In the light of the new decade starting, I would like to share with you my wisdom on how to set up a goal list that is both effective and meaningful, but one that doesn’t dominate your life and still leaves you with time to relax and to be spontaneous. Ready for some theory? I know you are!
As the goal-setting topic is lengthy, I will begin with a post that is very compact, but still gives you an idea what to keep in mind when you start making New Year’s resolutions. In the upcoming days/weeks though, I will go into more detail explaining each step separately along with real-life examples.
Step 1: Preparation and Self-Assessment
- Draw The Wheel of Life (WOL) so you can picture a snapshot of your own life. Each sector on the wheel presents a different key area in my life. As you can see my WOL has 8 sectors, but you can also do 6 or whatever amount you like. See where you stand today and if there are any key areas that especially need your attention.
- Download the Wheel of Life here (blank)
- Download the Wheel of Life here (pre-filled)
Step 2: Setting the Goals and Preparing the List
- Visualize and start writing down your goals. (I know vision boards are popular these days, so if you prefer doing that instead of writing a list, go for it! Do whatever works best for you!)
- Check if your goals are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely). I cannot emphasize enough how important is this part! Do not sabotage yourself and make sure your goals meet this critical criteria.
- Ask yourself if you have control over your goals? Some examples include: falling in love is not under your control, however, going on dates is; getting a promotion is not entirely under your control either, but learning a new career-related skill or volunteering for a project is.
- Leave room for spontaneity and be flexible. Start small and slow as opposed to trying to accomplish five different things at once. The purpose of a goal list is not to cause a burnout, but to organize your thoughts, ideas and dreams better so you can be more effective while enjoying your life.
Step 3: Action and Revaluation
- Execute (take action) and remain consistent. Be ready to put in some work and have a proper support system in place. Words are powerful and encouraging comments from our loved ones can serve as major motivation.
- Review regularly (e.g. once a month, once a quarter) and adjust if necessary. If possible, get a review buddy.
- Have fun with it!
To be honest, I wish somebody could have shared this knowledge with me back in 2015 just before I started writing down my first goal list. I’m still wondering how many failures I could have avoided and how many nerve cells I could have saved… probably a zillion! This checklist has served me well for years, and I firmly believe there is a good chance it might work for you, too!
Love and light,
Liis