Do you ever find yourself going through the motions of life only to pause and wonder why?  Or do you find yourself asking yourself, where am I heading?  It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day tasks and lists without taking a step back and really looking at how these tasks build upon one another to get you where you want to be.  Setting Goals is a great place to start. 

To some, Setting goals can sound scary or even feel overwhelming.  One of the most dreaded questions in an interview is “Where do you see yourself in five years?”  Though I’ve gotten to a place where I always feel prepared to answer that question, I still have my moments where I feel a bit ‘deer in the headlights’ when it’s asked.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”  – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

How true is this quote?

We all have dreams and wishes, but without setting tangible tasks for ourselves, they remain just that.

In sports, “goal” is defined as “a pair of posts linked by a crossbar and often with a net attached behind it, forming a space into or over which the ball has to be sent in order to score.”  In life, a goal is defined as “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.”  It’s a direction that someone has decided to put their energy towards.  A “thing” whether tangible or not, that we hope to achieve or have at the end of the day.

There are many ways to reach our goals, but before we can reach them, we must first identify what our goals are:

How to Identify your Goals:

Step 1. Ask yourself, “What Type of Goals do I want to set?”

Are these goals personal and tied to your overall life?  Are these goals professional and tied to your career?  It’s important to know what these goals are going to support.

Step 2.  What are your values?  Interests?  Skills?

What do you hold near and dear to who you are as a person?  Carve out some time, make a list, and really think about what’s important to you.

Step 3. Be a sucker for SMART goals

Yes, ‘be a sucker,’  because I definitely am.  I love a good SMART goal because if a goal isn’t specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound… then is it really even a goal?  

Step 4.  Write them down!

I can’t stress this enough.  As you map out what it is you want in life.  As you map out the goals that you want to work towards, writing them down is key.  When you write something down, not only does your brain remember it better, but you’re making an investment in starting to bring these goals to life.  I highly recommend finding a journal to write your goals in or, if you prefer digitally writing, make a notebook on your phone where you can write these down.

Step 5.  Prioritize 

After you’ve identified your goals and written them down, take a moment to rank them… prioritize them. Sometimes we set goals for ourselves that are grand and exciting but will take some time to achieve.  Be realistic.  What goals can you accomplish in the near future as you work towards your bigger goals in the distant future?  What goals can you start working on right here and right now?

Step 6.  Do Your Research

I’m sure you’re looking at this word and frowning a bit.  Research is one of those words that remind me of school and all of the reports that I had to write over the years.  Instead of looking at research in the negative, look at it in the positive!  Research is so important as we get older and begin carving out the world we see for ourselves.  Research helps to inform us of whether or not a decision or purchase is one worth making.  Remember, writing and setting goals is an investment in YOU.  You want to make the best investment you possibly can, so, therefore, doing some research is key.  Ask yourself:

-What skills will I need to reach this goal?

-Do I need additional education or training?

-What types of resources will I need to be successful?

Step 7. Create a timeline 

Now that you’ve done some research and have a better idea of what it takes… create a timeline.  Just like writing your goals down, creating a timeline for your goals is important in keeping them on track and also providing you with some accountability.  There are so many great resources out there to help craft a timeline.  Check out “5 Planning Resources to Save your Life” to find one or two that might work for you.

Step 8.  Lean into the Mess

Setting goals and working towards them is not always perfect.  In fact, much like life, there will be obstacles that mess with your timeline and challenges that make you question whether or not your goal even makes sense.  That is OK.  Lean into the mess.  Accept the mess.  Embrace the mess.  If you have to go back to the drawing board and scrap a goal or completely change it… go back to the drawing board.  You’re setting goals to invest in yourself.  Do it. 

Step 9.  Work, Work, Work

Pick a date and get to work!  You created a plan and a timeline for a reason.  Set a date and get started.  If you’re a planner, like me, this step is hard.  I’ve made so many plans for myself and set so many goals and I spend time and more time… and then even more time trying to make my goal perfect.  In order to achieve your goal…. You have to GET STARTED.  Setting a date on a calendar will help you do so.

Step 10.  Consistently Motivated Progress Celebrate

You’re probably reading step 10 and thinking, “this is like four more steps in one”… and it is.  For the sake of even numbers and short lists, I have indeed snuck four steps in one.  But it makes sense, I promise.

At this point, you’ve got goals!  Celebrate!  Pat yourself on the back, give yourself a star, do a dance, or treat yourself to a new planner, fancy pen, or beverage of choice.  You’ve spent time and energy investing in yourself and that’s so great!   I hope you feel a sense of accomplishment because you should.

Consistently revisit your goals, stay motivated, and track your progress. (See?  It makes sense).

Celebrate your wins small and large, because you are on your way to turning a wish into a reality.