(UPDATED FOR 2021) As I’ve written elsewhere, once upon a time I was the Queen of Getting Things Done. Then I had kids, and my productivity mojo vanished. It’s taken a long time for me to reclaim it. But now that I have, I can’t wait to share with you the secret of how to reach YOUR goals this coming year.
No, I haven’t magically multiplied the hours on the clock (I wish!). Or discovered some miracle drug (unless you count sleep in that category). But over the past few years, I’ve gotten SO much better at setting long-term goals, working toward them, and checking them off as “done.”
Ready for the secret? Then keep reading for the step-by-step formula that YOU can use to set big goals this coming year, and then actually reach your goals!
Originally published Jan. 1, 2020; last updated November 2020
My Favorite Goal-Slaying Hacks: How To Reach Your Goals This Year
1. Write those goals down!
Even if you’re the queen of digital planning tools, write your goals down on paper.
The act of writing by hand activates different parts of your brain than just typing them. If you haven’t been (say) a college student recently, let me give an example:
Two students are sitting in a lecture hall. One is typing notes on a laptop or tablet. The other has a notebook and pen, and is taking notes by hand.
Who will have better understanding and recall of the material afterward?
According to studies done on this very subject, the student taking notes by hand:
- Because writing by hand is slower than typing, the listener automatically has to filter through (and thus think about) the information, rather than just recording it word for word.
- Using more parts of the brain – the manual dexterity needed to form the exact shape of each letter, versus the repetitive action of typing a bunch of identical keys – causes the brain to process the information differently/more deeply.
- Writing something down helps you remember it better, internalize it more deeply, and at the same time, clear it from your working memory. (This means your brain doesn’t feel so overloaded and cluttered – just what every busy mama needs!)
2. Sort and prioritize your goals
You may find it helpful to write your goals in different categories as you go; or you may find it useful to sort them out afterward. For example,
- Personal goals – health/fitness, spiritual development, etc.;
- Work/professional goals;
- Family/home/household goals;
- Financial goals.
Sorting through your goals will help you figure out
- Which you want/need to start on first;
- Which are most important to you;
- Which are better to put on hold until you’ve accomplished other things on your list;
- Which you CAN’T start on yet because of certain obstacles. I like to call these “sticking points” – the things that STOP you from doing what you want to do.
3. Pick your first month’s goals, and plan what steps you’ll take to achieve your goals that month
Once you’ve sorted through your goals and identified any sticking points, you can decide which goals you want to focus on in your first month. I’d recommend no more than 1-3. You can always add more later, but you want to have measurable progress to show at the end of the month so you don’t get discouraged.
As you’re picking which goals you want to attack first, think about the specific baby steps you’ll need to take to accomplish each goal. Identify those sticking points in your first month’s goals, and figure out what you have to do to overcome them.
For example, say you want to lose weight this year. Related to this, two of your more specific goals for the year are to start a new healthy eating regime, and to train for your first 100-mile (“century”) bike ride. Only you live somewhere where winters are too cold and dark to go on long bike rides.
- The new eating plan is something you can start working on right away.
- The long training rides you’ll need to work up to are something you can’t do yet because of the weather (that’s your sticking point).
- So as a way around that sticking point, you decide to do spin classes 1-2x/week until the weather is better for outdoor cycling.
4. Write down the tiny steps you’ll take this month to work on each goal
Having great big goals won’t get you anywhere unless you break them down into tiny little doable steps, and put the steps into order. Identifying the “sticking points” is part of this process; once you’ve identified them, you can take them on first, so they’re no longer holding you back.
Let’s say you’ve always dreamed of getting your master’s degree. Only problem is, you left undergrad a few courses shy of your degree. So you’ve been letting that hold you back from pursuing your dream of getting that MSW or M.Div. or MBA or whatever.
Sticking point: need to get those last few college credits.
Okay, so how are you going to do that?
- Get a copy of your old college transcript and pin down what you have to finish. See if it’s possible to finish the classes you need through your former institution. (Do you still live in the area, and do they have night classes or online-learning options?)
- Check out other schools in your area, as well as options for completing your degree online.
- Figure out where you’re going to get the money to cover tuition (do you have tuition benefits through your/your spouse’s employer?), and how you’re going to cover childcare for while you’re in class, the time you need to commute and do homework, etc.
- Fill out whatever transfer applications, financial aid forms, etc. you need so you can enroll and get those final credits knocked off.
There! You’ve written out the specific steps you need to take next to help you work toward that larger dream!
Likewise, going back to the previous example, the first steps on “healthy eating” could involve getting a referral to a nutritionist, or researching different eating plans. And you won’t get to those spin classes unless you figure out when they are, and how you’ll squeeze them in around your other commitments (work, family, etc.).
Once you have those little steps written down, you can add them into your weekly/daily to-do lists, and check them off one at a time.
Find yourself avoiding starting on one of those little steps? Maybe the step is still too big and/or will take too long; can you break it down more? Maybe there’s a sticking point you haven’t identified yet. See if you can figure it out.
5. Check back regularly on your progress toward your goals
At least monthly, look back at your goals – both the goals you set for that month (including the sticking points and step-by-step), and your goals for the year. How are you doing on them?
- Are there any goals you can check off as “accomplished” (yay!)?
- Have you uncovered new obstacles that you have to take care of first?
- Do you have any new goals you want to add, that have grown out of the ones you’ve already checked off?
- Are there any that are no longer important to you, that you can cross off the list?
At the very least, take a little time at the end of each month to see how you did on that month’s goals, and figure out what your 1-3 goals for the next month will be.
- Maybe you’ve checked off one goal that was the “sticking point” for another of your yearly goals. So now you can move on to that other goal for the next month.
- Maybe you’ve made good progress on one of your goals, but you haven’t been able to finish all the steps you’d planned to take. In this case, you might decide to move that goal/its remaining steps over to the next month.
It’s also super-helpful to do a bigger check-in at some point midyear, and see if you need to reassess your goals.
- Have you finished all your goals in one area? Maybe it’s time to focus on another area of your life. Or maybe you want to add some new goals to that area.
- Are some goals no longer relevant? (The last two times I tried to train for another century ride, a broken bone quickly put an end to those plans for the year!)
A final note on this writing-it-down thing:
But where/how am I going to write down all these goals and all the steps?
Need a place to write down those goals, and the steps you’re going to take to accomplish them each month? Well, you’re in luck! – I’ve put together a free 30-page printable booklet (updated for 2021!) to help you set, plan, and accomplish your goals this year. ✅Click here to get access to it!
(I personally like to write down my goals in my Bullet Journal. If you’ve never started one before, I have a simple quick-start guide to doing BuJo the easy way that you can read – no artistic skills or fancy accessories needed!)
Here’s to making this coming year the year you slay your goals like never before!
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Definitely going to be printing this out!
Hope you find it useful! 🙂
In this panademic period, when staying motivated has become so tough, these tips are quite helpful.
Oh, I’m so glad you like them!
2020 wasn’t a great year, and it would be great to start off the new year with a list of goals. I’m definitely going to do this!
I know exactly what you mean! Here’s to a better, more on-track 2021 for ALL of us!
You give so much value. Thank you for this printable!
You are so welcome! 🙂
Setting goals is important but I think writing them down actually helps a person achieve them.
It really, truly does! Even for the little day-to-day things!
My goals have taken such a back seat since the pandemic started! Between a lack of child care and the fact that I can’t write much about places we go since we are always at home, it has been difficult. I hope to use these tips to get back on track in 2021!
Ohhhhhhh I know EXACTLY what you mean!!! I have definitely been telling myself that 2021 is the perfect excuse – er, OPPORTUNITY – to “reset” and get back on track! 🙂
I wrote down 4 blog goals in September to accomplish by next September- and I just accomplished the first one! Having them written down is really helping me focus on what is imortant.
Isn’t it funny how that makes a huge difference? Congrats on knocking off the first goal already!
I am great at setting goals. Sometimes it is the steps to reach that goal that trips me up.
I know exactly what you mean – that is why I have had to figure out, over time, HOW to break them down into manageable chunks…doing that makes all the difference!
Yes! There is something about writing your goals, or even to do lists down that makes it motivating and satisfying to meet or complete!
So true!
I will be working on myself more!
That is always an excellent New Year’s goal!
Writing goals down is huge!!! It always feels good to be able to cross the item off the list!
I totally agree!
Thanks for sharing this is really useful. I use a “my” gratitude journal that works exactly the same and it helps a lot. Have a great 2021 x
Thanks – you too!
I can vouch for the writing down part! Writing helps so much.
Absolutely!!!
Such great tips/advice! Writing down/planning/scheduling is an area I need to work on!
And there’s no time like the start of a new year to make progress on these areas!
This is challenging. I have my goals this year and I’m definitely motivated to achieve them.
Whoop whoop! Here’s to slaying goals in 2020 🙂 Lists are the key to my getting anything done. I need them to help my poor mom brain remember what I need to do, and I need them to check off as I go along. I’ve been experimenting with keeping my lists in my phone and have found what I suspected all along – that it’s just not same or as effective for me. I love the point about breaking down goals into mini steps – sometimes goals are daunting, but when broken down into smaller steps, they seem much more manageable! GREAT post!
Aww, I’m so glad you liked it, Heather! Isn’t it amazing how (for this parent, at least, and for you too by the sounds) a list is a great antidote to total brain overload? I’ve been working hard with my girls – Kimmie especially, lately, as the school load is ratcheting up with 5th grade – on figuring out how to take that first baby step, and then the next, and the next, rather than just say “it’s too hard/big!” and throw up their hands – if I didn’t do this with every single thing, I’d never get ANYTHING done lol! 🙂
I have been reading a book by Rachael Holls that says the same. I need to zoom on my goals more to achieve them. I will use the printable. I been trying to break goals down each week but need to accountability.
I hope you find the printable useful!
I had to come back and tell you how helpful this has been for me! I am hoping to hit all my goals in 2020!!!
Oh, I’m SO glad to hear that, Angela! It was only when I started doing this a few years ago that I finally felt as if I was *getting somewhere* on dreaming above the day-to-day, and actually hitting the target on occasion! (And the more I practice, the better I get!) 🙂
Writing my goals down is key for me!! For some reason even if I type it them in my phone it doesn’t help me. The writing makes it more concrete for some reason! I like the suggestion of breaking down the goals into smaller goals. I need to do that. Mine are usually broad, so breaking them down will make them seem more achievable!
Yes, there is something about the writing them down that really makes it engage your brain differently. And breaking them down makes it SO much easier. I am realizing now, mid-month, that I have yet to start on 2 of my big goals for the month, in part because I haven’t made myself tiny “get-started” baby steps to do first! 🙂
This year is my year and I am determined on reaching all my goals!!! The steps help a lot actually. Thank you so much.
So glad you found them helpful, Chad! 🙂
Checking in monthly on your goals is such a good idea! It’s sometimes easy to forget or get sidetracked from those smaller goals that you set, so this is a great way to prevent that from happening!
I find that when I DON’T do this, all of a sudden it’s October and I’m like “where did the year go?” So yes, it definitely helps 🙂
These are awesome mom hacks for reaching your goals! I totally agree, there is just something about writing down a goal that makes it more concrete. And prioritizing and scheduling are musts. When you stop trying to do EVERYTHING you can do ANYTHING!
OOH, I really like that – the part about trading trying to do it all for actually being able to accomplish something! 🙂
Heyy, these are some really great tips! I myself like to keep a diary to sort things out because sometimes when you don’t write your head just starts exploding. What I like to do is keep a huge list of long term goals, which I keep adding to by the way :p and then there are shorter everyday lists. The everyday lists make me feel like I am getting somewhere!! Great idea about reassessing though, cause sometimes you just go overboard with your expectations of yourself!
I love diaries/journaling, too! You are 100% correct, writing in a format like this is SO helpful for sorting out your priorities! 🙂
I love your tips! I have been thinking about goals a lot over the last few weeks, but I have yet to write them down. Thanks!
You’re so welcome! The year I started Bullet Journaling (and thus this way of writing down/tracking goals), the BuJo workshop I attended wasn’t until late Jan, so I was only getting started in February – in other words, it’s never too late to start! 🙂
Thanks for sharing such an inspirational post. I am definitely saving this as I am working hard to reach my goals this year.
You are so welcome, Marjie! 🙂
Writing your goals down and even being accountable by telling someone is so important.
As is having regular check-ins with an accountability partner (or several – I have one for work goals, another for family and home goals, and one for personal-growth goals 🙂 )
I love the idea of getting lists and goals on paper, so that we can get them done. I really need to prioritize this year and get things done.
It makes such a huge difference – somehow when you write it down, it seems more “real”. Good luck!
This is pretty similar to how I do my lists, but I like your tip about adding the little steps to reach bigger goals. Plus, it’ll make me feel more productive to cross out the little things! I do really need to work on not adding too many goals in a short time though.
Ohhhhh, it is SO satisfying to check off each little step – a really positive “yes I AM getting somewhere!” even when it doesn’t always FEEL that way…
Thank you for sharing. I plan on tackling my goals REALLY heavy this year. I appreciate the printables too.
Oh, you’re so welcome, Kim – hope they are helpful for you! 🙂
Great list……this is something I could use as a reference as a goals list
Glad you liked it, Kelly! 🙂
i am so ready for 2020 to get up and running! I havee so many goals this year. Thank you for the tips and this great resource
You are so welcome! 🙂
Awesome stuff here!
My biggest goal of the year is to pay off as much debt as I possibly can, so that I can HOPEFULLY be debt free in three years.
And that is one of the best goals (and will be one of the best FEELINGS) there is! But from what I’ve read on YOUR site, you have a really solid plan to get there! So glad you liked these tips, too, and here’s to accomplishing your goals in a big way this year! 🙂
I think as mentioned it’s very important to break it down into simpler achievable goals and your thought process becomes clear with out any ambiguity. Overall such exercise is very important for anyone…which makes it easier achievable targets for one..
So true! 🙂
I am still working on my goals for the year! This printable will certainly be helpful to me when I set them for 2020!!
So glad you like it, Angela! *thanks*
I am such a huge fan of writing things down! It just holds me accountable in a way nothing else does. Checking in regularly with goal progression is so important, too.
Absolutely – I am with you 100% on both tips! 🙂
Thank you for the helpful tips! I am a note taker for sure and love being able to check things off of my list!
There are few things quite so satisfying as being able to color in those little boxes in my Bullet Journal to indicate that something is COMPLETE! 🙂
These are great ideas to keep reminding yourself of your goals! Writing is definitely the best way to do it.
Absolutely! It REALLY makes a difference!
Absolutely – it truly is!
I agree, just the simple act of writing them down is a helpful step. I find that putting things down in black and white somehow makes me feel more accountable.
I know just what you mean!
I struggle with making and sticking to goals, so this is super helpful advice. I just recently started writing down my goals and it is very helpful!
It’s funny how such a little thing can make such a huge difference, isn’t it?
I love having goals every first week of each month and I love the feeling of accomplishing them by the end of the month. These are great tips on reaching your goals.
I know exactly what you mean! (Glad you like the tips – thanks! 🙂 )
I know exactly what you mean! (Glad you liked the tips, too! 🙂 )
My husband and I always work on our goals together. We have our personal goals plus our family/business goals. By doing them together we have accountability. We set time aside in our calendar to go over them. This year started off wonky being on vacation so we are doing them on Thursday!
OOH, I ***love*** the fact that a) you are doing them together and b) your goal-check-in day is Thursday (Totally random!) . For all the things I love my husband dearly for/he is helpful for, accountability on my personal goals is, oddly enough, NOT one of them! I have different friends I reach out to, depending on the goal (my dear friend Keisha and I were writing-accountability partners back when we were both working in academia, for example – then we both got married/had kids/left academia; my lifelong friend Raiah is an AMAZING accountability partner on house/family goals as well as professional, and Michele is SO good at holding me accountable for blogging goals specifically! But to be fair, he had the patience of a SAINT in coaxing our LD daughter through her homework tonight, being 1000% more patient with her than I would have been!
Great tips to help people get to their goals! It can be so overwhelming!
It totally can sometimes! – that’s why I love it when I/one of the girls can take that ONE baby step to get started! 🙂
I am currently working on step 4, breaking down those goals and how I’ll achieve them. I’ve got some big goals this year and I want to crush them!
Ooh, I SO hope you do! Can’t wait to hear how you make out, Angela! 🙂