I don’t know about you, but when I go to the supermarket without a list, it leads to all kinds of bad. Not only does it take a lot more time to gather what I need, I usually forget items (like the beef for that night’s beef stew!). And of course, I end up buying things that I don’t want (or need) to begin with. How did that Nutella end up in my basket anyway?!
Achieving your goals is a lot like shopping. It’s best done with a list. By taking the time to write down what you want to achieve, you are acknowledging what you want and, by nature of exclusion, what you don’t want. There are lots of ways to record goals: a list, a goals book (put one goal at the top of each page and you can add drawings or photos to strengthen your vision), or put goals on individual index cards. No matter how you choose to record your goals, make sure it is easy to read and something that you will go back to.
Also, just like shopping, you will find yourself closer to achieving your goals if you follow your list. Your list will help you focus your energies on the things that are important to you. So when you write out your to-do list for each day or week, you can be sure that your tasks are going to help you achieve those goals.
Here are some tried and true tips for writing goals:
Make sure when you are writing your goals that you are specific so that they are measurable. Instead of “I will do more craft fairs”, say something like “I will participate in 10 craft fairs by June 30th of 2013. That way you have a day of reckoning and it will also help you measure progress.
Write different levels of goals – smaller short term goals as well as longer term goals and even a “breakout goal” (that goal that seems like a pipe dream, but if you achieve will change your life)
When you are done writing your goals, be sure to read them every day. The more times a day you read them over, the more internalized they will become and the more your subconscious will draw to you what you need to achieve those goals.
What are your suggestions for writing goals? How do you keep track of your goals?
Happy goal writing!
Check out the first three parts of this series.....
Creating Success From The Inside Out
Taking 100% Responsibility For Your Life
Believe It's Possible
5 comments:
This really hit home with me. I am a list-making freak! My tool of choice at the moment is actually the "Task" feature in Gmail, it opens when I open my inbox so it's always in my face. I try to be really specific with my goals, it feels like it's easier to accomplish that way and it's so gratifying when I get to cross something off. :)
Great tips LIsa. I especially like the be specific - set a date tip!
I like to print out large, one goal to a page kinda thing & put them up where I will see them all the time.
I also like vision boards.
For me, goal setting has changed over the years. I've always been a list person - often with daily lists. When I worked my calendar was my list - the patients I'd see, the meetings I had to get to, appointments, fun things. For a few years I used a system that I bought that included special organizers for long and short term goals, etc. I'm looser about goals now. I still sometimes set them, but not as regularly. I journal a lot and often remind myself of bottom lines, include dreams for future projects - and still do daily smaller lists. Alyson Stanfield offers a terrific FREE course on building your business. You find a few friends/collaborators and work with each other to stay accountable. That exercise was helpful getting me to try new venues. New Year's Day is a time when I like to look back at the year and see what I've accomplished - and if I've had written goals, to compare how those match what I've done.
Unfortunately, my way is now relegated to lists on the stickies app on my iMac. Otherwise even shopping lists get lost in the mess.
Thank you all for sharing your own experiences and ways of keeping track of goals. I need to put my main goals front and center so I have it in front of me all the time. I love vision boards too, Debi!
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