Tips for Good Goal Setting
Did you know time management is actually emotional management?
"SMART Goals SUCK. Set a SMART Task instead, keeping your goals fuzzy, emotional and value-aligned." - Coach Kate
As you craft your goals at a high level consider the following two factors:
Away ➡ Towards Goals
When you are focused on what you are leaving behind, you are not only still stuck on an upsetting story using a lot of energy but also its hard to actually take any aligned action with that goal. Instead, focus on where you are headed, and identify the actual actions you can take to get you there. This also supports a positive mindset and sets your brain looking for opportunities you desire.
"Stop stressing and feeling overwhelmed" ➡ "Feel more calm and organized"
"Stop eating junk food" ➡ "Explore and increase my emotional awareness"
"Stop scrolling mindlessly" ➡ "Spend more time reading and with my friends"
"Get out of this job" ➡ "Discover and position myself for what's next."
2. Outcome ➡ Daily Success or Growth Mindset
Outcome goals mean you fail every day until you get there, and we have little control over meeting it on a day-to-day basis. Instead, we want you to feel successful every day - it makes it more likely you will keep acting and feel fulfilled. Less rollercoaster of emotions, too!
"Lose 10 pounds" ➡ "eat for energy" knowing it will lead to weight loss plus a lot of other good things
"Write a book" ➡ "express myself and imagination daily"
"Convert 5 new sales" ➡ "start conversations and earn gratitude daily"
"Be the best attorney in Colorado" ➡ "learn how to be the best attorney in Colorado"
When creating your “SatisfACTION Plan” to bring your goals to life, focus on creating a values-based mindset that will cue specific habits or actions every day.
Your daily success goal is that underlying mindset message, a mantra so to speak, that can act as a daily reminder and reframe that will cue specific actions or habits that take you closer to your Big Hairy Audacious Goal and reduce self-sabotage. In some cases, your main goal might be your daily success goal (ex - eat for energy), while in other cases, you might have to do a little more crafting (ex: learn how to be the best attorney in Colorado might become, “stay curious; ask a lot of questions.”).
Ground your goal and plan of action in meaning, emotions and being prepared for challenges to increase the likelihood of follow through. Journal the responses to these questions:
What value(s) of yours is aligned with this goal?
How will achieving your goal change your life, and other people’s lives?
How will you feel in 3 months, 6 months, one year as you make progress on your goal?
What does progress on your goal look like? As behaviors, the environment around you, what you are doing, events on your calendar…
What challenges might you expect to come up? Consider both “real world” challenges and inner critic challenges. Prepare yourself for that challenge ahead of time with “If, Then” statements (If I’m offered a glass of wine then I’ll say “how about a glass of sparkling water?”).
What resources do you have to help you in your journey?
How will you reward yourself and celebrate your follow through on the day to day, and in the longer run? Rewards make it more likely we will do the activity again.
After you’re well connected to your goal, move into the action plan with these tips.
We have the tendency to put projects on to-do lists and then wonder why it never gets done or feels so big. “Make dinner” is a project. Instead, break projects down into teeny tiny steps — and even better, those steps down into habits. When things feel big or overwhelming, take on a mini-challenge mindset. It's easier to motivate yourself and get a reward of achievement to keep you going.
Plan a "do on" date, based on backwards planning from a due by date to set yourself up for success to make time to complete the action. Don't add the do date on the next line until you've completed the first.
Put each step of the project on a sticky note in prioritized order. Keep them in a stack so you can only see one at a time, throwing away the top one when the activity is complete. It helps with the to-do list overwhelm feeling.
Be sure to celebrate with gratitude as you make progress, and return to your big goal vision regularly.
Want to make changes in your life or career, and reach some big goals in 2023? I can help! Let’s talk.
