Recently I talked about the emotional effects of engaging in avoidance to complete daily or weekly tasks. Today let’s talk a little more specifically about goal setting. An important component of goal setting is specificity. While “Improving my Health” is a noble and fantastic goal, it doesn’t do much in the way of offering a road map for how to actually do that. Vague, ambiguous, and lofty goals are great as long-term projections because they leave flexibility for shifting specifically how and what you want to achieve (on top of improved health, or whatever).
Enter SMART goals. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. In setting goals if we can aim to make them SMART goals we are much more likely to be successful in actually getting what we want and creating change within our lives. That means that each day, as we structure our to-do list, we have the opportunity to take specific and measurable actions toward our more vague long-term goals. If the goal is to improve health, maybe this week we focus on drinking 64oz of water a day. Or walking for 30 minutes a day. Smaller, specific, bite-sized chunks that keep us moving forward.
Who thought creating a to-do list could be so complicated? Here are a few more components that are thought to help drive productivity and personal success. Research suggests that expressing gratitude on a daily basis in the morning can help you rewire your brain to have a more positive outlook on life. Getting a good night’s sleep will also impact your ability to be successful in the completion of goals. As a mama-to-be, sleep is already elusive, and I believe everyone who says it will only get worse from here until….. well, the rest of my life. So I understand that sleep can be challenging. But there are sleep hygiene habits you can establish to help facilitate better nights, and the benefits are enormous.
So as you structure each day’s to do list, consider these things: What are your big rocks in life? What small thing can you do today to move toward that? What is getting in the way of achieving your goals?
And as you wrap up each day, cut yourself some slack if you don’t achieve everything you set out to do. Reflect on the day, and the successes (no matter how big or small). What surprising thing happened today? What are you grateful for? What did you learn?
I am a fan of the Self Journal, a quarterly journal designed to help you achieve your goals with daily space for gratitude and reflection. Calendars on the fridge, notes in a planner, thoughts in a journal…all of these things can also help. Do what works for you. Set yourself up for success, and shine a spotlight on the things that are most important to you.
The takeaway: Successful goal completion lies more in preparation than in execution. Don’t get so distracted by the monotonous day to day activities that you forget what matters most to you. Take small, measurable steps daily toward those things that are important to you. Plan ahead, be prepared, take on your goals in bite-sized chunks. Remember, daily reflection and expression of gratitude goes a long way in moving you toward your long-term goals.