you closer to where you want to be. Take a breather, grab your favorite snack or a fancy coffee, and relish in your success. You deserve it!
Create a Vision Board
Vision boards are a great way to reference your goals every day. It’s fun to get creative and picture the future you, basking in the fruit of your labor. 2020 was the first year I created a vision board and I’ve been so excited to make a new one! While you should have your goals written down in detail, the vision board can be used as a quick visual, serving as motivation to keep you going. I’m sharing my 2020 vision board to serve as some creative inspiration! I created mine in Adobe InDesign but you can find some great templates on Canva. Check out Unsplash for free stock images to fill up your mood board, or just snag some from Google or a magazine.
Of course, I didn’t achieve everything on my vision board in 2020 – since ya know, traveling wasn’t really a thing and I’ve actually decided to pivot away from homeownership towards a new and even bigger goal, but it was a great motivator for me and kept me excited about what I could achieve.
