This easy three step process will help you be more intentional and effective with your goal planning.
I have used this exact method for years, and I swear that it is a game changer. It is a simple process that anyone can do without feeling overwhelmed.
This post will show you how to set up a goal planning system which you can use as a roadmap to accomplish your goals.
The Key to Goal Planning
Some people think New Years Resolutions are cliche or don’t work. I disagree. I love me some New Years Resolutions. The key is not only setting goals every new year, but making a plan for them and integrating them into your daily life.
Make It Short
We all have tons of things we want to accomplish. But as Marie Forleo says, “simplify to amplify.” I like to keep my list capped at three priority goals (I recommend five at most). Focusing on just a few top goals helps you be laser focused and not become overwhelmed.
Start with your top priorities. Mine are wellness, family and the business. Think about what you want to accomplish in each of those areas.
Pro tip: all my planning is centered and organized according to these three priorities, which helps keep first things first.
Break It Down
Once you decide on your top 3-5 goals, this is where you take things to the next level. Most people stop at setting goals. With this goal planning system, you will break down your goals into monthly, weekly and daily steps. Not only does this break goals into smaller, more manageable steps, but it integrates your goals into your daily life.
Step 1: Set Mini Monthly Goals
Start with monthly actions you can take that will help you move closer to your goals.
For example, my top priority is wellness and my goal is to lose 25 lbs. Something I can do each month is start a new health habit: drink more water, go on daily walks, or track my meals. Each month these mini goals will help get me closer to my big goal of losing weight.
Step 2: Integrate Your Goals Into Your Weekly Routine
Integrating goals into your routine helps you work on them consistently by setting aside a specific day each week to focus on them. Commit to a weekly date with your goals, focused and undistracted.
Part of my weekly routine is planning out my meals. If I don’t set aside a specific day to do this, it likely won’t happen. Taking the time to do this each week is key to helping with my wellness goal.
Step 3: Turn Your Goals Into A Daily Lifestyle
Taking daily steps toward your goals is really what makes these goals a lifestyle and not just a once a year occurrence. The hope is for these daily steps to become part of your lifestyle even after you accomplish the goal.
My daily step to losing weight is tracking my food. You always hear that keeping a food log is effective in weight loss, so I track my meals in my planner every single day. This is a practice I will continue even after I hit my weight loss goal.
Bonus Step: Beyond Goal Planning
Of course, we can set goals and make plans and follow all the systems, but nothing will come of it unless we actually put plans to action.
But that’s the beauty of this system. It breaks down goals into manageable steps so you can accomplish them little by little throughout the year. And build habits that will last a lifetime.
I hope you found this post about goal planning helpful. For a limited time, get a free goal planner template (pictured below) when you subscribe to our email newsletter!
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