We All Need a Goal Setting Tool and Tracker in Our Lives to Focus On
Without some sort of idea or plan of where you are headed in the future, you won't know where you will end up next. That is not good, because years could go by, decades perhaps, and you could still find yourself in the same old place, doing the same old things and not making much progress in your life.
Get yourself out of the rut and rat-race you might find yourself in, no matter your age! Young or old, or somewhere in between, the first step to change something is to do something, so determine to do something right now!
Defeating Inertia
You must defeat what's called "inertia", which is something that keeps you otherwise floating endlessly in the same direction. Inertia requires another action upon it, to cause a change in course and destination. And it doesn't take much to affect that change, and get out of this state of inertia you might find yourself in.
You can start to change things right now, with very little effort on your part. One step at a time is all it takes. Your effort to set goals just needs to be focused and deliberate, but it doesn't have to be confusing. Just keep things simple.
That's why I'm a huge fan of the saying, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" because it's so true. Take your single step today on this journey toward your goals.
First, ask yourself these questions about your life and your current goals:
- What are my goals in life?
- What do I want to do?
- Am I happy and content?
- What do I want to see or do?
- What is my purpose?
- Where do I see myself 5 years?
- How can I change my situation?
- What do I want to change?
- What do I want more or less of in life?
- What will get me to where I must be?
- What's my first step?
If you want to achieve progress in your life, then you need to set goals. That is your first step, just to set some goals and escape inertia.
You can always change these goals later. The important thing is to set some goals first. Even if you don't achieve them perfectly, or of the goals may not be realistic, at least you're taking steps to make progress. That is always better than nothing!
Setting Goals Should Be Fun and Exciting
Listing goals is fun, and it gives you something to look forward to. Setting goals will give you hope. This is your chance to dream and explore. So have fun with it and don't let anything hold you back. You have a right to dream, set goals and achieve success.
You should list some short-range goals, medium-range goals, long-range goals, and super-long-range goals. This will help you map out what you want to do and be, or achieve, and by when, step-by-step.
How Long Has it Been Since You Last Set Some Goals?
Successful people know that it's best to set personal goals and professional goals. Also, you must refresh your goals now and then. It's probably been a while, right? So take some time to do that right now - set goals so you know where you're going and to figure out how to get there!
Consider goal setting tools like the one below, as a bird's eye view of your goals and plans for your life. Goal setting must be purposeful, and deliberate so set aside 30 minutes to do this. That's all you need. Just set the time aside to do this, right now. I have a great tool to help you do this, below.
Step One - A Simple Goal Setting Tool Planner and Tracker for Your Life
What follows is a simple tool to list and track all of your goals in one bird's-eye view. Simply list your goals, ideas, and plans based on an order of priority or preference. Do it something like this:
#1 should be your top #1 goal for that time-frame, and your "must-do"
#2 should be the one you want most, though it might not be the most important
#3 should be a nice-to-have, and so-on (see below)
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Personal and/or Professional Goals Tracker (Short-Med-Long-Very Long Range)
Short Range Goals (within next 3-6 months):
1. Example: pay off a credit card
2.
3.
Medium Range Goals (within next 1-2 years):
1. Example: get a professional certification
2.
3.
Long Range Goals (within next 3-5 years):
1. Example: complete a college degree
2.
3.
Very Long Range Goals (within next 6-10 years):
1. Example: buy a house, get married, have kids, etc.
2.
3.
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Use This Goal Setting Tool
Print this out or cut-and-paste it and use it to figure out your goals and plans, and keep your goals updated regularly. Feel free to copy this tool and use it for your benefit. This will help to keep you focused and on-track. Add however many goals you want to your list. Have at least 3 goals per time-frame, if possible.
Why Goal Setting is So Important in Life
I was taught the value of goal-setting in junior-high school, and I have used it ever since. Goal-setting has helped me all my life, and I have accomplished many things that I would have never otherwise been able to, had I not known the goal-setting process.
Without goal-setting, I would have never known where I was headed, or where I wanted to end up. I needed a roadmap in my life, and so do you. Everyone does.
You should always know your top 3 goals and plans in life, and have an idea of where you're going in life, and how to get there. Otherwise, years will pass by and you'll still be in the same place. Look at it this way - time will pass by regardless, so why not set goals and make the best of it, and achieve things you intend to, along the way?
Remember, any plan, even a simple plan, is better than no plan at all!
Having plans and goals help you focus efforts, achieve milestones and take necessary steps along the way towards achieving your goals. This includes the small goals, medium goals and even large and very large goals and long-range plans that you might have.
So start goal-setting today, and/or refresh your goals if you haven't in a while! We can all use this tool and benefit from the goal-setting process.
Be sure to Subscribe for more smart, simple tips and tools like this, for your life planning and getting things done - GTD! Subscribe and don't miss my article Goal Setting Step 2 - How to Set SMART Goals. #Goals #GTD
