I started reading the Goal Setting Series by Lara Casey this morning (Part 1 here) and wanted to share some quick insights. While 2017 wasn’t my most productive year, I am trying to look past my shortcomings, extend myself some grace, and be happy with what I did accomplish.
I wrote about some self-care goals for 2017, and at last check I had given myself a solid B-. I would say that was where I ended the year. I am sleeping more and working out regularly. I still need to get away from my desk more at lunch AND not work so many hours – I am going to work on those items more in 2018, as I am building my purposeful path.
Lara’s series can help you take a good look at some areas of your life and determine what is working and not working. That is if you are truly honest with yourself. I mean really honest. If you want to fix something, you have to recognize it’s broken first.
So as you start with the big picture, ask yourself: What do I have time, energy, and resources to accomplish? What makes me happy and brings me joy? The answers will help you build your list of goals. Here are a few points to consider while setting those goals:
- Focus on the positive. Didn’t achieve all your goals this past year? Well neither did I, but I achieved some of them, made progress on others. Think about what worked and what didn’t work. Did you set your goals too high? Remember to make them achievable. Being successful will help keep the momentum going throughout the year.
- Break it down. The old saying “Eating the elephant one bite at a time” applies to goals too. As a project manager, I like to think of my goal like a project – what are the tasks and milestones you need to achieve along the way to get across the finish line? And then try to focus on one thing at a time.
- Write it down. This helps you commit, and then you can track your progress and go back and review what you want to achieve and how you are doing. I am using my planner for yearly goals, which I can break down into monthly and weekly milestones and To Do’s to help me reach them.
- Celebrate progress. And as you are reaching certain milestones along the way, don’t forget to CELEBRATE those steps you have achieved. Be proud of what you have done, and don’t dwell on what you haven’t.
I hope I have given you some things to get you started on your goal setting journey. I will be reading through Lara Casey’s series the next few days, so I hope you check it out too! One of my goals this year is to determine if I am going to make the time to keep blogging, or if I should let it go for now. More to come on that…
Cheers!
Cynthia
My Inspired Fibro Life 
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