How To Set Better Goals

Introduction.

Goal setting is something we all know we should do, but it’s not always as easy as it sounds. It’s not just about jotting down a few things you want to achieve in life; it’s about setting clear, realistic, and actionable goals that can actually help you move forward.

If you’ve ever set a goal only to forget about it a few weeks later, you’re not alone. In fact, research shows that 92% of people who set New Year’s resolutions don’t achieve them.

That’s a lot of unachieved goals! So, what’s the trick to making sure your goals stick and that you actually achieve them?

The key is not just setting any goal, but setting better goals. And by “better,” I mean goals that are realistic, specific, and easy to break down into small, manageable steps. It’s all about creating goals that actually work for you and your life.

So, if you’ve struggled with goal setting in the past or if you’re just looking to get more serious about reaching your aspirations, stick around.

I’m going to walk you through the steps that will help you set goals that you can actually achieve, and give you a solid foundation for making progress toward the things that really matter to you.

What Makes a Goal “Better”?

Before diving into the steps for setting better goals, it’s important to understand what makes a goal “better” in the first place.

The truth is, many of us have a tendency to set vague goals, like “get in shape” or “save money.” While these goals are good to have in the back of your mind, they’re too broad to be actionable.

A good goal should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. This approach is often referred to as the SMART goal framework.

SMART goals are:

Specific: The more precise your goal, the easier it will be to know what you need to do.
Measurable: You need a way to track progress, so you can celebrate when you’ve hit milestones.
Achievable: It’s great to be ambitious, but a goal should be something that you can realistically achieve with the time and resources available to you.
Relevant: Your goal should align with your bigger picture or long-term aspirations.
Time-bound: Set a clear timeline or deadline for reaching your goal.

For example, instead of saying, “I want to save money,” a better goal might be, “I will save $1,000 by the end of 6 months by putting aside $200 every month.” That’s clear, measurable, and gives you a target to hit.

How Do I Set Better Goals?

Now that we’ve got the framework down, let’s get into the steps of actually setting goals that will help you stay on track and motivated.

1. Start with Why

A good place to begin is by understanding why you want to achieve a certain goal. This can sound a little cheesy, but trust me, knowing your “why” makes all the difference. If you can connect a deeper purpose to your goal, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated.

For example, if you’re setting a goal to lose weight, your reason might be to improve your health or feel more energetic, not just to fit into smaller clothes. The stronger the reason, the easier it will be to push through the challenges that come up along the way.

2. Break It Down

Once you’ve got your goal in mind, it’s time to break it down into smaller, manageable pieces. The bigger the goal, the more overwhelming it can feel.

So, think of it like this: if you’re going on a road trip, you don’t just say, “I’m going to get to my destination.” Instead, you plan out the steps along the way, whether it’s stopping for gas, food, or bathroom breaks.

The same goes for goals. If your goal is to write a book, break it down into smaller tasks, like “write 500 words a day” or “draft the first chapter by the end of the month.”

By breaking a large goal into smaller pieces, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you check off each step, and that motivation will keep you going.

3. Make It Visual

If you’re a visual person, consider creating a vision board or a progress chart for your goals. Seeing your progress over time can be a huge motivator.

If your goal is to run a 5k, you could track your runs and watch as you get closer to your distance goal each week.

You could even use a journal or a digital app to keep track of milestones and achievements. Seeing progress in real-time can help remind you that you’re on the right path.

4. Set Deadlines and Keep Them Realistic

Setting deadlines is a must. But remember to keep them realistic. If your goal is to save $5,000 in six months, but you’re only able to save $200 a month, then a deadline of six months is realistic.

But if you aim for $5,000 and only have $100 extra to spare every month, that might not be achievable. Deadlines that feel attainable will help keep you on track without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection

One of the biggest traps people fall into when setting goals is thinking they have to be perfect right away. But the truth is, consistency is way more important than perfection.

You don’t have to be perfect every day; just keep showing up. Whether it’s writing a page a day, working out three times a week, or saving a little bit every month, it’s the consistency that makes the biggest difference in the long run.

6. Celebrate Small Wins

Celebrating small wins along the way is important. It’s easy to get caught up in the end goal and forget to acknowledge how far you’ve come.

Reward yourself for hitting small milestones. It could be as simple as treating yourself to something you enjoy or taking a moment to appreciate how much you’ve grown. These small celebrations will help keep you motivated, especially when the going gets tough.

7. Adjust as Needed

Life happens. Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan, and that’s okay. Be open to adjusting your goals as needed. Maybe you get busy at work, or a personal situation changes. That’s all part of the process.

The key is to be flexible while staying focused on the bigger picture. If necessary, reset your goals or your timelines, but don’t give up altogether.

Common Goal-Setting Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, we sometimes make mistakes when it comes to setting goals. Here are some of the most common ones, and how to avoid them:

Setting goals that are too vague: Make sure your goals are specific and actionable. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to succeed.
Not being realistic: It’s great to aim high, but set goals that fit within your time and resources.
Overloading yourself: Taking on too many goals at once can quickly lead to burnout. Focus on one or two things at a time to stay on track.
Forgetting to track progress: If you’re not tracking your progress, it’s easy to lose sight of how far you’ve come.
Ignoring the “why”: Goals without a deeper meaning or purpose are much harder to stick with. Don’t just go through the motions – get clear on why you want to achieve what you’re setting out to do.

FAQs

1. How do I stay motivated after setting my goals?

Staying motivated can be tough, but it’s all about finding ways to stay engaged with your goals. Break them down into smaller tasks, track your progress, and make sure to celebrate your small wins. It’s important to remind yourself of your deeper “why” and keep visualizing the end result.

2. What if I don’t reach my goal?

It’s okay if you don’t reach your goal within the time you expected. The important thing is to learn from the experience, adjust your approach if needed, and keep going. Failure is just a part of the process, not the end.

3. How do I handle setbacks or obstacles?

Setbacks are normal. Instead of letting them derail you, treat them as an opportunity to adjust your plan.

Look at what caused the setback, see if there’s a way to work around it, and keep moving forward. Don’t be afraid to reset your goals as needed.

Conclusion.

Setting better goals is about more than just writing things down on a piece of paper. It’s about being clear, being realistic, and being consistent.

If you can follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to achieving the things that matter most to you. So, what are you waiting for? What goal are you going to set today?