5 Lessons that transformed how I set and accomplish Goals

Setting goals has been a regular practice that I have done for many years. Especially in the last five years, I have taken a more disciplined approach to planning for my year and tracking progress on an ongoing basis. As I start envisioning my next five years and planning, I want to document the valuable lessons that have helped me accomplish great things.
 
In this blog post, I will share my learning about goals in the last five years. Check out some of my "Her Plan" posts to help you accomplish your goals.
 
#1: Set Bold and Aspirational goals

While reviewing my goals, I realized they were safer as I tried to avoid disappointment. I set goals I believed I could accomplish and celebrated when I did. Then about three years ago, I started setting goals. They helped me push myself to dream bigger than I was before. I started being more comfortable with feeling unsure about how I would accomplish my bold goals.
 
Lessons learned 

• Bold goals broaden your view of what you could accomplish
• Aspirational goals motivate you to work hard towards your goals

 

#2: Create agile and flexible Plans
Having a plan is excellent. How you adjust your plan over time is actually what makes you successful. For many years, I struggled with making changes to my plan. I felt that changes to my plan meant I was doing something wrong. In 2020, I was reminded that a lot is out of my control, and accepting that my goals would need to change was the only way forward.
 
Lessons learned 

• Accepting change as part of your goals setting process will prepare you for when it comes
• Reviewing your goals often and making necessary changes makes your plan stand the test of time

 
#3: Celebrate your Accomplishments (even the little ones)
For the longest time, every time someone asked me what I was doing to celebrate a key milestone, I hardly had a response. I was not used to celebrating myself. One of the practices I started over the last three years was to plan for celebrations. When I accomplish a goal, I know that celebrating is a part of my process.
 
Lessons learned 

• Celebrating your accomplishments helps you see how far you have come
• Marking key milestones energizes you for the rest of the journey

 
#4: Surround yourself with people who are working towards large goals
As you work towards your goals, it is essential to surround yourself with people who are also working towards big things. Your shared sense of community, encouragement, and knowledge will improve your journey. I talk about my goals with my friends and family regularly. Their support keeps me going, especially when I doubt myself.
 
Lessons learned 

• Being around goal-oriented people will help you stay on track as you work towards your goals
• Sharing your knowledge and resources enables you to grow

 
#5: Believe in yourself
Over the last five years, I have done many things that I never thought I would be able to. There were moments when opportunities came up, and I seized them with some reservation in my mind. Looking back, I am very proud of myself and grateful that everything turned out the way it did. The bold goals I set that seemed too big a few years ago are now things I accomplished. It gives me hope for the big things that are ahead of me.
 
Lessons learned 

• Know that you have what it takes to be successful
• Be proud of how far you have come

 
Time for Reflection
What lessons have you learned about goals in the last five years?
What do you want to accomplish over the next five years?
What new routines do you want to start as you achieve your goals?