Keeping Your Goals Top of Mind
We’re half-way through July, and I just found a document titled, “2021 ideas and goals.” I clearly hadn’t looked at it since I typed it up earlier this year, and ohmygoodness, in some areas, I’ve really strayed from the path I intended to take. I didn’t even remember some of my goals. Which is I guess what happens when you just put something away and then never look at it again…right.? Right.
I think today—seven months later—is the day I’ll try to get back on track.
We can always start again.
Here are the steps I’m taking to do a better job of keeping my goals top of mind for the second half of this year. Feel free to follow along if you need a quick refresh, too!
First things first, assess what clearly didn’t—and won’t—happen. Looking at my list, some goals and timelines have me wondering, What was I thinking? Others simply don’t make sense anymore or fit this season of life and need to be set aside for now. There’s no use getting too emotionally attached…just cross them out! Even really good ideas need to get the axe sometimes so we can focus on the things that will truly help us move forward.
Now list all the things that did happen, regardless if they were on the list or not. That first step can feel like a gut punch, so now it’s time to build our confidence back up. Keeping an inventory of the good things that we’ve accomplished can help us recognize how capable we are and can help us pinpoint some reasons why certain goals weren’t (or shouldn’t be) reached.
In this step, it’s important to think outside the box and take a wholistic approach. We are not just our art or our business. We are also moms and wives and friends and coworkers. The various facets of our lives affect each other, and we’re not able to truly do it all, all of the time. For example, I know that I find when I’m crushing it at “momming,” my art practice or other areas need to take a back seat. But while I’m in “mom mode,” I do a lot of awesome things that are worth celebrating!
Look ahead. We’re almost ready to make a revised goals list, but before we do, we need to (perhaps) take a more practical approach. Let’s document what we know is coming up, the things that will happen. I like to put these in both list form and as events on my calendar (and in my planner). These things will help determine how much else I can take on in the next six months (read: actually not that much).
Make a new goals list. In my previous iteration, I split things up by family, business, work, self, spiritual development, etc. I think that’s a fine approach, but I’m going to try something a little different this time around…to help me keep more in line with my values:
Things to Serve God
Things to Serve My Family
Things to Serve Myself
Things to Serve Others
Confession time: I was a little torn about putting myself before others, because you know, I wanted to seem pious and generous, etc. etc. But my energy, especially in this season of motherhood with young children, is limited. I need to prioritize my family, and then others outside that circle. I know I will not be able to do much beyond my family if I don’t recharge myself first. So, if you’re feeling that tug too, here’s your reminder that it’s okay to set aside some of those “should do’s” and focus on the “can do’s” sometimes.
Make your goals visible. So for today, here’s my final step, and the most important one I missed last time…make my goals visible. I’m choosing to do this through a hybrid list/vision board, and I’m going to put it in a few places: on my wall above my desk, in my planner, and on the mirror in the bathroom.
Later, I’ll spend time breaking down each goal into micro goals and tasks, and make those visible too, but that’s a whole other post.
Remember to share this post on Pinterest or Social Media and tag me @tarawrightstudio. And let me know in the comments: Do you have a great system for setting, tracking, and achieving your goals?
