The 5 Critical Elements for Achieving Meaningful Goals
Goal-setting, for the longest time, felt like a foreign concept to me. It wasn't until I became a Lululemon ambassador while teaching yoga in Washington, DC, that I truly engaged with the idea. As an ambassador, I had access to financial and marketing support for my goals, dreams, and endeavors. The catch? I didn't have any clear goals.
I vividly remember sitting in a goal-setting seminar, surrounded by teachers who had crystal-clear objectives. I felt like the odd one out. I went through the motions, selecting goals that sounded good but deep down, I knew I wouldn't invest the time to achieve them.
Up until that point, I'd always navigated life without meticulous goal-setting and things worked out – I attended college, won rowing races, graduated, got married, and had kids without setting a single goal.
It wasn't until a flight from Philadelphia to Utah in 2019 that I received a powerful nudge to start an online coaching business. At that moment, my lack of goal-setting acumen caught up with me. Starting an online business wasn't as straightforward as my previous achievements. There was no predefined roadmap, no college course, and I had zero business experience. This was the moment when I realized the necessity of goal-setting.
In this blog, I'll share the five crucial steps I've discovered for sourcing, defining, and achieving meaningful goals.
Step #1: Tune into your intuition.
Set up a calm, distraction-free space where you can relax. Begin with some quiet time, either through meditation or just sitting peacefully while focusing on your breath. Let your mind settle, and pay attention to any physical sensations you experience without passing judgment.
Now, grab a journal and pen, and write this question at the top of the page:
"What does my best and most positive future look like in terms of my career, finances, relationships, community, and health?"
Don't overthink it; just write down whatever comes to mind in response to the question. It doesn't have to be perfectly structured or follow grammar rules. Imagine you're a reporter quickly jotting down thoughts as they come to you.
If you'd like to explore further, you can use tarot or oracle cards. Ask your question, draw a card, and pay attention to the images, words, feelings, memories, and physical sensations it brings up. Trust your intuition; it often communicates subtly.
And if you'd rather express yourself through drawing, gardening, painting, dancing, or any other activity that helps you connect with your true thoughts and feelings, go ahead. Choose what resonates with you to get in touch with your inner self.
Step #2: Integrate logic.
Review your insights, identifying recurring themes and key areas. Prioritize these areas based on their significance, relevance, and your current life situation. Now, set SMART goals:
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Determine how you'll measure your progress.
Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic.
Relevant: Align your goals with your inner vision.
Time-bound: Set a timeframe for each goal.
Step #3: Break Goals Down + Create Habits.
Big goals in the distant future can be overwhelming and demotivating. Whether it's losing a lot of weight, running a marathon, changing jobs, increasing your business income, or growing your community, these big goals can seem too daunting because they often involve things you can't control.
Instead, think of these big goals as your ultimate destination. Then, break them into smaller, more achievable goals that add up to the big one.
Also, consider the habits you can develop to move closer to those smaller goals and your ultimate destination.
For example, when I wanted to start my business, my big goal was to quit my other jobs and make $50,000 a year in profits coaching and selling online coaching programs while having the freedom to choose where and when I work.
But I had no idea how to do it!
So, I broke that goal into smaller steps like taking an online business course, creating a basic website, and starting a blog and email list to attract and nurture potential clients. Some habits I formed included reading a page from a relevant book or listening to a podcast every day and writing down my thoughts and ideas for content regularly.
In simple terms, you can tackle big goals by breaking them into smaller, doable steps and consistently working toward them. This way, you can focus on one step at a time in your journey.
Step #4: Fine-tune intuitively.
My path didn't always go as planned, and my goals often happened in a different order than expected. But experience has taught me they happened at the right time. In other words, don't feel tied to what you write down. Listen to your gut feeling as you go along.
If you feel overwhelmed, break your goals into smaller steps or take a break. When you're not feeling inspired, challenge yourself more. And if one goal feels right, even if it doesn't seem logical or in the right order, trust your instincts. Embrace the excitement and nervousness as signs that you're heading in the right direction.
Step #5: Leverage your strengths for action.
It's one thing to plan a goal or a habit, but it's another to actually do it. For many people, the most challenging part is taking that initial step. Your individual strengths can help you figure out what action can best motivate you to begin. If:
Executing: You likely find it easy to kickstart tasks, but remember to ensure your actions match your goals and the goals of those who share your mission. Also, don't forget to include self-care in your to-do list to sustain your efforts in the long run.
Strategic Thinking: Start with reading, learning or brainstorming.
Influencing: First, rally support.
Relationship Building: Seek collaboration right away.
Remember, setting and achieving meaningful goals requires patience, self-awareness, and trust in yourself. Adjust your goals as needed, aligning them with your strengths, vision, and inner guidance.
Don't know your strengths? Take the CliftonStrengths Assessment today!
Unlock the power of meaningful goal-setting. Your journey begins within!
