Well, I feel as though I’m barely into the new year. This year has started off extremely slow for me. From the fact that school resumed later than usual to the fact that I’ve had a cold/virus that won’t leave me alone for THREE weeks. It’s been somewhat of a rough start to 2020.
I’m feeling sadly behind this year. But, I’m ok with it. I’ve learned that in life we need to keep giving ourselves much grace. Life if anything will always be unpredictable.
Life is Messy
Over the weekend I asked my husband to go with me to the garden store to inquire about a potential landscape contact. Well, we weren’t able to make it Saturday and when we finally went on Sunday, we learned that the garden store is closed for the season. Our plans were changed for us. As plans often are. Just like my January has looked thus far. And I’m ok with it!
However, over the weekend I was able to find some time to focus on my goals for 2020 which was a true highlight. I love looking back over the past year and then looking forward to what I hope is to come. For me, goal setting is the chance to consider what doors I want to walk through in the upcoming year.
Life is such a gift. And while yes, life is full of uncertainty, and ups and downs, it’s also full of opportunities. I believe that you and I need to take ownership of the opportunities that lay before us. We need to challenge ourselves to keep growing, changing, and improving. And one way to do this is to set goals. I tend to do this on a yearly basis, but really any basis will work. I share more of my tips in my Take Back Your Goals guide and also in my book Take Back Your Time. (If you are looking for more inspiration and motivation.)
Take Back Your Goals
While I’m not going to share with you each and every goal that I set for myself for the year (boring). I will give you a glimpse into how I personally approach goal setting.
- I set goals for all.the.things. From the smallest (like making our 2019 family photo album) to the biggest (finishing edits for a BIG upcoming project). I list them ALL. The more you put plans on paper, the more you are able to get the mental clutter out of your mind. This will then allow you to put more of your energy towards working on your goals.
- I put my goals where I can see them, in my closet. This way I see them every.single.day. It’s hard to forget something when you see them all the time. Make a point to keep your goals in front of you so you are reminded of where to steer and steward your time (daily). One of the messages I also have up on my goal board says this: When everything is important nothing is important. Setting a goal means you are choosing to focus your energies and efforts on those things that you most want to prioritize. Everything can not be a priority, you have to prioritize!
- I remain realistic. I give myself permission to change a goal, adjust a goal, delete a goal, or add a goal. Throughout the year, nothing is set in stone. While yes, I want to stay motivated and on track, I also want to remain realistic with where life is going. As I shared above, life is and always will be, unpredictable and messy. Our goals should serve us and guide us to become the best versions of ourselves. So, when they are not serving us well we need to adjust course.
Join me on Instagram!
For 2020, I set 42 goals. (Remember, I have a lot of small goals in there. There is no “right” number.) My intention more or less is to focus on one goal (or so) a week. Please plan to join me over on Instagram. I’ll be having some fun ways to share your own goal efforts with me.
You may also tune in to The Morganize with Me Podcast for some more inspiration. The next season will launch in February titled Organizing + Health. And don’t forget to check out the Take Back Your Goals guide for a full guide on how to plan out your goals on either a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. I’m your goal coach and I’m cheering you on!
Go open some doors…
