Hopefully by now you have reflected on 2019. (If not, start here.) And hopefully you've had a chance to think about how you want to feel in 2020. (If not, it's all good, read this.)
And now – finally – it's time to set some real, actionable goals.
I tend to set a bunch of goals each year. Usually about 9-12. This is a lot. But goal-setting is my job and I have learned through trial and error that a good mix of smaller, daily habit type goals and bigger, project based goals work best for me.
To come up with my ten goals for 2020 I sat with my "feelings" list. How could I create those feelings? What do I want more or less of? What can I do? What do I want to work toward? Here's my list...
- Move the warehouse home to the garage and make it super functional (by Feb 1)
- Finish off the upstairs (master bathroom and interior doors) (by June 30)
- Build out a dream living space downstairs (by September 30)
- Set (and stick to) phone downtime after 5pm
- Don't drink alcohol alone
- Get dressed (in an outfit I feel good in) every day
- Stick to morning and evening skincare routine
- Make it to 180 Pilates classes
- Run outside two times each week
- Read 52 books
As you can see, there are three project based goals and then seven habit based. All of this is realistic but still a challenge. These goals are measurable (I know if I am hitting or missing the mark) and more importantly, meaningful to me. My "how do I want to feel in 2020" exercise helped me figure out where I wanted to focus my energy next year. This list is how I will actually turn those dreamy ideas into something solid.
My three project based goals have deadlines! Those deadlines are based on events! I am out of my warehouse lease on February 1 so it's urgent I get that squared away. I want the major house work done while Paul is gone (one less adult living through a renovation mess plus it will be fun to do a Trading Spaces reveal when he gets home). If you have projects, you need deadlines. Space out your deadlines throughout the year!
My seven habit based goals will start January 1 (I mean technically I am practicing #5 and #7 already but you know what I mean) and will be something I work toward all year long in an attempt to actually feel present, ready and good tired.
So now is the part where I get to formally introduce you to the 2020 daily goal tracker (shown above!). I used a daily habit tracker for the first time in 2009 when I was tracking workouts. (Or in true Elise fashion tracking "excercise" because I can't spell.) I did get some "excercise" in 2009 but more importantly I learned the value of a habit tracker. In 2014 I created my own version and have been releasing them to this newsletter crowd ever since.
You can download your copy right here (it's a zip file and best opened on a computer not a mobile device).
What's the point? Why should you use this simple piece of paper?
First, just printing this and picking what you're going to work is the first step to being accountable. You've committed on paper to filling in those little circles.
Second, this tracker is a visual reminder that you're doing something. When you can see 20 circles filled in January, suddenly the fact that you only could check off 10 in February is less stressful. Shoot for 15 in March and get yourself back on track. (Or, maybe you only filled in two circles in January. Great. Aim for three in February.)
Life is messy. Your kid gets strep throat. The water heater breaks. You forget your running shoes at home. You get strep throat. It rains. It snows! The car won't start. You miss the bus. Your partner deploys. This is what life looks like. You're doing it.
It's normal and expected you'll miss days! But when you stand back and look at your daily goal tracker at the end of the year, your eyes won't go to the empty bubbles. Nope. Instead, you'll see all the filled in ones. You will be proud you kept going. You'll be inspired to do a bit better next year OR you'll be excited to say good-bye to this chart and try something totally new.
Last year I used two goal trackers. My first goal was to make it to 150 Pilates classes (as I send this email I have been to 141). My second goal was to do...Paul (yes, for real, we wanted more sex in 2019 and we kept track and it was great).
In 2020 I am again using two goal trackers. Pilates again and, much less satisfying, running. Technically, I could use one for all seven of my daily habits but that seems excessive and I already have other ways to document progress. I will track my books read on goodreads. My iPhone will track my screentime. I might set up a totally private IG account for my outfits (I love a photo grid). And right now I think I can keep up the skincare and not drinking without a chart (but we will see – I will add if needed).
A few friendly reminders as you head off to think about your goals:
1. The daily goal tracker is a tool. You should use it if it works for you. You should not use it if it makes you feel sad, angry or overwhelmed.
2. You should only set a goal or goals if you want to! And if a goal you picked is bumming you out (today or on January 23rd) CHANGE IT. This is my job! I do this every year! And still 20% of this is going to go terribly and will have to be adjusted as the year progresses. It's all fine.
I'll be back in your inbox before the new year to help you think about picking action items so you can start making progress on whatever goals you choose.
