Unpopular opinion: goal setting is overrated. Simple action steps are underrated.
There. I’ve said it. Don’t get me wrong, having goals and setting them is great but they actually don’t help you achieve them. You can create as many vision boards and lists but how do you plan to tick off these goals?
I have made this mistake myself in the past. At the end of the year or the deadline I created for myself, I would look at the list and feel disappointed that there were so many unticked goals. Creating the goals was not the problem. The problem was I didn’t get super specific on the action steps I needed to achieve them. To achieve a goal, you need to have simple habits. To do these simple habits, you need to create action steps that will help you achieve the end goal.
Spring has just started. This is the perfect time to evaluate and reflect on the goals you set in January. If you have you been inconsistent in the last three months, use this time as a refresh to start again. Starting over doesn’t mean that you are starting from the beginning. It means that you are starting with experience. Keep taking more steps forward regardless of the setbacks.
Let’s dive straight into 7 simple ways to create action steps for 2023
Simple Word Of The Year
Whatever you want to focus on this year, name it. Speak it out loud and write in your Notes app or a journal. I was introduced to the concept of a Word of the Year back in 2016 (2016: Changed Mindset) when I got serious about my fitness journey. Having a Word of the year is a great and gentle way to be specific on what your intentions are for the year. You want to choose a word or a phrase that you want to focus on this year. That word is going to bring more awareness to your actions and align you in the direction that you want to go towards.
Bible Verses Related To Word Of The Year
Once I have chosen my Word of the Year, I turn to the Bible and find 1-2 verses that are directly related to my word. I don’t choose any verse. I choose verses that speak to me. My life would not be where it is without God and my faith. I want to ensure that my plan is aligned to the plan that He has for me. After selecting my verses, I write them down in my journal so I can see them every day and remind myself why I am moving in this direction.
One of my verses for the year is: Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.”
If you are not religious, find 1-2 powerful quotes that relate to your Word of the Year. It doesn’t matter where these quotes come from and they should evoke a feeling from you when you read them. This isn’t a step to skip or forget about. This step is setting the foundation of what you want to achieve this year and why.
Break Goals Into Categories
You are multifaceted and so is life. There are multiple areas in our lives that we want to work on this year. Break those areas into categories so you know where each goal fits. For example:
- Personal
- Finance
- Career
- Health & Wellness
- Travel
This list isn’t exhaustive and there are more categories that you can add to it. I suggest having no more than 3 goals per category because having too many goals can overwhelm you to the point that you want to quit before getting started. 3 is a simple and small number that is manageable. When creating your goals, be specific on what they are.
Don’t write ‘Be fitter’ – what does that actually mean? Write ‘Improve my body shape’ or ‘Transform my physique’. Clear and specific goals help provide direction. This makes it easier for you to get to where you want to go because you gave a defined direction of where you want to end up.
Create Simple ‘I Am’ Statements
Before we get into writing the action steps for these goals, write an ‘I Am’ statement for each category. I was introduced to the ‘I Am’ statements back in 2021 when I decided to call myself a content creator. You’ve created these goals because you want to become this person in the future. Declare and affirm that you are this person now. These statements are so powerful because they reflect the true intentions that you have for your life and what the future has for you.
For your health & wellness category, you can write for example, ‘I am mentally and physically fit. I am full of life and abundant energy.”
Create one for every category and then you are ready to set action steps to achieve all these goals.
Break Goals Into Simple Action Steps
This year, I focused on creating 4 simple action steps for each goal within every category. I’ve found that they have helped me to stay disciplined as I work through them. The key for planning these steps out in advance is to track your progress and assess it. For most, if not all, of my goals have a timeline. A timeline will help you decide how the tasks should be done and give you milestones to check off once you reach them. In short, it will motivate you to stick to the plan and achieve them.
How do you create the steps?
One of my goals is to go on solo dates at least 2x a month. Here are the steps that I created:
- Create a jar with solo dates activities/ideas
- Choose the activity at least two weeks before, plan & schedule in calendar
- Mandatory: Always dress up for date including hair & makeup
- Have fun, build confidence and discover new things
The beauty of these steps is that they are individualised for you based on your lifestyle. Here’s the thing, you have to keep yourself accountable. Place your goals and action steps somewhere that you can always see them. Now that you have the process, go out there and achieve your goals!
Final Thoughts
I want to see you win this year. You should want yourself to win this year. I believe that wanting more for yourself should be normalised. It shouldn’t be seen as selfish or greedy but aligned, focused and intentional. Another reason why I’m sharing this with you is because I love taking all of you on my journey with me. This blog would not be where it is right now without your support. I truly believe that when I accomplish something or celebrate a win, we all share in that win.
I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into my process with these simple ways that you can adopt as you re-evaluate your goals for 2023. Thank you for reading and share this with a friend. Check out my Instagram for more wellness content. Drop any comments that you have below. If you like wellness and self-care, make sure to subscribe to the blog.
Until next time,
Folakemi
