Creating successful goals requires time and thought before you even begin to act on them. Use this brainstorming worksheet to help you along the path.
This is what I want in every key area of my life. _________________________________________________________________________ This is a health, personal, financial or spiritual goal. ________________________________ I have visualized what I really want. This is what it looks like. _________________________________________________________________________ The reason I chose this is because I am passionate about this aspect of it. _________________________________________________________________________ Is it something I can commit to over the long haul? _______________ Does the goal focus on one thing? _____________ Is it something that fuels my ambition? _____________ Does it go along with how I see myself? _____________ Does this goal give me clarity on my life? _____________
What to do to keep from failing: How have I made this goal precise and exact? Is it vague? __________________________________________________________________________ What bad habits or ways of thinking do I need to change to achieve this goal? __________________________________________________________________________ Can I make this goal a priority in my life? What do I need to change to make it happen? __________________________________________________________________________ Do I have people who will encourage me and won’t sabotage my goals? __________________________________________________________________________ How can I stay positive and work through my fears to reach this goal? __________________________________________________________________________ What abilities do I currently have to help me achieve this goal? What abilities will I need to learn? Do I have the self-confidence to learn them? __________________________________________________________________________ Is this the only goal I am working on? Am I focused enough to work on it? What can I do away with to help me stay more focused on this goal? What is taking too much of my attention away from this goal? __________________________________________________________________________ What type of plan have I created to reach this goal? Is it doable? Are the steps small enough but push me enough out of my comfort zone to keep me moving forward? __________________________________________________________________________
Successfully setting goals Do you believe in your goals? Is it something you have confidence you can achieve? ________________________________________________________________________
Take time to visualize yourself achieving your goal. Create a visual image by drawing or cutting out images of what the finished goal looks like to you. ________________________________________________________________________
• What does it feel like _________________________________________________ • Smell like __________________________________________________________ • Taste like __________________________________________________________
Are my goals documented in a notebook, computer or smartphone? Are they easily accessible? _________________________________________________________________________ Can I break it down into smaller steps? How? Can I see the steps I need to take? _________________________________________________________________________
What kind of commitment have I made for my goal? Do I need to take steps every day towards it? Are the steps small enough to achieve quickly without getting discouraged? _________________________________________________________________________
Have you created “SMART” goals? Do they fit into each acronym?
• Specific ________________________________________________________ • Measurable_____________________________________________________ • Actionable ______________________________________________________ • Realistic _______________________________________________________ • Time-set date to achieve ___________________________________________
Do I review my goal on a regular basis to keep on track and to determine what my next step is? Am I on track? _______________________________________________________________
What adjustments do I need to make? ____________________________________________________________________________
Follow Through to the End What do I need to do to follow through to the end? ________________________________________________________________________ Have I differentiated between short and long-term goals? ________________________________________________________________________ • 1 month goals ______________________________________________ • 6 months __________________________________________________ • 1 year _____________________________________________________ • 5 years ____________________________________________________
Who have I chosen as an accountability partner to keep me on track? ________________________________________________________________________ Do I need more than one person? ________________________________________________________________________ How often do I need to revisit the visual image of the completed goal to keep me motivated? _________________________________________________________________________ Do I need to adjust the steps to achieve this goal to help me follow through? How can I do this? _________________________________________________________________________ What actions can I do to see how much I have completed towards this task? _________________________________________________________________________ • Tick of a list? ________________________________________________________ • Celebrate certain milestones? ___________________________________________ • Review how far I’ve progressed? _________________________________________ What do I need to do every day to work towards my goal? _________________________________________________________________________ • Special tools? ________________________________________________________ • Education? __________________________________________________________ • Consistency? ________________________________________________________ • New habits? _________________________________________________________ How can I forgive myself when I fall off track? __________________________________________________________________________ Check my emotions and remind myself to stay positive __________________________________________________________________________ Take a break to refresh my mind __________________________________________________________________________ Keep a notepad handy to jot down distracting thoughts ________________________________________________________________________ Reschedule missed appointments, classes or whatever needs to be redone ________________________________________________________________________
Other ideas to help me follow through
General Notes
Let Doc Annie know if you have any questions, and how you are coming along with your Goal sheet.
