Feeling stuck can be frustrating, but having goals can change that. They give us a sense of direction and help us focus, allowing us to see the bigger picture and eliminate distractions. Personally, short-term goals work best for me. I love the satisfaction of ticking items off a checklist – it’s as gratifying as peeling the plastic film off new electronics!
One effective approach for me is participating in weightlifting meets. These events typically follow a 12-week training cycle with clear start and end dates, making them perfect short-term goals. This concept can be applied to any physical task: set a start date, choose a duration (4, 8, or 12 weeks), and set an end date. An event like a competition or race can serve as a great motivator.
Goals also help clear mental clutter. For example, last weekend, we decided to landscape our backyard. This wasn’t a long-term plan but a short-term decision that created a weekend goal. Saturday was for buying materials, and Sunday was dedicated to finishing the task. This short-term focus helped clear my mind of other responsibilities.
Long-term goals, however, are trickier to manage. Progress can be obscured by short-term objectives and distractions. Keeping a physical log helps track your progress and identify what’s left to do. For larger or unfamiliar tasks, consider finding a mentor for guidance.
When setting long-term goals, think about:
- Alignment with personal values.
- Dedicating a part of your day to work towards your long-term goal.
- Breaking down long-term goals into short-term tasks.
- Prioritizing tasks by urgency.
- Working backwards from your goal to find a starting point.
Before setting goals, reflect on these questions:
- How do I view the past year: positive, negative, or neutral?
- What’s an interesting thing I learned this year?
- Who influenced me positively or negatively?
- What was a challenging moment and why?
- What accomplishments am I proud of?
- What personal strength did I use, and how did it help?
- What recurring hurdles did I face (time, money, attitude, etc.)?
- How effectively did I communicate with important people in my life?
- What three achievements were aided by others?
- What advice would I give based on this year’s lessons?
- What problems arose, and how did I solve them? Are there patterns in these problems or solutions?
