Did you know that people who set goals are ten times more successful than people who don’t?

Goal setting is a fun and efficient process that can significantly improve your life. While most people stick to setting yearly goals, I think that writing down monthly goals is a more efficient way to stay motivated and organized. 

Throughout this article, I am going to share with you some tips for successfully setting and achieving your monthly goals.

Why do you need monthly goals?

Before getting to the actual process of setting goals, let’s find out why this activity is so important.

To begin with, in order to fulfill your wishes, you first need to figure out what it is that you actually want. Setting goals can help you clearly picture the life you want and set a direction. This way, you will know exactly what things are worth your while and where you want to invest your time and resources.

Secondly, it will keep you motivated. Achieving short-term goals will make you feel proud and boost your morale. This will not only increase your self-confidence but will also give you the motivation to continue pursuing your goals.

Did you know that merely fantasizing about your goals is demotivating? The reason why I encourage people to set monthly goals instead of sticking to yearly goals is that it’s easier to achieve what you want if you break down your main goals into smaller ones. Taking smaller steps helps you create an action plan so that you don’t feel lost or stuck. Plus, seeing yourself achieve smaller goals will keep you motivated to work for your dreams.

Tips for setting monthly goals

Now that we’ve established why goal setting is such an important activity, let’s make every month count and see how we can efficiently set and achieve monthly goals.

Check out some tips that have helped me throughout my goal setting journey:

1. Use a planner

Find a planner you like and let’s get started! You don’t need a fancy agenda, especially if you are new to this. You can turn any type of notebook into a planner.

Writing things down is generally better than just thinking about your goals for several reasons:

• It allows you to see things from a fresh perspective
• It prevents you from forgetting things
• You can identify certain patterns, such as setting the same goals
• You can review your progress
• It helps you create a routine and stick to this habit

Plus, studies show that people who write down their goals are 33% more successful in achieving them than those who formulate outcomes in their heads.

Therefore, take the time to clearly describe your goals and get a clear picture of the things that you want.

2. Start by setting yearly goals

The point of monthly goals is to help you achieve your bigger goals step by step. Therefore, before going into details about what you should accomplish every month, I advise you to see the bigger picture.  How would you like your life to look like a year from now? Set yearly goals and then think about the steps you should take to achieve them.

3. Plan your month in advance

Start by writing down all the activities you already know are going to happen. This way, you will have a clear schedule and you will be able to estimate how much time you have for other activities.

Once you have done this, set achievable goals that will bring you closer to fulfilling your yearly goals. For example, if you plan on reading more this year, set a goal to finish one book by the end of the month.

Also, you can create a vision board. Add any quotes, words, and pictures that inspire you. This is a fun and uplifting activity that helps you create a clearer picture of your plans. Return to this board whenever you feel stuck or you lack motivation.

Identify your priorities

You might have different plans and wishes for different aspects of your life. However, life can sometimes get busy and it’s difficult to focus in too many directions. Therefore, it’s important to know what your priorities are for each month.

Not sure where to start? A good idea would be to set a monthly focus and identify the area of your life where you want to invest the most time and resources. Alternatively, you can think about three key tasks you want to achieve by the end of the month and focus on fulfilling them before getting distracted by other plans.

Set realistic goals

Start small and be realistic about the things you can achieve in one month. Pushing yourself too hard will only make things worse, as you will feel demotivated by the end of the month if you fail to achieve your goals. 

Also, go into as many details as possible with your planning. The more specific your goals are, the easier it will be to achieve them.

Make time to reflect

One of the most important parts of setting and achieving your goals is checking and reflecting upon your progress. 

Perform a weekly check-in and think about the following questions:

• What did I achieve this week?
• What can I improve in the future?
• What challenges did I encounter?
• What am I proud of?

By analyzing your progress, you will know what things you can improve. Plus, by seeing how far you’ve come, you will feel more motivated.

Reward yourself

Celebrate even your smallest accomplishments. Research shows that you are much more likely to achieve a goal if you reward yourself. Therefore, whenever you finish a task or achieve a goal, do something that’s enjoyable for you. This could be anything—take a day off, eat a piece of cake, or watch your favorite show. Whatever makes you feel happy can work as a reward. Plus, it’s essential to take a break from time to time and disconnect from your daily activities and just focus on self-care.

Let’s do this!

I hope these tips will help you set and achieve your goals in a more efficient way so that each month will bring improvements in your life. You’ll notice that goal planning will bring fresh excitement and motivation to your life.

What is your strategy for planning and achieving your goals? Let me know in the comments below!