Yesterday I introduced a series that I will be doing for the month of October called 31 Days to an Intentional Life.
You can read the whole description here, but here are the cliff notes: many of us, myself most definitely included, are living in survival mode. We're so busy, have so much going on, feel like we don't have enough hours in the day, and are just plain overwhelmed!
My goal with this series is to get back to the basic habits and routines that are the most helpful with this balancing act, rather than trying to fly by the seat of our pants and hope that everything somehow turns out okay. I want to live intentionally, purposefully, with my priorities in check instead of just attending to the most dire "emergency" at any particular moment. Sound good?
So if we want to be purposeful, intentional about our lives, we have to decide what we want to be purposeful about, right? I talk a lot about setting goals around here, and that's because I believe they work!
When I write down my goals and dreams and create a plan of action to work toward them, I have action steps that I can take to make progress rather than just sitting around hoping my dreams will just happen to come true.
That's where we're starting today-- with goals. And like I always do when I want to have a plan and get organized, I made a pretty little printable, and I'm sharing it with you all. You are my favorites, after all. 🙂
[You can see all 50+ types of free printables we offer on the blog in our library of organizing printables!]
{Click here to download a FREE goal setting printable!}
This printable is pretty simple. {But it can be so powerful!} The first thing I did was go through and list some categories in my life that I knew I wanted to work on. Here are some examples of categories you could use:
- Faith
- Marriage
- Children
- Health
- Finances
- Home
- Career
- Friends
- Service
- Education
- Creativity
The list could go on and on. Any area that's important to you or is one of your priorities in life can become a category.
Once I had my categories laid out, I went back and made some specific, measurable goals for each one.
Some of them are smaller goals, like being diligent about tracking our finances in our budget binder for the entire month. Others are larger, like being able to save a certain amount of money by January.
I like the smaller goals because they can give me more immediate gratification, which encourages me to keep going. Larger goals are motivating because they give me something to consistently work toward and have a big payout at the end.
When I write out each goal, I also use the bullet points to map out a plan for achieving that goal.
For example, one of my goals is to implement a cleaning routine in our home. So my bullet points would say, "meet with Donnie and the Cs to discuss cleaning plan," "create a plan of attack," and "designate specific times to complete the tasks during the day."
I have a plan. I'm not just saying, "I want to keep my house cleaner" and leaving it at that. It would never happen. But if I have steps to take to get there, I'm much more likely to follow through.
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Now that I have my goals and I have the action steps I want to take to meet them, it is SO tempting to try to tackle everything at once. I'm feeling motivated! I'm excited to finally accomplish everything on my to do list!
I have found, though, that if I try to change everything at the same time, I usually end up burnt out and discouraged. Instead, over the next few weeks, we're going to talk about making small changes that will eventually lead to better habits and routines.
It all starts with making those goals, though, so warm up your printer, print out your goals sheet, and start writing! 🙂
Have a great day!
What are some goals you've been working on lately?
See other posts in this series here:
Introduction: 31 Days to an Intentional Life
Part 1- Intentional Living: Setting Goals {You're here!}
Part 2- My Secret to Getting Things Done and Accomplishing Goals
Part 3- How My Morning Routine Changed Everything
Part 4- Sometimes Life Happens
Part 5- My Evening Routine: A Work in Progress
Part 6- My Cleaning Plan: The Struggle Is Real
Part 7- 10 Simple Habits that Will Help You Stay Organized
Part 8- The Month in Review
Yes, you did surprise us being on my computer on a Thursday, nice to see. From Cyprus.
Thanks Abby 🙂 I set goals but I don't map out how to reach them, This print out looks great , Thanks Alicia
Thanks so much, Alicia! I hope it's helpful!
~Abby =)
This may be a really dumb question...but how do I print this? I mean, the sizing is off on this page so it seems as if I should be downloading it or something right?
God, did I just really embarrass myself??
Thanks for these. My goals right now are on my finances. I need to get organized!
That's a big one for us, too! I will stay on track for a while and then slack off... time to get on it! Hope you're having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
You have totally read my mind! I thought I would easily kick things into gear when the school year started. I was just thinking this morning that a whole month has gone by so fast but I am nowhere any more ahead than I had been. I am totally ready to hit "reset" and make some changes around here! I think it just might work this time around, I feel like your blog might keep me a bit more accountable and on track! I am totally psyched up this time for sure! Thanks so much, it's the kick that I needed!
Yay! We'll conquer it together! We can do it! 🙂 Have a great weekend, Mel!
~Abby =)
After all you've been thru in last few months with your surgery, it just blows me away how centered you are. I'm not usually a person that worries about getting things done at certain time or making goals. I'm not saying I'll use this outstanding motivating printable but maybe I will. It will be in back of my mind now so won't be able to shooo it away. How did you get on this intentional life plan? Did you see it somewhere, read about it, how did it start?
I'll print out a copy for our daughter also. She has so much going on with two teenage girls and working, being wife, daughter and friend she might enjoy having this for motivation. Thank you Abby for maybe a little kick start for some of us. You are a prize in so many ways. So glad I found your blog.
Happy weekend
Aw, thank you so much, Jane Ellen! As far as where I started, I just have always been a planner and have liked working out systems to stay organized. I read "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode" by Crystal Paine (Money Saving Mom), which I loved too. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend, friend!
~Abby =)
I love this post Abby. It great idea to keep those goal in front of you everyday so you don't forget. This was really a great post to remind me what I need to do. Thanks for sharing. I always appreciate stopping by your blog and getting inspired.
I am SO glad you are doing this series. I loved the guidelines and I really feel I needed to read this. I'm excited to see how things progress throughout the month for you.
I recently came across your blog from a pin on Pinterest! Thank you so much for this! I just printed mine out (had to do it twice since I moved things around so much) and got my goals on paper! I love that there are so many categories - other than just work and home. I am able to be more specific for my work and home (and self) goals just by dividing these into workable categories. Thanks so much!
I love this blog! I was in the hospital not that long ago for a couple weeks and then it took awhile to get recovered even after I was home (all better now...YAY!). Man oh man has it totally and completely thrown my family off track! Time to set some goals and stick with it! Thanks for sharing! Be blessed!
OK!! I finally understand how to fill out this goal sheet. I obviously didn't read the directions last year when I printed it out. I got to day 3 with you Abby on your organizing youtube channel and that's a big deal with all that swirls around in my head. Sticking with it. My house needs to reorganize.
So glad they will be helpful for you, Barbara! Happy organizing! <3
~Abby =)
I am without doubt an unorganised, messed up middle at the moment. I’ve just printed off a goal sheet, I am going to write now at least 1 goal to work on. Well this is the plan!
Yay! Hope it's helpful for you, Rachael! <3
~Abby =)