Do you ever set goals and feel like they’re unattainable? It could be that you need to work on setting intentional goals. It can help to break down your larger goals into smaller, bite-sized pieces, prioritize your tasks, and track your progress.
So, where to start? Start by defining your vision and your values. What’s your big picture? What’s the plan in the long term? What’s your ‘why’? When you know your motivation behind the goal, it’s easier to stay focused and committed.
Once you’ve found your ‘why’, it can help to use the SMART framework. Create Specific goals. What exactly do you want to achieve? Don’t be vague. Make your goals as specific as possible. Make your goals Measurable. You want to be able to track your progress so you know when you’ve reached your goal. Make your goals Achievable. Set realistic goals. You want to challenge yourself, but keep your goals within reach, or you’ll easily burn out and give up. Make your goals Relevant. Do your goals line up with your values and long-term goals? Make your goals Time-bound. Set a deadline for your goal. While the SMART framework doesn’t necessarily work for everyone, it can be a good place to start if you’re new to setting intentional goals.
Big goals look overwhelming. Break them up into smaller goals so they are more manageable. Remember, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Set short-term milestones so you can track your progress. Celebrate your milestones! It can help you stay motivated. If you’re a planner type of person, use a planner or schedule to set up time for every task. Even if you’re not a planner kind of person, you should write down your goals. It makes them more tangible and visible. You can even make a vision board so you can see your goals and motivations regularly.
It’s also okay if you have to adjust your plans. If it’s a long-term goal, review it regularly. If you need to change up your milestones, adjust your timeline, or change your goal entirely, that’s okay. Do what’s best for you and give yourself compassion and grace. It’s important to be realistic while still reaching for the stars. It can also help to find an accountability buddy. Get one of your friends to check in on you about your progress and motivate you to keep going.
Achieving goals helps us become more confident and more like the people we want to be. Setting intentional goals can make goals more achievable and less overwhelming. If you’re someone who has a difficult time reaching goals, try some of the tips above and see if it makes a difference in your goal setting.
How do you set intentional goals? What are your favorite goal setting tips?