Want to be an expert in creating and crushing your goals? This post is all about how to set weekly goals that will help propel you forward in your daily, weekly and long-term objectives!
A week has 168 hours in it, that’s a lot of valuable time when you know how to manage it properly. If you’re anything like me, you have a million and one things to do. Like…Write the blog post, vacuum, bring the kiddos to swim lessons, go the gym, the list goes on…and on and on.
Life can get extremely busy and overwhelming and it’s easy to get lost in the whir of each passing day. But having the expertise to effectively set goals can help you maximize your time more efficiently and unlock the amazing potential you have inside.
After reading this post, you’ll be better equipped to hold yourself accountable; and dominate your weekly goals so you can make tons of progress in all areas of your life.
This post is all about how to set weekly goals.
1. Make lists
Lists are one of my favorite tools to help me stay on target while working on my goals. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to visibly see and cross off tasks as you get them done.
Lists help me map out exactly what I need to do to make measurable progress towards my goals. And make a significant difference in my level of motivation to keep moving forward.
One way to effectively use lists is by separating tasks into daily, weekly and long term goals. This will give you a framework for understanding what tasks are more short-term and take precedence, while keeping longer-term goals in view as well. Utilizing lists will help you to break up your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks and will help you keep your objectives realistic and organized.
2. Use a planner
Utilizing a planner can make a WORLD of a difference in the effectiveness of your time management and productivity. Planners help you to map out your week or month at a glance and consolidate your busy life into something you can visually reference.
This is advantageous because you can plan your time more effectively and grow a better appreciation for the value of time. Sometimes you don’t realize how much time you really have until you’re being intentional with planning out the details. Being a good steward of your time in a day can make the difference between achieving your goals or letting them slip through your fingers.
3. Figure out your “why”
It’s so important to establish the incentive behind your goals before you even begin. Having a strong “why” will help you to stay motivated when things get discouraging and difficult…As all things worth having will at some point.
This is especially important when you’re pushing towards those harder long term goals. When you’re trying to achieve something great, you will always have to deal with doubt… Whether it be from outside sources or yourself. You’ll have an easier time fending off those arrows of negativity if you’re confident in your why and keep your eyes locked on the prize.
4. Prioritize your goals
Being strategic about prioritizing your goals can make a huge difference in your ability to maintain steady progress in the long run. When you’re conscious of which elements of your goal need to be handled first and foremost, you can more adequately manage your project.
Additionally, having an order of operations can simplify goal setting by creating smaller, more tangible steps you can take. Instead of allowing yourself to get overwhelmed by the giant that stands in front of you. For example, the thought of starting your own business can be scary and daunting, but it isn’t so intimidating when you focus on one thing at a time. Like setting up a business email, or researching how to get an LLC. Prioritizing your goals can help you make steady, methodical progress toward your end goal.
5. Be realistic about your time
Mamas, you know just as well as me that time is a fleeting and precious resource. Hours can easily fly by when you have a million things to do and a family to care for. Sometimes it can seem impossible to set goals amid all the chaos…But it definitely doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. You just need to be realistic about the time you do have to invest in your goals so you don’t get discouraged along the way. Your consistency is what matters the most. Even if you only have a half hour a day to work on your goal after you put the kids to sleep.
One strategy that I’ve found to be helpful is setting a timer whenever 15-20 minutes presents itself. I view it almost as a challenge to see how much I can get done in those 15-20 minutes when my daughter is down for a nap, preoccupied with a toy, etc.
Your dreams are possible mama, you just gotta take it 15 minutes at a time sometimes!
6. Utilize Mondays to set the tone of progress for your week
Mondays have a reputation for being everyone’s least favorite day… But they can also be a refreshing and invigorating jumping off point to a new week.
Checking in at the start of each week can refuel your ambition and allow you to create fresh goals for what you aim to achieve in the week ahead. Using your planner, map out your week and time block available slots you can dedicate toward making progress on your goal.
Taking this week by week approach will help you to set manageable goals and help you maintain steady progress one week at a time.
7. Reflect on your goals weekly
Reflecting on your goals is a vital step in maintaining positive motion on your goals. Take time and review the progress of how far you’ve come, and think ahead to next steps. This can help you gauge what is working and what isn’t, and helps you to remain realistic about your progress.
Being honest with yourself about your successes and failures can also help you to navigate what the best course of action will be moving forward. It’s always super fun to observe milestones you’ve hit and realize how much progress you’ve made since beginning!
8. Maintain a positive mindset about your progress
I know from experience that sometimes It can be hard to keep up the morale and motivation, especially when those around you can’t understand your vision. Self-discipline is hard and it’s why a lot of people never see their goals through to fruition.
Keeping your eyes focused on your goal will help you to remain inspired and motivated by the greatness that’s ahead if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Always remind yourself that progress is progress.
The most successful people in life don’t take no for an answer when it comes to their goals. You need to be your own biggest fan and give yourself encouragement and positive self talk daily.
9. Set deadlines
Setting deadlines is essential because it helps you hold yourself accountable in the long run. It’s can so easy to just say “I’ll do it later” when we’re not focused and self-disciplined enough to keep moving forward.
It’s important to set realistic deadlines for yourself to avoid discouragement. But keep them firm enough to keep the ball rolling at a steady pace. Deadlines will help you to see the tangible progress you’re making and help you to keep the motivation up when you see consistent and steady progress.
10. Roll with the punches
Working towards something you really want will always come with all sorts of highs, lows, tears, victories and challenges. Whenever you set a goal, you’re embarking on a journey that requires a great deal of discipline. Especially mentally and emotionally to see it through to the end. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew at one time.
When things get hard, allow yourself to take a break and come back to it when you have a better mindset about the task. When you’re able to take a mental rest for a day or two and come back refreshed and invigorated, you’ll feel the difference in your work ethic in general.
11. Celebrate your achievements
Be kind to yourself and celebrate the wins as you get them. You should be proud of yourself that you are setting goals to improve your life and the lives of those around you.
If you’re making a blog for example, celebrate when you hit 100 email subscribers, when you get into an ad network or when you get a viral post. If you’re losing weight, give yourself a pat on the back when you make healthier food choices, you lose 10 lbs or fit into those jeans you’ve had in your closet forever.
Celebrate the little wins and know that if you keep moving forward, you’ll soon see bigger and better wins!
What are the advantages of short term goal setting?
-It gives you more focus, purpose and direction:
By giving yourself a roadmap for success, it helps you to keep your eyes locked on your vision to propel you forward. You will not as easily get distracted anymore because achieving your goal becomes more important than the things that are not helping you make progress in your life.
-More time freedom:
Setting goals allows you to manage your time more effectively instead of just floating through life trying to figure it out as you go. When you manage your time effectively, you’ll have more time for the things that matter most.
-Increased accountability
Setting goals helps you to be more self-disciplined to make measurable progress in many aspects of your life. This helps you to become a more accountable person in general and keeps procrastinating at bay.
-Goal setting builds confidence
Setting goals can create a can-do attitude and builds confidence to be able to handle the tasks of life that seem overwhelming. Whenever you stick to goals, you face things head on instead of procrastinating/avoiding difficult things.
Goals are all relative to whatever it is we want for our lives. But sometimes we have to work our way up to those bigger and more demanding goals.
Weekly goal examples:
-Read the bible first thing in the morning for 20 minutes
-Keep your phone off until noon everyday
-Don’t hit snooze!
-Set your timer for 15 minutes and declutter
-Do one load of laundry a day
-Write in a prayer/gratitude journal
-Workout for 30 minutes a day
-Drink water instead of other beverages
-Limit alcohol consumption to one night a week
-Read a book before you go to sleep instead of looking at your phone or watching TV
-Purge your closet of things you don’t wear anymore
-Learn how to cook a new recipe
-Do a no spend challenge
-Fix something that’s been broken in your home
-Stretch out your body
-Take an online course
-Create a meal plan
-Have a self care night
-Take the dog for an evening walk around the neighborhood
-Plan ahead activities to do with the kids
-Tend to a garden
-Take time to pray in the morning and evening
-Open an investment account
-Keep your room/living area tidy
-Learn to establish boundaries
-Learn to be frugal wherever possible
Creating the habit of setting weekly goals can take some time, but it is more than worth the investment in yourself. Take it slow add goals and structure to your life as you get more comfortable with it. I’m confident you’ll see improvements in your productivity and happiness by implementing these great tips and tricks!
This post was all about setting weekly goals to help you make the most out of everyday and help you plan ahead for a brighter future!
This post was all about how to set weekly goals!
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