How to set goals that are (Actually ACHIEVABLE)

Towards the end of December, I thought of all the amazing things I wanted to do in the upcoming year. Writing down all my goals and setting the tone for the new year felt so freeing. Each goal was separated by category with a deadline attached to it. At the time, I thought “some of the goals would be easy, and some of them would require a bit more effort.” However, it didn’t take long; by January 30, I was already burning out and still trying to push through it. All the prior excitement I once had almost dried up, and I was beginning to feel like I was over it.

It was a breeze to move through the easier goals, and I felt as if I was making progress. It wasn’t until I got to the harder goals that I started to become a little unmotivated to finish. As time progressed, I began extending each goal timeline just to say that I had done something for the year, so I wouldn’t feel unproductive. 

But in reality, I was just really busy. The goals weren’t aligned and realistic to where I wanted to be in life. I knew I needed something to change because it wasn’t working for me.  

Overwhelmed, I stepped away for a while and began to watch TV. I ran across a video about how to successfully set goals. Forgive me, because I don’t remember the person’s name. However, I watched the video from beginning to end, and it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. Immediately, I found my pen and paper and began brainstorming what I wanted for my life, and how I could align my goals to get there. 

That same year, I only set four goals and I achieved all but one. I came close to achieving the last one, but it didn’t happen, until the next year. This was a necessary turning point in my life, and I am grateful for it. Here are 5 ways to set goals any time of the year.

How to set achievable goals.

Be specific, clear, and concise.

Think about what you want. Take the time to pinpoint what you want in life and where you want to be. Those thoughts and dreams have probably run through your mind thousands of times.

On the days you allowed your mind to wander, were you able to imagine the life you wanted to live? Not coveting someone else’s life, truly roadmapping your own.

Be honest with yourself- what does life look like for you? William Arthur Ward once said, “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” 

Now is not the time to hold back. Sit down in a quiet space with no distractions and have a brainstorming session with yourself. 

• Where do you want your life to look like over the next 3 years? If you are having a hard time thinking out that far, then what about the next 6 months, and taking it from there? Do you want to move into a specific job, start a business, reach a financial goal, take on a new hobby, or something else?
• Is there something that you have put off that you would like to get back to?
• Is there something that you want to create that you haven’t made the time for?
• Are there any areas you want to improve in or get better at this year?

In your brainstorming session, begin asking yourself questions, be observant, and be open-minded to let yourself think without any distributions, distractions, or telling yourself that it’s impossible. Write down what you want to say.

Analyze your goals.

Compile all the answers you have written down. Instead of trying to achieve everything at once, note three to four goals that you deem to be the most important. From there, take those three to four goals in order of importance, based on when the goal will be the most achievable for you. 

Next, split each goal up into quarters. Since there are four quarters in a year, split each goal into three months. You should have a goal for January through March, April through June, July through September, and finally a goal for September through December. 

Some people don’t set goals at the beginning of January, so it’s normal not to have a total of four goals. Also, you say “What if I want to do more than four?”, while that sounds great resist the urge to do so right now. To start, stick with one goal per quarter. Then over time as you become more disciplined, feel free to add on more. This way, you can focus and be consistent with your goals.

Make a Plan.

Once you have finalized your goals, make a roadmap of how you will get there. Let’s say you want to get a new job, ask yourself,

• “Do you need a new resume?”
• “Have you made it known to others that you are actively looking for this new type of job?”
• “Are your online job profiles up to date?”
• “Do you need to obtain any other skills for the type of job that you are looking for?”
• “When will you start practicing for interviews?”

Make a checklist of everything you need to do for that goal you set. Within those 3 months plan out the checklist with the most important task down to the least important task with dates and deadlines to help you stay on track to achieve each goal. Repeat the process each quarter for every goal. 

TAKE OFF UNREASONABLE PRESSURE.

Take the pressure off yourself. This process doesn’t have to be perfect. You can always adjust, change, and move things around to make it fit for you. 

Focus on what you can do.

There may be times during this process when life happens, and things get in the way. Only focus on what you can control and leave the rest by the wayside. You can’t control every outcome, situation, or circumstance. Only do what you can do, and that’s it.

Setting goals doesn’t have to be hard. It’s not about having a whole bunch of goals and trying your best to achieve them. It’s more about being clear and concise about what you want and making a set plan of how to get there. Your plan will act like a roadmap to guide you through each goal, so you can successfully achieve each one. Given that you stay committed and consistent and put in the time, effort, and work. You can set goals at any time of the year. Why not start now?