Why Set Goals?
First, let me explain why I find goal setting useful.
- Goals give focus to a desired outcome.
- Goals help me plan my time.
- Goals give me a feeling of accomplishment.
As an example, one of my reoccurring writers goals is to write more.
Goals need to be specific and time-bound so, I’ll set a goal to write 5,000 words in January.
Specific goals should set an expectation and a deadline. As I move through January, I have something to focus on and can track where I am in relation to the goal. On January 15th, I should have written 2,500 words. If I have good, if I haven’t, I’d better get moving.
Another advantage of goal setting is when I’m not sure what I should be working on; I refer to my goals and tackle one. Each goal gives me focus.
Some Examples For The New Year (first three months)
- Writing – I will write at least 5,000 words per month.
- Purpose: Consistent writing burns the habit of writing into my daily routine and will improve my writing skills.
- How: I will sit down first thing every morning (well most mornings) and write 200 or more words.
- Health – I will exercise 3 times per week.
- Purpose: Currently, my overall health is excellent but, I do sit too much, especially in the winter months. To maintain and improve my health, I need to exercise regularly.
- How: I love being outdoors, and I feel that I can do whatever I want for exercise as long as I am consistent. So, I will do anything that gets me moving three or more times per week. I will bike, hike, walk, run (maybe ?), or do body-weight strength exercises.
- Travel – I will take 1-2 multi-day trips per month with my wife Kathy.
- Purpose: I am semi-retired (recently), which allows me the freedom to spend time visiting people and places at my leisure, so I need to start doing this.
- How: With help from Kathy (wife), I will plan one or more trips at the beginning of each month.
These are just a few goals that I will be setting up. I have others for business and finances that I haven’t set up yet, but you get the idea
Now It’s Your Turn
I highly recommend that you set some writers goals up every few months in multiple categories. Writing, Art, Health, Finance, Travel, etc.
Setting up your goals is the easy part. Just sit down with your favorite journal (see our journals here) and write what you want to accomplish over the next month, quarter, or year, then break each goal into bite-sized pieces (daily, weekly, etc.) so the goals are manageable.
Working on your goals is a little more difficult. I review my list each day to determine what needs to be done next for each goal. I then put that on my ongoing To-Do list, (see Top 10 Uses For A Journal) so it doesn’t get lost in the daily noise.
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