Are your goals a priority? How can you tell? Are you consistently meeting your goals? If not, read on.
In this post, I’ll show you how to determine if the habits and goals you set for yourself are really priorities by following the self-assessment I take and show you the planner layout page I use.
Are Your Goals a Priority?
If you make empty promises without the intent to follow up and do the hard things to accomplish your goal, then I hate to tell you the bad news. Your goal or habit is not really a priority.
Reflecting on your actions will show you whether or not your goal or intended habit is actually a priority in your life or if you’re set up for failure.
A Sure Sign Your Goals are NOT a Priority: Making Empty Promises
Life is full of empty promises that we never intend to keep. We make them to acquaintances and friends. Sure, we’ll get together. I’ll give you a call. We should have dinner sometime. We neglect to set a date, time, or follow-up because we don’t intend to keep the agreement.
Do you also make empty promises to yourself? Have you ever promised that you would start a diet next Monday only to find that it’s #nationaldoughnutday? And decide that you should begin your well-intended diet the next Monday instead?
What Changed the Commitment Rollercoaster?
I was always on this rollercoaster of hollow commitments to myself and never got anywhere. After reading several goal-setting and habit-forming books, there was one thought that kept recurring. All of these goals and habits had to become a priority to become an accomplishment or a formed habit.
Here is the Harsh Truth
The harsh truth is this: your actions show what is really a priority in your life. If it’s a priority to lose weight, you will either skip the doughnuts or plan carefully so you can have the right amount of doughnut and still keep your promise to yourself. Most days, I skip the sweets – and guess what? I’m ok.
What are Your Empty Promises?
What things in your life do you empty promise – either to yourself or to those around you? Take a hard look at how you spend your time and the actions you take when faced with a hard choice. You’ll soon find out if your goal is really a priority or if it’s just a wish.
What If You’re Not Perfect?
Keep in mind that not every day will be perfect. And most days you’ll have some sort of set back. This is a matter of assessing your overall intentions and actions. This is not an opportunity to rip yourself apart and tear you down. It’s an opportunity to think long and hard about the positive actions you’re taking. Then build on those rather than bash yourself about what you do to hinder your progress.
Goal Example
For instance, I want to learn how to do chalkboard lettering so I can go to other businesses and pitch my talents (it’s a thing). Well, the harsh truth is a big fat NO – I am not making this a priority.
But here’s what I have done:
I found a really great chalkboard to practice and have all the materials to practice, and I look at it every day. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but I can build on it. If I focus on the positive actions I already have, then all I have to do is change the negative items.
So this is what I would write as my plan to make this goal a priority:
Block out a time every day (or week) to practice chalkboard lettering. Decide which materials I like best to start, but don’t eliminate any upfront. Find some Skillshare classes that teach chalkboard lettering. Use quotes from my monthly quote page so I can have something to practice. Reassess progress in a month.
Continuous Changes to Make Your Habit a Priority
When you do an assessment, it’s not once and done, you make corrections, come back and reassess. What new positive actions have you added to achieve this goal? What obstacles do you face? And the Harsh Truth is always there to give a reality check.
Then set your plan, refocus your attention and energy, and go out and work toward those goals again.
Here’s the Planner Page I created to help me assess whether or not I was serious about the goals I set. You can recreate this in your planner (tag me @chocolatemusingscreates – I’d love to see it!).
Goal Priority Assessment:
| Goal | Positive Actions I Take | Actions that Hinder my Goal | Harsh Truth – am I making this a priority, Yes or No? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Loss | – Weighing in every day – Recording everything I eat -Using an app to track everything -Sticking within my recommended daily allotment | -Snacking too much -Getting stuck in a rut and not finding healthy alternatives when I want a snack or meal -Going to the store hungry -Not planning meals | Yes, but I could do better. The goal is to change my eating habits permanently and affect the rest of my life. Refocus and keep going! |
The Plan:
- Order groceries online so I don’t add snack items as I wander the aisles.
- Do not shop hungry!
- Add daily walks back into my schedule.
- Use my bullet journal to plan meals & shopping lists.
- Make a list of healthy alternatives and post it on the pantry/fridge door (maybe it will help the kids, too!).
Want to know more about my weight loss & health journey? I share snippets from my planner and daily activities in my quest. Click on the image above
Other Examples of My Goals in Need of a Priority Assessment:
- Running a creative business.
- Creating a how-to doodle book.
- Getting out of debt.
- Replace the income from my job.
- Create a lettering course.
- Go-to Chalkboard letterer for local businesses.
- Clutter-Busting (read post #1 & #2)
Here’s your question: What do you want to do?
How to Get Started
What’s the big goal in your life you keep chasing but never seem to get any closer to the end? Follow my example and write down your goal, the things you do consistently to achieve your goal. Then admit to yourself what you struggle doing. Finally, what does the harsh truth say?
Remember: this is not a time to beat yourself up. Capitalize on your positive actions (even if it’s a recurring thought) and build on those.
Here are some books I’ve read on organizing, decluttering, and habits. I’d love a recommendation and add it to my list. Let me know if you have more to add in the comments below.
