Setting Real Goals
January 16th, 2022
Its the middle of January and it feels like everyone is already weeks in to their “New Year - New Me” habits or mantras. If you’re anything like me, the mental “noise” and chaos that comes with the holidays makes it nearly impossible to have any deep thought or introspection and I am so rarely prepared to jump into the new year with my list of goals and action plans come January 1st. Instead I wait, for the dust to settle and the noise to silence, and in a few weeks, or a month, or maybe two I’m finally ready to map out the year ahead.
Setting goals can help gain clarity and direction but unmet goals can sometimes make us feel like a failure at the end of the year and that’s just not cool. Here are some thoughts on setting real achievable goals:
Be Realistic
Okay, let’s be real with ourselves. Are you really going to get up early and go to the gym when you’re really not a morning person? Are you going to sell one hundred pillows when last year you only had time to make ten? Take a look at your current life situation and see how your goals fit or what changes can to be made. Be weary of taking on too much and setting yourself up for burnout.
I am NOT knocking the big goal setters and I think its a beautiful thing to let your mind go wild. Its a strange world and anything is possible, but! Being realistic sets up a stable foundation to build from. Once you start checking off those smaller milestones you’ll get the confidence and the momentum to go a little further, and let the goal get a little bigger.
Write It Down
I will forever preach that you need to physically write down your goals. There is nothing more intentional than sitting down with a pen and paper and getting your thoughts out of your cluttered brain and into the physical world. You don’t need a fancy journal, and your handwriting doesn’t need to be the prettiest. Just write it down! Once you get it out there you can stick it on the fridge, or the pin board by your desk, or keep it to yourself in a notebook. No rules here, find what works for you.
Taking Your First Steps
Think about your goal and what it will take to get there. If your goal is to launch your website, your steps may be designing a logo, and writing your first blog post or making your inventory of products. Write you goal at the top of a page and list all the things you’ll need to do first or smaller notable milestones. If you do decide to go for the BIG goal, remember to be realistic about the timeline and the work it’ll take to get there. Make note of your progress! Your first sale - your first mile; progress is progress and it means you’re closer than you were yesterday. Breaking down your goals into baby steps will help them feel more attainable and give you the slow and steady momentum you need to make it to the end.
Some Final Words From The Heart
Don’t forget to be kind to yourself. If you’re making big business goals be sure to also make goals and time for yourself. Fitness goals? Make time for rest. Whatever your goals may be remember that you set the pace and nobody is grading you. Slip up? Try again tomorrow. Progress is progress and every little bit counts.
Be realistic. Write it down. Take the first step.
You can do it!
