How to Set and Achieve Your Annual Goals

Why is it so hard to set and achieve our goals? I started asking myself this question a few years ago after finding myself in a vicious cycle of setting goals, losing interest, breaking habits, and never really making progress over time.

Whether we’re setting goals for our work, health, relationships, or personal development, there are simple steps we can take to not only set realistic goals, but take immediate and sustainable steps towards achieving them.

Before we dive in, I think it’s important to note that working toward a positive goal should be a positive experience. Trying to do something healthy shouldn’t create something unhealthy. While we can utilize tips and tools to improve upon ourselves over time, there should always be an undercurrent of overall well-being to pull us back on course when things start to tip off balance. 

With that in mind, let’s walk through how we can reflect and reexamine our daily habits to work toward realistic and holistic long-term goals. 

3 Simple Steps to Achieving Your Goals

Setting long-term goals is important. That gives us the compass of where we want to go. However, it’s the small, daily habits that create change. Finding a balance between macro goals and micro habits can help us shift in the direction of success, without the pressure of completely derailing our routine. 

Step 1: Reflect and Align

When you think back on previous goals, reflect on what has worked or failed for you in the past. What daily routine did you feel most productive in? What daily habits seem to get in the way of you achieving your goals? Think of a time in your life when you felt aligned. Reflect on the things that make you feel most happy and successful. Write out a list of your top priorities in life to guide you when setting your goals.

When I sat down to do this exercise, I established that my top 4 priorities are quality time with family, physical and mental well-being, fulfillment in my work, and financial stability. These may change over time, but this is a great starting point to ensure that my goals align with what makes me feel most happy and fulfilled.

Step 2: Set Long-Term Goals

With your top priorities in mind, set 1-3 big goals for the coming year. You don’t have to include every priority. Start by focusing on the one that feels most important. Write down your goals for the coming year, and think of where you want to be in those areas in 5-10 years. I’ve found that extending my goals beyond a one-year time frame helps me to create a more sustainable plan I can maintain throughout my life.

For example, let’s say I choose to focus on financial stability for the coming year. I would set a savings goal for the next year, and the next 5-10 years, writing down what I plan to do with my savings in the long-term. 

Step 3: Establish Daily Habits

This part can be a little tricky, but is the most essential step to reaching your goals. Focus on 1-3 small habits that will help you reach your goal. Don’t pressure yourself into biting off more than you can chew. Be proud of your starting point, and only take on what realistically fits into your current lifestyle. 

Going with the same example of financial stability, I would work backwards to establish my daily habits. So, if I want to save X amount of money in one year, how much do I have to save each month? Then, looking at my spending habits, where can I cut back to make room for monthly savings in my budget? Once I establish areas I can cut back, I would then set specific boundaries on my spending habits, prioritizing essentials like rent, groceries, and utilities. 

Setting goals and adjusting our daily habits is a great way to make a positive shift. Whether you’re starting a business, wanting to get in shape, or seeking more fulfillment out of your day-to-day life, this 3-step process can help you set the right goals and implement a daily plan to help you achieve them. 

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