6 Steps to Setting Smart Goals that you will actually achieve this year
Setting your goals can be a daunting task. This guide will provide you 6 steps you need to set achievable goals.
Step 1: Start with your vision
This step involves setting a clear and defined purpose for your goals. Start by thinking about your legacy, five-year vision, dreams, past desires, qualities you would like to adopt, and what you want to reduce or eliminate in your life. Write everything down on paper or a digital notepad. Your vision may seem unrealistic at this point, but it will help to steer you toward achieving your goals.
Step 2: Break down the vision into achievable goals
After writing down your vision, create goals from it, prioritize them based on your level of motivation, and determine what steps will help you reach it. It is important to prioritize your goals based on how badly you want to achieve them, and to make sure meeting them is under your control. At this stage, you can also define what success looks like in terms of quantifiable metrics to help you measure progress as you work toward your goals.
Step 3: Prepare for failures
To increase the likelihood of success, it is important to prepare for adverse situations by anticipating obstacles and figuring out strategies to overcome them. Writing down these strategies and having a plan in place can help you stay on track when things get tough.
Step 4: Create a habit system
Creating a habit system will help you put your goals into action by doing something every day that brings you closer to achieving them. James Clear in his book “Atomic Habits” emphasizes the importance of having a habit system and tips on how to set one up. This includes finding and removing "clutter" activities, scheduling time in your calendar for your habits, removing friction, figuring out baby steps, and being consistent.
Step 5: Find people who support you - your hype squad
Having a group of supportive people is important for motivation and accountability towards achieving goals. This group, which I call your "hype squad", can include a mentor, cheerleader, accountability buddy, source of inspiration, and family members. The idea is to have people in your life who can offer advice, lift your spirits, keep you accountable, inspire you, and support you in achieving your goals.
Step 6: Measure progress and re-evaluate goals
Forming habits requires continuous reflection and adjustments for improvement. Have a designated check-in day to evaluate progress, reflect on it, and make changes. Reward yourself for milestones to stay motivated, and explore the reasons if you were not able to make progress. The check-in day can be monthly or quarterly, and is a good time to also check in with your hype squad.
Bonus
Here are the tools I use -
I use a digital planner and a physical bullet journal to track my goals.
Feel free to use this Notion template that I created and use.
I formed a Discord community for helping people stay accountable. I encourage you to join this community if you are looking to stay accountable.
I hope these tips were useful in inspiring you to create your goals. 2023 is YOUR YEAR! I believe in you.
Now, I would love to hear from you - what is one crazy and seemingly unrealistic vision you have for your future?