by Brooke Forry

Allergic to setting goals? I get it. I used to have a visceral reaction to anything having to do with "yearly goal setting" (*shudder*), but the issue wasn't with goal setting itself. The issue was that I thought goals had to be super lofty and involve putting pressure on myself to accomplish more already, you slacker.

The truth, though, is that realistic goal setting can be a great opportunity to track personal growth, make measured improvements to your overall wellness, adopt new habits, and — yes, perhaps accomplish some big things… but only if you want to!

If you're looking to dip a toe into the waters of goal-setting, here are just a few tips that may help you take a new approach to setting realistic goals.

Set Micro Goals.

If you want to work towards a large goal but feel intimidated just getting started, set micro goals: multiple small goals that will help you achieve a larger or long-term goal. For instance, if you have a larger goal of writing a book, some micro goals examples are writing for 30 minutes every morning before looking at your phone; writing a certain number of words each week; or working to complete one chapter per month.

Drop the (Traditional) Deadlines.

My personal goal setting steps do not always come with a deadline: I don't need to have a new set of goals written in permanent marker by January 1, and I don't need to "accomplish" goals by December 31. There is nothing magical about a new year, or the end of a calendar year, for that matter. While a general timeline can often be a motivator if you're prone to procrastination, deadlines are also arbitrary. Remember that plans and goals can evolve organically and you don't need to follow anyone else's timeline but your own.

In addition to remembering that no deadline needs to be set in stone, feel free to spread out your goal setting process, rather than feeling like you have to take steps to goal setting all at once. Just set them when you actually feel inspired to do so!

Focus on Establishing Systems and Habits, Not Outcomes.

Take some of the pressure off by focusing on how to create systems instead of goals. An example of a goal that seems unattainable without a solid system behind it: read 52 books a year. (Yikes: that's a LOT of books!) But if you shift your focus to creating the system or healthy habit of reading for an hour before bed each night (instead of scrolling on your phone) in order to finish one book per week, you'll be more focused on the joy and benefits of reading — while also completing a slew of books over the course of 12 months. Set systems not goals and you'll be amazed at the outcome.

Get Specific.

Goals that include the word "more" are probably too general. For example, if you want to improve your heart health and physical strength, saying you need to "exercise more" without a specific plan probably means that treadmill in your bedroom will continue to serve as a clothing catchall. Instead, if you move forward with the goal of exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes at least four days per week, you will be more likely and motivated to actually build that reasonable amount of exercise into your weekly schedule and routine, and see measured results. 

Organize Goals by Category.

If you don't know how to organize goals, we recommend using the Balance Bound signature sections — work, self, others, and home — as your main framework. (As a matter of fact, each line on the goal setting page of each Balance Bound Planner already includes a place for you to mark which category or categories a goal fits within.) This helps me ensure that I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket, so to speak, and encourages me to set personal goals in addition to professional goals, home updates, etc.

Organizing goals by category can also serve as an eye-opener for how many goals cross over to benefit multiple areas of your life. "Hang more family photos" may be a home-specific goal for me this year, but seeing more of the photos I've taken in print will also boost my spirits regularly (self), and make my family feel happy and reminiscent of some of the wonderful times we've had together (others). Win-win-win!

If the Balance Bound sections aren't the right fit for you, first create a broad list of the areas of goal setting that feel most relevant to your life, and go from there.

Set Goals With Friends. (...Or Not.)

Like most things, goals can be more fun with friends. If you're motivated by a little healthy peer pressure, plan some goal setting group activities — whether working together to achieve certain goals, or just setting up monthly goal check-ins to hold each other accountable. (If you prefer to keep your goals to yourself, that's okay, too ;) 

 Whatever your chosen goal setting methods, personal preferences, or form of goal management, truly anything goes! Which of these tips will you try? What other pointers do you have for getting over a fear of goal-setting? Let us know!

The Balance Bound Planner has designated spaces to keep track of your yearly, monthly, and weekly goals. The intuitive layout for daily task management divided into our four signature sections helps you stay on top of your goals… without the pressure. Explore the shop, or test it out for free by signing up below: