Goals? What? Why? How? & Why I Desperately Need Them?
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What Are Goals?
Goals are agreements that we make with ourselves (and at times with others) to achieve an objective or target. Yes, that may sound slightly technical but that just for the purpose of definition.
In my terms, a goal is an aim that I state that I am going to do and by when – still a bit confused?
No problem, here are a couple examples of how I do this:
My Annual, Monthly & Daily Goals Lists
Annual
I subject myself to this ritual every single year usually starting in towards the end of December whilst I am burning the Christmas dinner.
This is where I decide on everything that I want to personally accomplish within the year approaching.
For example:
- – Gain a new qualification
- – Pay off all debt
- – Learn a new beauty skill
- – Improve the house décor
Monthly
My monthly goals / to-dos are a bit less general than my year ones (we’ll go into that later) but they are things that I want done within the month
For example:
- Tackle the kitchen cupboards
- Find ways to reduce outgoings.
Daily
My daily to do list has a not-so extensive list of goals. With this goal example I have not included an end date but that’s because it’s on my daily to do list – so it must be done today.
For Example:
- Call and book repair person for kitchen leak damage.
Why Do I (& Some Others) Need Goals?
Having a goal or goals not only motivates and keeps me on track but it also lets me see what it is that I have (want) to do, by when and I am able to see when I have achieved it.
I have goals for every aspect of my life – Health, Finances, Wellbeing, Home, Family, Personal Development, Career etc.
Now I am not saying that I live a rigid lifestyle, and that everything is planned and schedule with no spontaneity (because my credit card debt shows otherwise).
I still have a fun and enjoyable life it’s just that most of it is organised, organised enough for me to be about to have fun random times without regretting it by the next morning.
They also motivate me (as I mentioned before), when I am moaning about my weekly to do (goals) list and I remember that this is just a step towards my big goals, it honestly shuts me the hell up and gives me that kick.
So yes, I need these goals in my life, plus I also need a good excuse to buy gorgeous stationary at the beginning of every year and sometimes halfway through.
How To Write Goals Effectively?
- Example A: Pay off debt
- Example B: Pay off all debts by Christmas 2024
Too much wiggle room, I mean, what debt and by when?
I’d soon convince myself it was just my overdraft and the due date is when hell freezes over. Basically, this goal could go on and on, making it more likely for me to fuck it off to be honest. Not productive.
Example B – Already has my eyelid twitching, it clearly states all my debts (no wiggle room there) and lets me know that I have not accomplished this goal unless all debts are paid off by Christmas 2024 I can’t reschedule Christmas so, I can confidently say that my wiggle room has gone.
However, just to be slightly annoying you could re-evaluate and alter your goals i.e., end dates but I don’t advise this unless it is necessary.
Need another example to get my drift –
- Example A: Paint my bedroom
- Example B: Decorate my bedroom for my birthday
- Find a partner.
- Meet a loving, caring, respectful and romance champion by my 45th birthday.
How To Incorporate Your Goals Into Your Monthly, Weekly & Daily To-Do Lists?
So, I am not going to give you more text, I am just going to show you an example of how to incorporate your goals into your months, weeks, days to do lists.
I used to use catalogues and cards for Christmas but then one year I decided that next Christmas would be credit free.
My Goal: Have A Credit Free Christmas Next Year.
Cost of Christmas (including the meal, snacks, drinks, gifts, decoration and the extras) £2500
Due Date/ Time Frame: 1st December / 11 months
Annual – Save £2500
Monthly – Save £227.27p per month until 30th November
Weekly – Save £53.19p per week until 30th November
Daily – Save £ 7.51p per day until 30th November
Breaking down your goals into smaller manageable tasks not only makes big goals/tasks more less scary and manageable they also increase the changes of them being completed/achieved.
Feeling super productive? Check out this blog post. It covers everything you need to sort your sh** out. xxx
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13 Comments
Basic with Life
Yes, New Year Resolutions can be a bit much. I break mine down – it takes the doom and some of the pressure away.lol
Basic with Life
Everyone is different but I know me lol. For me the more rigid, the less likely I am to complete the goal. Try it out and see how it goes.
Basic with Life
What a brilliant idea, thanks for sharing.
lynnmumbingmejia
Lovely break down you have here for achieving goals! I actually stopped on setting goals for myself as I just felt like they weren’t effective for me and I would feel down when I didn’t reach them. Now, I just set weekly to-do’s and tell myself if I don’t get it done, there’s always next time. Thanks for sharing x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Caroline
I love creating monthly goals! It’s one of my favourite things, tho I don’t tend to create yearly goals because I don’t really like New Year resolutions 🤷♀️ Great post x
Leah
I definitely tend to set goals that are a bit too lofty, though I’m getting better at breaking them down. I love your specific (and humorous) examples. Maybe I should be a little gentler with my book publication goals and not be so rigid. haha
Maria Vana
Amazing! I’m actually using a sort of achievement-based goals listing for myself that I have on my wall. when I reach my goal I get something nice, like a massage from my husband!
readandreviewit
Love this! Goals are so important for providing a sense of direction and motivation, although I agree that we need to be more specific for them to actually work. Thanks for sharing!
Jordanne || Ofaglasgowgirl
Thank you for sharing such a great post! Sticking to my goals is a big thing for me but lately I’ve been struggling a bit. I do have a blog planner that I use and I’m always on top of my blog goals, it helps soooo much and my productivity has definitely increased but my personal goals have taken a bit of a back seat. Having goals really are a great motivation.
Cristina Rosano
These are all amazing tips! I have been struggling with my goals, but breaking them down can make it sound much easier and reachable, also adding time can make it more relatable! Thanks for sharing x
Seriah Sargenton
Excellent post! Setting goals are so important for keeping track of our lives and daily routines. I couldn’t see myself doing anything without goals.
Fadima Mooneira
This is a good post! Goals are important for us. It’s a guide and motivates us to work hard. Thank you for sharing.
Alicia Thompson
Hello, what a great post! I love that you break down financial goals to daily and weekly. I find doing that makes it a lot more realstic for me to reach. Thanks for sharing a great post! Alicia