As I’m driving to a client’s home, I take a moment to reflect on my achievements over the past year. While I have encountered some challenges, I feel pretty good about what I have accomplished. This year, I plan to build upon my successes and improve and streamline my goal planning process.
One technique I use is dividing my goals into five categories: family, business, personal, financial, and spiritual. I find that focusing on specific goals in each area helps me to keep them top of mind and ensures that I am not neglecting any important areas of my life. In the past, I was not much of a goal writer, but once I set a goal, I am able to focus and make progress towards achieving it. I’m not perfect, and there may be setbacks, but I try to keep momentum by consistently working towards my goals.
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It’s important to be kind to yourself and remember that if you stop working towards a goal, it’s okay to try again. In fact, it’s something to celebrate! Every little step you take adds up and helps you to progress.
I have a helpful tip for saving money and reducing anxiety: use multiple savings accounts. The type of account I have at my bank allows me to create unlimited savings accounts, which I use as “savings buckets.” This helps me to be intentional about my financial goals and allows me to move money between accounts if needed. Seeing my progress every time I log in is also motivating.
A common myth is that once you make a goal, you are not supposed to change it until you achieve it. This is not true! Life changes and so do our priorities. The purpose of setting goals is to lead a purposeful life, but it’s okay to adjust your sails along the way. Goals can be set for different time frames, such as a week, a month, a year, or even longer. It’s important to review your goals regularly to ensure they still serve you and adjust them as needed. Don’t be afraid to remove a long-term goal if something bigger and better comes along.
To set yourself up for success in goal writing, it’s helpful to find a quiet place to work, free from distractions like TV or other people. If you need to, go to a quiet cafe or put on some instrumental music with earbuds. Be in a relaxed state and have your favorite beverage nearby. You can also try working in short sessions, focusing on one area at a time. Sometimes, the best ideas come when you least expect it, so keep a pen and paper handy to jot down your thoughts.
I hope this helps you to create and achieve your goals. If you have any tips of your own, I’d love to hear them! Please email me your thoughts. Remember, don’t let the stress of goal setting prevent you from designing the life you were meant to live.
