If you’re like me, you have a long list of goals, but either not enough time or energy to get them all done. As the months go by, it’s easy for goals to be set to the side. But why not reset your goals each month or set new ones to make progress on?
Why reset your goals and consider new ones?
Setting new goals each month, or better defining the ones you’re continuing to make progress on, can lead to greater results. While setting the goal can take some brainstorming, the most challenging part is staying on top of your daily steps to help you get there. Now your daily goals don’t need to tie directly into your monthly ones, it helps when they’re along the same path.
For example, you may be working towards your goal of getting through grad school and landing a new job right away while avoiding burnout. To get there, maybe you want to do more research on a career path or find an internship that goes alongside schooling. You could also set a goal to get 7-8 hours of sleep and find time to take a walk daily.
Understand why you want to achieve your main goals and then think through breaking it down how exactly you can get there. Your goals don’t need to be different each month but make sure you’re able to take actionable steps that align with your bigger plan.
How do you track goals?
I love my PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner which helps me think through my goals and make progress on them. This year, I got the 2021 version and it’s already helping me accomplish things I’ve put off all of 2020. The dated version offers more guidance and check-ins to make sure you’re on track. Having a plan for my goals keeps me aligned with what I want to accomplish each month throughout the year.
You don’t need a goal planner to start tracking goals though. You can print out a calendar template or jot down your list in your notebook. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated or even expensive. Click the image below to download a free goal planner sheet to get started!
Celebrate small accomplishments
No matter what your goals are, it makes a huge difference to celebrate small wins along the way. In January, my goal was to get back into gear with a fitness routine. I was excited when I worked out 5x a week, every week the entire month. I also finally hit 75 Peloton rides since getting my bike in August. This was a big goal for me in January because I’ve always hated cardio.
It also proved to me that I could stick to something with enough discipline and time. It kickstarted me back into working out and even helped me define new goals for February such as hitting 100 Peloton rides (which I did!)
Be patient with the process
Remember that each month you may not get to all the goals and action items completed on your list. That’s okay. Sometimes this actually helps you see what was most important to you in the month. It can also allow you to redefine some of your goals moving forward. You can always change your goals, just keep in mind your “why” for each goal you set. This will be the driving force when you feel like giving up. It will also be a reason it’s worth achieving it.
Most importantly – start now
March is all about growth thanks to it marking the first day of spring. However, regardless of the month (even if it’s in the middle), it’s important to focus on your goals now. When you think about growth, whether it’s plants, people, or even finances, you know it doesn’t happen overnight. Growth and progress take time.
Start working on your goals now, or reset the ones you may have pushed aside and be sure to keep track of the progress you make. When you look back and see how far you’ve come even at the end of the month, you’ll be glad you took the first step when you did.
What new goals are you excited to work towards this month? Let me know in the comments!