How To Set Goals and Stick To Them

Do you have a laundry list of things you want to do in this life that only seems to get longer as time goes on?  As we get older we all get busier and adult life kicks us in the butt until all we can seem to do is go to work and watch Netflix on the couch until it's time for bed only to wake up and do the exact same thing tomorrow.  Depressing much?  I want to talk about setting goals and sticking to them.

It's easier said than done, but let's give it a go together, shall we?


Step 1: What do you want to do?  I'll give a few of my own responses for each step as examples.
a) I want to build my blog following.
b) I want to work out in the morning before work.
c) I want to finish un-packing since moving in May.

Congratulations!  You just set your goals!

Step 2:  Narrow it down.  If your goals are too broad, there will be too many paths to success to choose from that you'll end up stuck at the fork in the road, choosing none.
a) I want to get my blog to 5,000 page views a month.
b) I want to work out before work Tuesday - Thursday.
c) I don't want any boxes left sitting in the spare room by Thanksgiving.

Ok, now that you have a very specific goal, let's start figuring out how to get there.

Step 3: How are you going to achieve those goals?  You need to create actionable steps - a roadmap for yourself to get you from here to there.  Some of these are even mini goals themselves, that might take a few steps to get to themselves.
a) Grow my social media followings to create an audience for my blog

• Finish reading the Instagram Guides and implement the tactics
• Schedule time each day to focus on Instagram (not just scroll through!!)
• Create a Pin-able image for every blog post
• Share interesting/funny posts on Facebook mixed in with my own posts

b) Wake up earlier every day

• Go to bed earlier every day so it's not as hard to wake up

Make breakfast and lunch the night before so there's less to do in the AM
Pick out workout clothes and work clothes so getting ready goes quick

c) Go through one box every day (ok maybe every other day :P)
Make piles - keep, donate, attic

Step 4: I'm guessing you've gotten to this point before - implement!  This is the part that takes the work.  You HAVE to follow the steps you just set up for yourself.  Here's a tip: STOP making excuses!!  We all do it:
a)  I've done everything I can, my blog just isn't growing
b)  I'm so tired, I work hard, I deserve to sleep in
c)  I'll unpack eventually, there's just too much going on right now

Well guess what - the excuses will never end.  Your life isn't going to suddenly pause and say "Ok, now you can accomplish all those goals, I'll just wait".  Life is only going to get faster and faster so you have to dig your heels into the ground and make every day count!

SO, if you didn't already, grab a pen and paper and follow the first three steps above.  Set 1 goal or set 10, but make them realistic so that they're something you can achieve if you put in the work.

One great thing about social media?  Accountability, baby!  I just shared 3 of my actual goals with you, so now I'm going to have to actually do them - eek!  Share a goal with a friend, put it as your Facebook status, or better yet comment below and we can hold each other accountable.

Let's do this friends!  Here are a couple awesome quotes to inspire you.  Set them as your phone background or print them out for your office wall!

Don't forget to Sparkle!

XO ~ Katie