The following is a guest post with 3 necessary steps for intentional goal planning from regular contributor, Morgan from Morganize with Me.
I started 2019 with gusto! In fact, I even got my husband, David, to join my goal planning with me. Last January, I went out and purchased two poster boards, one for each of us. I decided to use purple post-its and David opted to print out quotes and notes to tape onto his board. Then, we hung our boards up on either side of our closet so we would purposefully see them every single day.
As I reflect back and look at my board today, I love seeing just a few of those purple post-it notes remaining. Having that board up where I saw it daily helped to keep me inspired over the course of the entire year. Which is why, I wanted to share what I’ve learned from my year of intentional goal planning with you. My hope is to encourage you to be more intentional with your year ahead.
Plan – look ahead.
You may choose to do this on a monthly or a seasonal basis. It doesn’t need to be annually. What is important, is that you make time to look ahead. Consider creating a visual reminder, or a detailed list, or even journaling your dreams. When you put pen to paper it is a great tool!
David and I sat down at the beginning of the year and we intentionally looked ahead at where we both wanted to go with our goals. As individuals, we have different passions, assignments, and visions for our time and energies. We also each had a unique approach with how we put together our vision boards. So, find what works for you and start your planning!
Prioritize – signal your intention.
Next, it’s important to prioritize and determine what you have the margin and motivation to take on. Prioritization signals your intentions.
Begin by carefully considering your current season and your personal capacities. Be realistic about what you will be able to accomplish in the upcoming months or year.
While it is often a good motivator to stretch yourself, it is also wise to start small and consider what will best set you up for success. It’s generally easier to add then it is to subtract. There is not necessarily a magic number or a specific timeline to follow, what’s most important is to acknowledge what will work for you in your current phase of life.
Prepare – commit!
The best way to make a goal happen, is to commit to the goal. Usually, the difference between something being an idea and becoming an event, is the preparation. Get out out your calendar. Start breaking down your goals into smaller steps. If you want to move something from start to finish, you need to recognize what the steps will look like. Often, we want to jump from the start line to the finish line. We then get frustrated when we don’t make it to the finish line in one big leap. But that’s not how success works!
We have to be tenacious and dedicated. Small, regular steps is what produces effort. Discipline is the difference! Your commitment is what will move you forward, to the finish line.
And, let me leave you with this. It’s ok if you change your mind and you realize midway through that your goal needs an adjustment. Or that you no longer want to, (fill in the blank…). I’m not giving you permission to be flaky or to take on an attitude of throwing in the towel when things get hard. What I am suggesting is that being realistic will give you the permission and grace to flex as necessary. A sweet spot, somewhere between flexibility and rigidity, is always a good spot to stay in.
All in all, as this year winds down and a new year begins, I encourage you to, look ahead, signal your intention, and commit. Make this next year an intentional one!
Morgan is a professional organizer (chaos calmer), writer (list lover), and exercise enthusiast (fitness fan), keep up with her on her site, Morganize with Me. Her mission is to share tried and true techniques that she hopes will encourage her readers and clients as they focus on their health and homes. Check out her new Book, join one of her Challenges, listen to her Podcast, and be sure to check out her Shop full of fabulous organizing printables!
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