There is nothing magical about the start of a New Year for goal setting. But, it’s definitely the time of year I find myself working on my goals for both my business and personal life. Unfortunately, I don’t always do a good job of revisiting my goals throughout the year. This year, I have one tool to hopefully help me with! Before we get to the tools I plan on using for goal setting this year, let’s first talk about why goal setting is so important.
Why Set Goals?
If you have ever wondered why you should think about goal setting, there are three reasons I think it’s critical.
- Setting goals can help you identify your Why. Whether it’s in your business or in your personal life, having a big, overarching Why for the way you make decisions can help you focus. Once you start thinking about your goals, you will be able to figure out Why those goals are so important. Once that Why becomes apparent it can guide you throughout the year. Making decisions on a daily basis will be easier if you know Why you making those decisions.
- You can create a road map for the year. On a daily basis, we can get bogged down with the details of the day. Sometimes, we might spend so much time on the minutiae that we never get to our big goals. But, if we have specific goals for each month, then we won’t forget to spend much needed time on those big ideas, too.
- It gives you more flexibility. Having actual goals can actually give you flexibility because they force you to evaluate and reevaluate your progress. If you spend time focusing on meeting your goals, but are met with roadblocks or problems, you can reevaluate and modify those goals as needed. Life can change at any moment, so don’t be afraid to switch up or tweak your goals, too!
How to Get Started on Goal Setting
First, I want to clarify that I am not receiving anything for the products or websites that I am recommending. These are just items that have helped me. The last couple of years, I have participates in Lara Casey’s 5 Part Blog Series on Goal Setting. It’s 5 days worth of great questions and ideas to help you evaluate your life and set goals for the future. It really forced me to dig deep into what was important to me and what I wanted out of my life and my business. I highly recommend this Series, but make sure to carve out some time to go through it. You can start with Part 1 of the Series, here.
Another Blog Series that I love that helps with goal setting is Emily Ley’s Simplifying 2018 Series. Simplifying my life makes it easier to meet goals and focus on what is important. So, although this series is not specifically about goal setting, doing it in connection with goal setting will make it easier for you to meet your goals.
How to Keep Focused on Goals
{photo via Cultivate What Matters Shop}
Each year, even though I set goals at the beginning of the year, when things start to get busier during the summer and fall months, I forget to revaluate those goals. This year, I invested in the Cultivate What Matters Power Sheets to help keep me on track. I love that it includes not only monthly goal check-ins, but also sections where you can focus on your goals for each season of the year. I’m hoping that it will keep me on track throughout the year.
Do you have any tricks or tips for goal setting? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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