This is the part where you convince yourself your goals are no big deal. I tried. I gave it my best shot. I’ll get to it eventually. And maybe you will. I personally think you should work on the smallest part of your goals now and when Spring comes, push yourself with a bigger commitment then.
3 Reasons Your Goal Setting Process is not going to work:
- You procrastinated your whole life and want to stop with one perfect list of to-dos
- You are addicted to planning and taking action does not give you dopamine
- You are want a short term plan that gives you long term results
Why do we procrastinate?
Procrastination is delaying an action towards something you know you need to get done. And over the years you get use to procrastinating to the last second, getting the action done in a flurry of anxiety and pressure, it’s complete with not many hiccups and you move on. Then the next action needs to be taken and you do it all over again.
Why is getting a planning your life so exciting?
Planning your life is safe. You get to visualize what a different version of you will achieve without taking a single step towards that goal. You can close the notebook or close the notion dashboard when you are done planning.
This is fun for the first few hours but when you get into a pattern of planning your life every couple of months only to do nothing with that plan. It can get very frustrated.
Learn how to take action. You don’t need another plan. You have the plan. Take the small seemingly pointless action right now.
Why do I expect a short term plan to give me long term results?
Quick fixes, fads and trends plague us with the idea that goals should happen overnight. In fact if you look at anyone who has blown up on social media, it’s the success that they focus on, not the hard work, daily habits and years of trying.
If someone shares a transformation video and they tell you it took three years of habits you scroll past. That seems impossible to stick to something consistently for three years.
How to Set Goals You Can Actually Stick To?
The first part of this understanding that you are trying to accomplish goals without changing your mindset, daily habits or routines. That is because of two key factors: procrastination and time management.
I want you to find a notebook that you already have and journal out these two prompts.
- I procrastinate because…
- Imagine your goal coming true but it will take five years. Would you start now?
These steps are not a checkpoint. As in you complete them and never have to worry about falling back into the same cycle. Procrastination and habit building are constantly changing and evolving. Plus, your life is going to go through seasons where it feels like nothing is going right and others where it feels aligned. Take it moment by moment.
Once you come to terms with procrastination and time management you can start writing out your goals. Use this process here to break your big goal down into milestones and habits.
And then you can start taking action with daily or weekly habits. This part is where you want to be perfect but I would prefer it if you were bad at it. Show up four out of seven days. Miss a Monday but show up again next Monday. It’s all about showing up again no matter what.
3 Ways to Set Goals you can actually stick too:
Time Spent vs Output Goal
I use to have a 1000 words a day goal for writing. That left me struggling, frustrated and avoidant. I know do 30 minute sessions. I can write 200 words or 1500 words in that time. The goal is to write for 30 minutes every day. That is manageable.
Go with the Flow Goal
Goals that are designed to catapult your life into your version of success is a lot of pressure. Give yourself a fun, silly goal like how many times can you dance around you living room or how many pictures of butterflies can you take this year. Something simple, creative and fun just because.
Build Trust with Yourself Goal
Create a goal that flexes your trust muscle. What is something you have always wanted to do but you convince your self not to each time. Set a goal that is so simple but connected to this big goal you have always had. For me this is crocheting. I start so many projects but this year I have committed to completing the projects I have and using the yarn I already purchased until it is completely gone. I have finished one ball of yarn out of my pile so far.
You have what it takes to stick to your big life goals. Believe you can achieve it and take intentional daily action.