“A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Zig Ziglar
I’m a huge fan of setting goals. I love imagining a future me who has already reached these dreams, and I love deciding exactly how to get there. I used to get disappointed with my goals when I couldn’t reach them, however, and my new goal became the goal of figuring out why my enthusiasm eventually melted into apathy as the goals started feeling more difficult and less doable.
Fortunately, I discovered the power of SMART goals–goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant to my values, and time-bound. Creating these types of goals helped me face more success and stay motivated to stick with my efforts. I also learned the power of cutting my goals down into smaller parts so I could have more frequent wins to celebrate while staying on the path to where I had wanted to go in the first place.
Today, let’s embrace the energy of achievable, enjoyable goals to enhance our lives. It turns out that I wasn’t just imagining that goals were easier to stick with when I broke my big goals down into smaller parts and set SMART goals. According to Locke and Latham (2002), setting specific and challenging goals increases motivation and performance. Today, we focus on small, doable goals that not only boost our productivity but also our enjoyment of life, ensuring every day is filled with accomplishments and happiness.
Here are some nice, actionable steps you can take to move forward in your goals:
- Daily Learning: Dedicate time to learn something new each day.
- Regular Exercise: Engage in a short but invigorating physical activity.
- Mindful Moments: Incorporate brief periods of mindfulness into your day.
- Healthy Eating Habits: Make conscious, healthy food choices.
- Quality Sleep: Prioritize getting enough restful sleep.
- Creative Outlet: Engage in a creative hobby regularly.
- Time Management: Organize your day for maximum efficiency.
- Positive Self-talk: Practice affirmations to boost confidence.
- Digital Detox: Allocate time away from screens daily.
- Personal Reflection: End each day with a brief reflection on achievements and learnings.
Another step you can take toward stress relief and greater overall happiness is to subscribe to my weekly-ish newsletter if you haven’t already. I send research-backed information and resources to make your life more of what you want it to be. If you’re already a subscriber and want to take your stress management journey deeper, you might want to check out my book, 8 Keys to Stress Management, from W. W. Norton.