The Ultimate Guide to Goal-Setting: 6 Steps to More Intentional Goals
Healthy Goal-Setting
The Ultimate Goal-Setting Process: 6 Steps to More Intentional Goals
Welcome to Bri Books! Today, I’m sharing my 6 steps to more intentional goal-setting (and goal-keeping!) Consider this your guide to healthy and effective goals. Goal-setting is a healthy practice, but it can be hard to find the best strategy that empowers you to execute your goals.
What is Goal Setting, and Why Is It So Important?
Goal setting is a powerful, purposeful and explicit exercise that starts with identifying a new objective, skill, or project you want to achieve. When you set goals, you take control of your life’s—or your work’s—direction. Goals provide you with focus. The decisions you make and actions you take should bring you closer to achieving those goals. Setting goals keeps you moving and feeling productive, while significantly benefitting your organization. When you set goals, you create a vision of what your life or your business could look like. Then you start pushing yourself and your team to get the best results possible. Common types of goals include short-term goals, long-term goals, personal goals, professional goals, financial goals, social goals, relationship goals, spiritual goals, academic goals, and family goals.
6 Steps to More Intentional Goals
Be compassionately realistic about where you are:
Be specific about your “why'“: Drill down on precisely what you want to achieve. Setting goals is a meaningful exercise. Connect your every goal to a “why.” When you spend time understanding the “why” that drives your actions, it’s easier to avoid distractions and focus on pursuing your goal. Remember, you don’t have to achieve all of your goals at once. You can always iterate as you accomplish.
Be intentional about how you’re going to get there: Break your goals down into smaller goals you can accomplish daily. Focus on continuation and consistency, not completion. Embrace all the things you’ve already started. Remember, getting to your destination requires several steps. You don’t simply arrive at a destination immediately—you get their mile by mile—even when you’re flying.
Be SMART in your goal-setting (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely): The most important part of SMART goal setting is to make your goal specific so you can clearly track your progress and know whether you met the goal. The more specific you can be with your goal, the higher the chance you’ll complete it.
Write your goals down: When you write your goals down, they become real and tangible instead of a vague idea that resides only in your mind. Once you’ve written your goals down, keep them somewhere visible––put personal goals up on your mirror or near your computer screen, put team goals up on the walls next to everyone’s desks, and include company goals in internal presentations. This tactic reminds you to keep working on your goals daily. As you're writing down your goals, use a positive tone so you stay excited about completing them
Evaluate and iterate: Always, always, always take time to evaluate your successes, identify your growth areas, and iterate on how you’re feeling. Accomplishing your goals should be fun, not draining.
Rudders and Oars
One of my favorite goal-setting concepts ‘Rudders and Oars.’ According to original of the concept, James Clear, the metaphor of the rudder and oars helps clarify the difference between systems and goals. Your goals are like the rudder on a boat: when you commit to one goal, the rudder says put and moves you forward. Your oars are the processes by which you go about achieving your goals. While the rudder determines your direction, it’s the oars that determine your process. For example, if you’re a writer, your goal is to write a book. Your system is the writing schedule that you follow each week. Remember: goals determine your direction. Systems determine your progress. You’ll never get anywhere just by holding the rudder. You have to row.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Bri Books! What are your goals for 2024? Let me know on Instagram! ! If you’re new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using #bribooks on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter.
