Monthly Goal Setting
Image c/o Angelica Marie, via Pinterest
I used to think that goal setting was lame, but now it’s one of my favourite tools to help me live intentionally and create purpose. Each year I choose a word of the year, and some months I’ll set goals to support me in feeling how I want to feel. I don’t set goals each month, probably only half, because sometimes I feel on track enough with the way my life is running, or maybe the month before I went hard and now I’m seeing what the universe will bring as I surrender and lean into ease.
Instead of thinking of monthly to-dos as big, momentous steps to achieve, or “get things done”, I like to focus on small things that make a big impact on the way I feel. Goals don’t have to feel hard. For example, when I wanted to feel more joyful, I set the goal to laugh once a day. Another month, I wanted to feel more relaxed and grounded, so I set the intention to do abhyanga and take a bath twice a week.
So often we think once we get what we want, then we’ll be happy. But by setting goals to achieve a feeling, you’ll be able to create more success, and enjoy positive feelings during the process of fulfilling your goals.
I like to take some time before a new month to create my goals, but you could also set them for a moon cycle, starting on a New Moon. So, whenever you’re ready, grab a drink, get cozy, and let your goal setting party begin!
How To Create Monthly Goals
Reflect
Take some time to journal, or simply think about your life and where you’re at. We cannot create change in the future if we don’t fully accept where we’re at. Notice as you’re answering these questions how you feel in the present moment, and what you’d like to work towards.
What’s your “Word of the Year”
How do you want to feel?
What has been going well/not well in the last few months?
What will help you feel your best right now? Rest? Action? Play?
Choose 1 daily, 1 weekly, and 1 thing to accomplish
Your goals can be to finally tackle the challenging thing that’s been plaguing your to-do list, or trying something you’ve always wanted to do. Think of the version of self you’d like to become. What does that person do daily, weekly, and on the weekends? If you want something in your life (ex. more friends), use your goals to help you step into the version of you that already has it. What does this person do with their friends (job, partner, dream home, etc), and start doing it now!
Don’t take on more than 3 goals to start. Sometimes they can get overwhelming, so start small, and gradually take on more responsibility as you get more practice with goal setting.
You want to set Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive Goals for yourself. It’s important to clearly define your objectives, so that you can stay on track and clearly understand what you’re setting out to do. We feel incredibly good when we are true to our word, so use the SMART guidelines to establish goals you can reach!
Make it Fun
Reframe your thoughts so that you’re excited to get these things done! If you don’t feel overjoyed to be doing these things, get clear on the “why” behind your goals, making adjustments to your monthly tasks as needed.
Set yourself up for success
Add in some accountability
You can create goals with a friend, simply visualize how good you’ll feel accomplishing what you say you’ll do, or plan to reward yourself with something after you achieve your to-dos
Breathing space
Life always gets in the way, so draft your goals with some flexibility. The SMART technique is great for this, and I also like to add in an alternative if I can’t achieve my goals, that way, I have a second chance at success. For example, my goal might be “Go to gym 3x a week, if not, send a postcard to 3 friends” or, “Paint 1x a week, if not, no chips”.