I am a goal-oriented person… always have been, always will be. I make a list of yearly goals and aspirations not only for work, but for my personal life as well. Some may be lofty and long-term [BHAGs we call them = BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS] and others I can check off pretty easily, but setting goals and writing them down has forever been a good way to keep it at the top of my mind and to work hard for the things I want to transpire in the new year.
With trying to get more balance in my world in 2025 [you can read that post here],I thought today’s post would be a great way to hold myself accountable AND give you some helpful tips + tricks I swear by when it comes to objectives:
First of all, you’ve got to look the part. You need a few items to help you on track and on target… no, you don’t have to go spend a lot of money on fancy leather calendars and planners, but rather a few simply $10 notebooks and a monthly planner can do the trick just fine!
Case in point: you guys LOVED these new daily journals and month-at-a-glance paper planner I scooped up from Target right when the new year struck. Simple, efficient and easy to take with you on the go!
More ways that make me more productive??? Cute paper products of course. That’s where Joy Creative Shop comes in—they have the cutest paper products that actually make me excited to stay organized! Their outline notepad is my go-to for daily to-do’s, helping me stay focused and intentional with my everyday goals and must-tackle tasks. And their adorable wavy notepads? Perfect for writing down the miscellaneous that always pops up throughout the day… simple yet cute and colorful = just how I like it! And yes, you can save 10% sitewide with my code NATASHA10.
These pretty paper goods make planning feel less like a chore and more like a little treat—because who doesn’t love an excuse to write things down when the stationery is this cute? Here are a few more favs from their shop to check out too:
When it comes to actually setting the goals, I’ve picked up a few strategies over the years that make the process both easier and more effective. This one actually goes back to my college days at UT twenty years ago = where I first learned these five tips that stuck with me and so it’s high time I paid it forward and passed it along to you… Some of you might even recognize the SMART method for goal-setting—it’s been around forever [and yes, an acronym ALWAYS helps me remember]:
S | Be SPECIFIC about your goal… Drill down to the details and make sure you know exactly what your goal is about and how to improve it!! The more specific the better
M | Make it MEASURABLE. Set a way to track your progress so you can celebrate the milestones along the way and stay accountable. Maybe set a weekly or monthly goal to check where you’re at with a specific goal so you can see if timelines need to be adjusted
A | ASSIGN others. If achieving your goal requires help, identify who can contribute and outline their roles. If it’s all on you, list out actionable steps to keep yourself organized. Never be afraid to ask for help from someone else = part of being successful is learning how to delegate!
R | Keep it REALISTIC. Make sure your goal aligns with the resources and time you have, so it feels achievable and keeps you motivated. If it’s too lofty or simply unattainable, you’re far less likely to make it happen so be realistic with what you’re wanting to achieve
T | TIME is important. Set a realistic deadline to give your goal structure and create checkpoints to measure your progress
But don’t just take it from me—there’s a wealth of knowledge out there to help you refine your approach to goal setting. So many incredible books dive into the many strategies behind achieving your dreams, offering practical advice and fresh perspectives. I’ve researched a few for your benefit, packed with helpful tips + tricks to get you closer to achieving your goals:
So there you have it… some full proof tips + tricks on how to stay on top of your goals for the next 11 months. Let’s keep each other accountable because everything is more fun when you do it with others as well!
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