Sometimes you need some tough love when you’re setting goals and other times, you just need a soft reminder that you can achieve the goals you set.
Whether you’re creating goals for the new year and starting 2023 with exciting ideas for what you want the year to look like, or you’re feeling like you need to make a change, come back to this list anytime for some reminders.
These 16 gentle reminders will help you set goals.
1. It’s okay if your plans change
You can keep your goals the same but be flexible about the plans. Or, if you realize that a goal isn’t working for you, change it. You are the one who sets the rules. There are many ways to accomplish the same goal. You can treat it as an experiment. Once you find the best way to achieve your goal, be consistent.
2. Habits are easier & more important than goals
Instead of bigger goals, focus on the habits you’re doing every single day. It’s a lot simpler to look at your everyday habits than to focus on those long-term results you want to achieve. Take one step at a given time.
3. Even small actions can make a big difference in your life.
Steps are steps. Every move you make towards your goals is an effort in the right direction. You can still take small steps towards achieving your goals, even if you have a lower capacity.
4. It’s not a competition
Work at your own pace, and recognize that there’s no competition except maybe with yourself and working to live up to your own potential. Even if you are competing with yourself, remember that your capacity will vary at different times in your life (and your menstrual cycle as well).
5. You don’t have to wait for a new year to set goals
Any time you want to set goals, you can. You don’t need a new year, a new month, a new week or any excuse to decide that you want to set new goals for yourself.
6. Dreams are for a reason.
I truly believe that when we feel this pull to do something, it’s for a reason. It is a sign that you are capable of making it happen. Especially when you can’t stop thinking about it.
7. As Taylor Swift says, “You’re on your own kid.”
Your goals will be respected by everyone, but no one else will. And that’s okay, but it’s a reminder that you can’t listen too much to what other people have to say. They’re not the ones who are living your life. They have their own fears they’re projecting onto you. If you want something, you’re the one who has to decide to keep going after it.
8. You can’t do life wrong
There’s no one way to live your life, and all of the “mistakes” you’ve made have hopefully taught you something. Any time you are ready to make a difference in your life, it is possible. You can’t do this wrong, so don’t beat yourself up if you feel “behind”, this is just the path your life is taking. Keep going.
9. You don’t have to do everything by yourself
Ask for help whenever you need it. Even professional athletes at the top of their games still have coaches. People who seem to “do it all” often have help in making it happen. To achieve your goals, you must recognize when it is necessary to outsource, delegate, or remove an item. It’s not a weakness to ask for help.
10. Keep in touch with your goals
After you set your goals, check in to make sure they’re still working for you. Don’t just set and forget your goals, but actually make a point to check in on them weekly – or at least monthly.
This is not only to track your progress but also to ensure it feels in line with your values and what your life goals are.
11. Success is yours to define
It’s hard to remember sometimes that success isn’t what our parents or society has told us and shown us. Feel like you’d rather be able to travel the world than make 6 figures at an office job? That’s your choice.
12. Do your future self the favor of planning ahead
I swear it’s the little things when it comes to planning that makes all the difference when it comes to setting goals. What time do you want them? What place is it taking? Make the booking and follow the steps to make it as simple as possible.
13. It should be fun to set goals
Research says that there is a sweet spot for the goals you set – it should feel both challenging, while also realistic. It is likely that your goals will become a reality if they are set with low confidence.
14. Find people to inspire you.
You’ve probably heard the phrase from Jim Rohn, “we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” Hang out (both physically & on social media) with people who give you inspiration and motivation to go after your goals.
15. Measuring your goals is helpful until it’s not
Make sure your goals are aligned with your values, and you’re not setting goals with arbitrary numbers that don’t actually mean anything to you. What’s the reason for having a goal to reach 10,000 followers on Instagram? What does it actually mean? Make sure you’re checking in to see why you’re setting goals like this in the first place.
16. You have the ability to make great things happen
Most important of all, here’s a reminder that you can make your goals happen. It’s a lot easier to have faith that you can make your goals happen when you have a lot of past proof or have had advantages in life. Regardless of your past success, you’re just as capable of making your dreams come true. Nothing is more satisfying than showing others (and yourself!) wrong by pursuing your goals.
What reminders could you add to this list when you set goals?
