Using Goal Setting for a Better 2019
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We have been looking at ways to set yourself up to have a better 2019.
We spent some time looking at how to evaluate and move forward with your business — whatever it may be. Now we are looking at how to improve you like recommitting to your wellbeing or considering reinvention. Today we will touch on goal setting.
If you have been looking for ways to change your life, setting better goals might be just what you need. This can be done in a variety of ways, including with a journal or a planner you use daily. Goals are not just about trying to accomplish big things either – there are so many smaller, realistic goals that make a drastic difference in your life, your mental health, and your happiness.
How do your goals make a difference?
You Get a Better Sense of Your Life’s Direction
Have you been feeling like you’re not quite sure where your life is headed, who you are, or what you are supposed to be doing? This is very common among adults of all ages and in all walks of life. There may be many moments in your life when you feel a little stuck or unsure. Using a daily planner or journal can help tremendously when you are setting goals.
Even if you haven’t gotten any clarity yet, you can start small with your goals and tasks to complete them. As you do this more often, you start to see what areas become a priority and which ones don’t. You might find out more about yourself based on the types of goals you set or the tasks you enjoy or don’t enjoy doing.
There can be a lot to learn about yourself and your life just by setting some goals.
You Feel More Successful When You Are Productive
As you begin making lists of actions and tasks that need to be completed to achieve your goals, you’ll start becoming more productive and focused. This happens naturally as it’s much easier to get things done with a list in front of you. Every time you cross something off your task list, you feel that sense of accomplishment, which motivates you to continue. This –in turn– creates more fulfillment and happiness in your life because of how accomplished and proud you feel.
It Helps to Prioritize Things in Your Life
Setting goals also may have other benefits, including helping you to figure out what your biggest priority is. As you start writing down goals, you’ll quickly put each goal into a list in your head. Some things might be short-term and things you can work on now, while others are long-term goals that require more work and patience.
There’ll also
You Can Use SMART and SHARP Goals
When you are ready to set your goals and task lists, remember two fundamental goal-setting methods: SMART and SHARP. These actually work together very well for personal and professional goals. I have written about SMART goals in the past but I haven’t touched on SHARP goals.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. Every goal should fit into all of these categories, where it is a specific and attainable goal that is realistic, one that shows you how long it should take, is relevant to your life and what you want to achieve, and one with results that are measurable.
Also, make sure your goals are SHARP, which stands for Simplified, How, Action, Review, and Progress. Keep the goals and tasks simple and easy to accomplish, know what is required (how) to achieve the goal, and what actions you will take. You want to be able to review your progress, as well as see the final outcome.
You Get More Motivation
Setting goals will also change your life by giving you the motivation to succeed. It’s really easy to get comfortable in your life and work, where it’s difficult to take that next step. Setting goals will help give you a place to start, and the feeling of accomplishment as you make progress help give you that push – that motivation you need to get to the next level in your life.
3 Tips for Setting Goals
We just discussed how goals can make a difference in your life. Here are 3 tips for setting the most appropriate goals for you this year.
- Create different types of goals
Rather than thinking about the ultimate goal or the one thing in life that you really want, such as buying a mansion or owning a yacht, you should make your list a series of both short-term and long-term goals.
While you might want a certain salary by age 40, you should also create smaller goals for the meantime. This also means that rather than having one huge mountain to climb and therefore only one success to celebrate, you can achieve many different things, building your confidence, and keeping you enthusiastic along the way.
- Get disciplined with yourself
Put something in your calendar or discipline yourself to set new goals at the start of every month (or every year). You could create individual goals for each month, as well as one for six months, and then another for the end of the year.
At the start of each month, take five minutes to review your goals, see how far you’ve progressed, and add any new goals as needed.
- Find a friend
Setting goals with friends may often be more fun than doing it alone. You can not only discuss your own personal goals with each other but can also give each other ideas for new goals. As a group, you all can hold each other accountable (accountability partners) and make the whole experience more fun. In fact, you might even want to select goals that you can work on together.
While it often works best in small groups, there’s nothing wrong with a larger group working together on a project.
If you use some of these tips, it could just make goal setting easier and more fun!
For a more in-depth look at achieving your goals, here is a book called Crush Your Goals from my Shop at Life: The Reboot.
Loving Life–The Reboot!
Dominique
41 Comments
Joanna
Finding a friend to motivate each other is definitely great advice! I am trying to get more organised and more motivated this year, to be more productive. And a friend on the same journey can definitely help.
Dominique
I have a friend who is my accountability partner in exercise. We are supposed to walk together several times a week. With the holidays and a physical issue I had, we haven’t done it in the new year. But we start next week! Accountability partners are key!
Andrew
Very good tips! I need to share your post with my Wife!
Dominique
Thank you — I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope your wife does too!
Stacie
I’m a big fan of setting goals. NOT resolutions – goals. Goals are attainable if you work for them. Resolutions are just dreams you really don’t ever work towards.
Dominique
I like your definitions for goals and resolutions — I know the difference but I just need to make sure I keep that separate in my plots! Thanks for the reminder!
Sara
My problem is that I make unrealistic goals to achieve within a short period of time. I need to make a timeline for what is plausible to achieve and what will take more time. Great advice!
Dominique
It’s so easy to make your goals too big, isn’t it? Sometimes the goals are too big even when you try to make them more reasonable. It’s why goals should be a living thing with frequent reviews and adjustment! Thanks for reading!
Alexandra
These are some great tips, thank you!
I think goal setting is so important. And making smaller, realistic goals to begin with is great, so you can feel a sense of accomplishment, and then build on from there!
Dominique
Thank you so reading! We just have to keep reviewing our goals to make sure they are appropriate and that we can achieve them!
Adriana
Thank you for posting this. I definitely feel more productive when I create goals. Actually I have a weekly goal planner book. Great article!!
Dominique
THank you for reading! Goal planners are so helpful aren’t they?
Catherine Santiago Jose
Such an incredible article and very worth to read. You are absolutely right and hit every point/detail for this kind of stuff. A very good post that we can set as guide in making this 2019 more productive and accomplishment.
Dominique
Thank you for reading — I am glad it was helpful!
Brianne Tursi Manz
I stopped making resolutions a few years ago. Now, I just set goals, with “sub-goals” (achieving smaller goals in order to reach the overall objective. Then, I’m not overwhelmed.
Dominique
I like your style! Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
sincerelymissj
Really great post, full of great tips! I especially love the idea of having smaller goals to help keep the motivation going!
Dominique
It’s really easy to get discouraged without the smaller goals. Encouragement keeps us going! Thanks for reading!
Suzanne
These are all such great tips! But having a great support system is a must in order to do better. Don’t you think? Wishing you the best in 2019! xo, Suzanne
Dominique
Oh definitely! I will be posting about support systems in the future. We all need one and have to find people online that we can add as well. Have a wonderful 2019!
Jasmine Hewitt
this is such a helpful post! 2019 needs to be everyones year to get motivated and reach those goals
Dominique
Thank you so much! Good luck with your goals this year — have a wonderful day!
Terri Steffes
I think goal setting sharpens your priorities. Instead of just drifting through this life, it gives it purpose and direction.
Dominique
That’s a great point! Have a wonderful day!
Erica D Ardali
I am a big fan of Smart goals. I love taking the time really figure out what I want and the baby steps it will take to get me there
Dominique
I do too. I just have to make sure I don’t get stuck in the goal setting phase! Have a great day!
Lisa
I love this! I feel super successful when I’m productive, and use this to motivate me even when I don’t want to do anything! Great post!
Dominique
Thank you. I do too! Have a wonderful day!
EO
Great post! I can and will use these tips. I need to get back to being positive. Following you now on social media.
Chelle Dizon
This is really inspiring to read. Aside from your friend to help you in motivating your goals. You also have your partner in life for that. Thumbs up for this!
Dominique
Very true but sometimes it’s good to have a person who is not your partner to talk to. Your partner sometimes may be nicer than you need him or her to be LOL. Thanks for reading!
Surekha Bus
This is the month where you need to prepare what your goals are and where to start! I enjoyed reading this article!
Dominique
Thank you — I am glad you enjoyed it! Have a great day!
Catherine
I need to work on disciplining myself more. I have so many goals this year…great ideas here to keep on track!
Dominique
I have to manage my goals too. There’s so much I want to do! Thanks for reading!
Tiffany Barry
Great tips! I juggle so much every day balancing motherhood with blogging and my business that goals are super essential to my sanity.
Dominique
I hear you! We have to be good at juggling! Have a beautiful day!
Elizabeth O
Finding a friend to collaborate with is always a good idea. We all set goals but the bigger challenges for most is completion. Small steps go a long way.
Dominique
Accountability is key. I went walking with my accountability partner last night — she has encouraged me to take more steps during the day. She’s pushing me toward my goals!
Courtney
I’m all about setting goals! Even if they are small. You feel so good when you reach them!
Dominique
You have a sense of accomplishment! I hope you have a wonderful day!