Goal Setting Templates
You don’t need to rush this goal setting process. It is not something you do once and leave. It will form a living, document that will evolve over the weeks, months and years.
Remember it is in the process not just the results that you will gain happiness and satisfaction.
I have templates for all the documents that will make up your success manual. If you would like a free copy, then just contact me. Here is a summary of the process of making your life’s purpose into concrete action steps.
1. Vision:
First spend time writing out your vision; give yourself a good few hours uninterrupted to do this. You can use the exercises in the Goal Setting section.
2. Long Term Goals and Mission:
Next start to word out your long-term goals and mission. Make sure you have at least one goal in each life area to give you balance.
3. Annual Goals:
Once you’ve done that then put your annual goals together. These goals will be made up of stepping-stones to your long-term goals, annual targets and other things you want to achieve this year.
4. Annual Review:
Put in your diary or planner, for New Year’s Eve or near to it, to repeat the process 1-3 above.
5. Monthly Goals:
Set your monthly goals, using the COMBINED formula. Make sure you have a minimum, target and stretch for each. There will be only one goal in each life area.
6. Monthly Review:
Put in your planner or diary on first day of each month, an appointment with yourself, entitled Monthly Review. This appointment is to be sacrosanct, not to be missed.
7. Projects List:
This list is for all the things you want to complete, which will take more than one action to perform.. Why do you want to complete this project? If you can’t answer this satisfactorily, then don’t add it to the list.
If you think of something related to your goals, you can add them to this list until you are ready to put them on your Monthly COMBINED list. This way you can keep track of supporting projects and sub goals.
You can also use it to add all those niggly jobs that build up.
8.Weekly Goals:
Next, fill out your Weekly goals list. There may be more than one per area and some areas might not have any goals this week. You should also put any weekly targets in here as well.
Weekly Review: Again, another critical appointment with yourself entitled Weekly Review. Do your weekly review at the same time every week, for instance every Friday afternoon. (See later).
9. Single Actions List:
This is a list of all those odds and sods that crop up. Single actions are simple tasks that are not related to a goal or project. These are usually those maintenance type of tasks.
They could be things like errands or repairs, or they might be things that ensure the smooth running of life. They are also not reoccurring tasks. Check out the sections coming up for how I recommend you tackle these types of tasks.
10. Daily Review and Daily Action List:
Here is another appointment you should set with yourself, but this time you will do it every day. Some people recommend setting this in the morning, some people recommend in the evening.
The key thing is that you make it a habit to do this every day, so pick a time that will allow you to keep this habit, without distraction. See later for more on the Daily Review.
On your daily review, you will write out your daily actions for the following day (or later that day if you choose the morning). This list is what you are committed to doing on that particular day.
This is not a to-do list. Whatever you put on this list, you are committing to complete. First, you list your appointments from your calendar and any reoccurring tasks.
Next check through your weekly goals and list any actions you can take to move you forward in them.
Finally check your single action sheet and add any items that you can complete. Avoid the temptation to overload your day. It is better to get into the habit of completing one or two important tasks that will move you closer to your goals than get bogged down with loads of busy work.