Do you struggle to set goals that you’ll actually keep? Please keep to learn how to set achievable goals you’ll actually keep!

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Although people often set goals around New Years, there is never a bad time to make changes in your life if you are willing to put in the work. However, over the years, I have found that I am most apt to work towards a goal if I am able to keep track of my progress.

How to Set Achievable Goals You’ll Actually Keep

Step 1: Goal Ideation

When thinking about goals for the year, I often have a multitude of habits I want to change or adapt or tasks that I want to complete. My first step to set goals and smash them is to brainstorm internally. From there, I create categories or umbrellas under which I can organize my goals. For example, this year my categories were as follows:

• Spiritual
• Health & Wellness
• Professional
• Financial
• Personal

Step 2: Visualize and Organize Initial Goals

Once I’ve created my categories, I start to place my goals under one of the above umbrellas within my bullet journal, a visual diagram, or a vision board. At this stage, my objectives don’t have to be concrete.

Step 3: Establish Actionable, Quantifiable Goals

First I ask myself, is this item a task? If the answer is “yes,” I will add a deadline and create actionable next steps. An example of a task might be to sign up for a gym membership by May 30th.

In all other cases, I will try to make my goals as quantifiable as possible. A quantifiable goal is a realistic goal that is measurable that may have an associated time-frame or deadline. If a goal is quantifiable, the following questions can be easily answered:

• What is my objective?
• Is there a concrete deadline or time-frame?
• How will I keep track of my progress?
• What are ways I can meet this goal?

Example of an Actionable, Quantifiable Goal

I want to read 20 books by the end of 2019.

• What is the objective? To read 12 books
• Is there a concrete deadline or time-frame? 11:59 P.M. on December 31, 2019
• How will I keep track of my progress? I will create and update my “Books Read in 2018” list in my bullet journal. Additionally, I will keep track of my progress using basic math to figure out how close I am to my goal.
• What are ways I can meet this goal? I will read during my commute to work.

At first glance, some goals may not seem easily quantifiable. However, there are easy ways to tweak goals to make them measurable. Please see the below for an example.

How to Set an Actionable, Quantifiable Goal

Original Goal: I want to spend less frivolously this year.

Why is this a vague goal? There no concrete objectives or deadlines to help keep me accountable. I could spend $1 less each month than I did last year and I would technically meet this goal…

Alternative Goal: I want to spend less than $200 a month on shopping or takeaway

• What is my objective? I want to spend less than $200 a month on shopping/eating out (or less than $2,400 this year)
• Is there a concrete deadline or time frame? 28-31 days, depending on the month or if thinking of this as a long-term goal – 11:59 P.M. on December 31st, 2019
• How will I keep track of my progress? I can log my monthly expenses using a budget sheet I create in Excel or I can use a mobile budgeting application such as Mint
• What are ways I can meet this goal? Using Excel or mobile applications, I can create a monthly budget sheet that outlines my expected expenses for the month (i.e. rent, utilities, groceries, savings, shopping/eating out, etc), and log new discretionary expenses as they occur

The original goal is so ill-defined that I am unable to clearly measure my success. In comparison,  the revised goal helps to keep me accountable to certain numbers. I can measure success based on how well I manage to stick to the aforementioned budget. Setting quantifiable goals is a key step to create goals and smash them!

Can a Goal be Actionable but not Quantifiable?

Yes! Actionable goals may not always be quantifiable, but they can motivational because they can be broken down into a series of steps. Please see the below example of a goal that is actionable but not quantifiable:

Example: I want to run a 5K Marathon in 2019.

• What is my first step? Personally, I do well with deadlines so I will sign up for a 5K Marathon that takes place during the spring season.
• What is my next step? Download a fitness app such as C25K.
• Once the initial prep is set, what will I do? I will make an exercise plan – i.e. a schedule for the days and times I’m working out. I will also set success markers for myself. For example, I want to run two miles without any breaks by March 31st.
• How will I reward myself for my success? How will I attempt to fix my mistake if I don’t meet my goal? I will reward myself with a manicure if I meet my goal, but if I don’t meet my goal I will give up video streaming for a month to encourage me to be more active.
• How will I track my progress? Using my C25K app or other apps where I can log daily habits.

Actionable goals can be successful. Nevertheless, I still find it easier to gain momentum working towards goals that are both quantifiable and actionable. By creating actionable and quantifiable goals, I am more likely to set goals and smash them!

Step 4: Log Your Progress

Because I value some semblance of privacy, I actually prefer using Excel to track my personal progress instead of online applications. However, I recognize that apps may be better for those who hate Excel or may not be as savvy with the application. That being said if your goal is something such as drinking 32 fluid ounces of water a day or spending less, using an app may be beneficial for maintaining accuracy.

My top tip to create goals and smash them is to create as many helpful lists, notes, and visuals as possible. For example, I document and share my progress panning makeup. My internal spreadsheet is extremely comprehensive. It includes details such when I finish or declutter products, as well as my thoughts. However, the most rewarding aspect of my spreadsheet is the pie chart that I use to visualize my progress.

My second tip to set goals and smash them is to log progress as soon as possible. Untimely logging, may lead you to stop keeping track altogether.

Step 5: Treat Yourself!

Treat yourself if you are doing a killer job in meeting or exceeding your goal(s)! Hard work deserves a reward – whether that reward is something physical like purchasing new lipstick, an doing something experiential like a spa trip or  “cheat day,” or simply saying words of positive affirmation to yourself.

Final Step to Set an Achievable Goal You’ll Actually Keep

One of the most rewarding aspects of setting goals is the ability to look back at all of the hard work and progress. Day over day, it might not feel like positive changes are being made. However, looking back at old journal entries, notes, or progress markers will likely prove otherwise.

Any progress towards a goal should be celebrated. Progress takes work – even if a goal wasn’t met. Keep a positive attitude and believe in yourself because you can make positive changes! 🙂

With hard work and determination you learn how to set achievable goals you’ll actually keep. How will you start smashing your goals?

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Enjoy learning about how to set achievable goals you’ll actually keep? Check out my goals for the year.

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How do you set achieveable goals you’ll actually keep? What are the top apps that you use for goal setting? Please let me know in the comments below.

2018 resolutions advice goal-setting how-to life meeting goals motivation self help success