Goal Setting.  Do you set goals?  If you do, are they long term?  Short term?  A combination?

At the beginning of each year I set goals.  Sometimes, I also revisit these goals around my birthday in June.

But, on a day-to-day strategic level, I don’t necessarily put much focus on my “big goals”.  AND . . . until taking the Holistic Time Coaching class taught by Julie Gray and Denslow Brown I don’t think I realized this!

One of the best decisions I made on a professional and personal development level was to enroll in this class.  If you’ve missed any of the previous posts detailing my learning – feel free to jump back:

Teacher as Student
Is Your Own Cup Full?
How Do You Plan to Outsource?
Do You Follow Through?

In my previous post about task management, I explained the disconnect I had with my medium range projects that were not deadline driven.  These projects could sit in my “Project Folder” or in their individual folders forever.  Out of sight, out of mind.  I didn’t really have a plan for moving them forward to completion.

I realized I had a similar gap with achieving my goals.  I’d write goals.  I’d rewrite goals the next year. Often I’d create some action steps.  But, then I’d get caught up in my day-to-day tasks and priorities and lose sight of the big picture.

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So – what did I change?

  1. I scheduled time in my calendar to review my goals for the year each Friday.  This time is also used to double check that the tasks on my to-do list actually relate to a goal.  (Sometimes things just sneak onto that list!!)
  2. Because I know that sometimes I can substitute the urgent for the important – and I know that I wouldn’t necessarily keep the “check in on your goals” appointment with myself every Friday, I also added a “bonus” goal check-in to my Monthly Checklist.  (Only to be used in the case of an emergency!)
  3. AND . . . because I know that external accountability helps me keep my #1 priorities actually #1, I scheduled quarterly reviews with another like-minded professional.  This is a time for a more in depth evaluation of what is working and what needs to be adjusted.  Plus, I have the opportunity for another set of unbiased eyes to help gauge my progress.

Now, I have weekly, monthly, and quarterly appointments scheduled all year long.

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I need this much structure – as I know my tendency is to jump to the “task” part of my list and skip over the “thinking” part of my list.  By creating multiple check-ins and bringing in the support of another person, I’m helping to ensure I experience success.

Your turn.  How do you make sure you stay on track with your goals?

Be sure to check back next week as I share some scheduling strategies.

With a little coaching, you can easily achieve the perfect balance between your business and personal lives. You can develop a framework and a system that allows you to put first things first – and live a life of purpose!

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