Certified Goal-getter

Goals. Some people love them, some people hate them, and some are totally indifferent. Nonetheless, I think that most can agree that goals are generally a helpful way to move closer to the vision you have for yourself in any particular area of life. Whether it be family, career, faith, health, finances, or otherwise--it is easier to feel less overwhelmed by the weight of where you want to be if you start to build some smaller steps along the way to that vision. At the end of the year heading into the new year, goals are often at the forefront of discussions about what to look forward to or what to expect. After all, many people feel refreshed and encouraged by the chance to start afresh and have a new beginning as the calendar page turns. I am one of those people. I thrive in the novelty of a new day, a new week, a new month, a new quarter, and certainly a new year. I love the challenge and excitement of being your own encouragement and aiming to be better than you were at the last milestone. There are many different ways to approach generating goals, goal setting, and goal maintenance and tracking, but over the years, I've tried some specific methods that have worked well for me that I'd like to share. Preference, interest, and appropriateness may vary based on learning style and capacity among other factors.

• Using a planner: starting out with specific time markers and deadlines and working backwards to what you'd like to accomplish in the specified timeframe can help generate ideas. Additionally, some thorough and high capacity planners include questions, prompts, reflections, and activities that can aid in the process as well so it is different from starting from scratch. I love to use interactive planners to help me get on track and stay on track with my goals. Some recommended brands: Oprah planner, Ramsey planner, Passion Planner, Commit 30, Ink and Volt, Horacio, START, Best Self, Fresh Start/Cultivate. Bonus: some of these brands often share free resources to help in your planning and goal setting as well.

• Using a digital or paper vision board: as a visual person, one may prefer to create a tool that directly represents what your vision is for the next phase of growth and expansion in your life. Those close to me know that for several years, I consistently had vision board creation sessions with friends going into the new year which was something I looked forward to and even compared finished products over the years to gauge my progress as I entered and exited diferent seasons of life. I recommend Canva for digital boards and really any craft or convenience store for materials for a print/paper vision board.

• Reflection worksheets: These are a few of my favorite things :) I get so excited about reflection worksheets especially at the end of the year! There are so many free resources that can help you get in the space of reflection and looking ahead simultaneously to make the next stage of life better than the last. Some great place to start include Jennie Allen's annual Dream Guide, Passion Planner worksheets, Rebel Guide to Project Management's Career Planner, and Ink and Volt worksheets.

• Retreat/Planning Sessions: Just as an organization puts together occasional planning or goal setting time in a structured and time oriented way, you can give this gift to yourself. Put a date on the calendar with yourself, a friend, an accountability partner, a family member or anyone in your support system who would help you push toward your vision and who would make the process fun. Retreats are a great way to get the creative juices flowing and plans in motion to set you up for success. This is a new avenue I've ventured into recently and we plan to pursue as a newly married couple heading into 2024!

Hopefully this summary of methods that have helped me get planning in motion, stay organized, and keep motivated will in turn help generate some ideas for your own progress wherever you find yourself along your journey. If I can be helpful in some way regarding goals or you need accountability check ins, please feel free to reach out to me--I'd love to help you get started. We owe it to ourselves to give to ourselves too.

Fun fact: One of my goals in 2024 is to write more and expand this platform, so I hope to see more of you in the days to come, and hopefully you will see more of me and my words. Here's to a fruitful and goal-filled year ahead!