How To Make Your Goals Less Overwhelming

It’s no secret: setting goals is one of the most important elements of actually getting where you want to go. It’s the fuel for your engine. Without goals, you’re running on fumes, and without clearly defined goals, it’s easy to coast through life without a clear purpose and direction. We feel like we’re getting somewhere when really we’re just spinning our wheels. The bottom line is, you can’t improve what you don’t measure!

So if all it takes is writing it down, why is goal setting still the number one hangup on your wellness journey? 

Why does it feel like there are soooo many goals swirling around and like you have no idea where to begin?

Welcome to the blog post aimed at helping you get over the hump and on with your life – clearly defined, concise and organized goals at the helm!

Tip #1: Define Your Desire 

I’m currently reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and WHOA. Truth bomb after truth bomb. If you haven’t checked it out, you really need to. One part of the book that really stuck out is what it takes to achieve goals. The trifecta, if you will:

• Skills 
• Knowledge 
• Desire 
  

We can teach you the skills and the knowledge, but the desire? We can’t teach desire. That comes from deep within and has to be rooted in things that aren’t shallow, such as “lose ten pounds”, cause, guess what!? Those ten pounds can be lived with; chronic disease and decrease in quality of life? Not so much. Having a goal of losing ten pounds is fine, but you need to go deeper as to WHY you want to lose it.

When seeking to define your desire, root down into what really drives you to get healthy and set goals in the first place.

ACTION ITEM: Make a list of 10 goals you’ve got currently and then next to each one list a deeper reason for wanting to achieve it. Example:

• Start exercising 3x per week / I recognize how good it makes me feel and how my anxiety and depression improve when I am consistently active. 
• Eat mostly nutrient-dense foods / My autoimmune disease does not flare up as much and I feel really good physically and mentally when I’m not eating junk everyday. My quality of life literally increases. 
• Spend more time with family and friends / I know I’m not going to look back on my life and say “I really wish I had worked more”. I’m going to look back and wish I had made more memories with the people that mean the most to me. When I think of this longer term vision, sacrificing time with my loved ones is not something I’m willing to do on a regular basis. 

See how getting clear on the “why” can help you tap into the desire portion of goal setting? 

Tip #2: Start Small

If you’d like to know the secret to NOT achieving your goals, here it is: setting wayyyy too many big, scary audacious goals and then feeling really lost as to how you’re going to make it happen. 

It’s important to set yourself up for success by creating mini wins. In our pursuit of those larger goals it’s easy to forget that within them are small steps amounting to the grand finale. 

ACTION ITEM: Think of a goal you want to accomplish. What’s the very next step you need to take to get closer to it? Just the next step … nothing else! 

Tip #3:  Create a Solid Morning + Evening Routine (Habit Reinforcement) 

We drive this home with every single one of our clients because the change in your quality of life will be overwhelmingly positive. Think of your morning and evening routines as your anchors. Without them, you’re easily swayed by what the day brings. Here are a sample morning and evening routine:

Morning (note: DO NOT check social media or emails until you’ve completed your morning routine)

• Wake up 
• Stretch 
• Meditate for 5+ minutes 
• Journal 
• Read 10 pages
• Workout 

Evening

• 60 minutes before bed, turn off TV and read or do something non-electronic 
• Wear blue light blocking glasses if you watch TV at night 
• Foam roll and stretch for 5-10+ minutes 
• Have some calming tea
• Get in bed 30 minute before official bedtime and read a few pages from a book 
  

ACTION ITEM: Grab a piece of paper and pen and write down the morning and evening routines you’d like to create. For added accountability, text it to me at 916-932-8096!

Tip #4: Use This Weekly Sheet Goal Setting Sheet (SIMPLE and instantly DOABLE)

I’ve been using this sheet myself for several months now, and I recently rolled it out to my clients. Having something tangible is soooo helpful. Plus, it’s easy to forget all the little things we want to get done each day in the name of self-care and preservation. 

Each week, I print a new sheet and I give myself a sticker for completed tasks (you can also check them off with a pen – but the sticker IS super fun!). 

BONUS: you’ll get a dopamine hit every single time you complete a task that you had written down! 

ACTION ITEM: Print this weekly sheet . Then, check them off each time you complete! If you’re looking for some examples, here’s what’s currently on mine:

• Journal 
• Meditate/Pray 
• Family Time 
• Quality Time w/ Hubby 
• Exercise 
• Take Supplements 
• Food Log 

The opportunities are endless! The cool part about this is, when you review it at the end of the week, it will be really clear where your strengths lie and also where your opportunities lie, why helps you plan out what you want to tackle the following week! 

Tip #5: Celebrate Your Wins

It’s no fun doing all of that work to improve yourself and your mindset if you don’t take time to celebrate! Think of small ways you can give yourself a pat on the back for making time to take care of yourself and completing these activities. A small purchase or adventure; whatever strikes your fancy! 

Tip #6: Need help? Seek it. 

It’s not shameful to need help. In fact, it’s courageous to take that next step and reach out to people who are ready to inspire and elevate you! I love working with motivated go-getters who need guidance on their journey, and I’ve got one spot open in my Lifestyle Transformation program. If you’re interested, apply here and I’ll be in touch so we can see if it’s a good fit!