Tracking those goals
Back in February I reflected in one of the weekly Jedi emails how I was doing against my reading goal for the year. According to Goodreads I was on track with my reading goal for 2020. Which in February four books. Given one was a re-read and two I started before the start of the year this didn’t make me feel particularly optimistic. It did still feel good to be told I'm on track which gives me a little hope and kindly 'spur on' kind of feeling. It’s now July and I’m an impressive 9 books behind schedule.
Tracking in a visual way, that has meaning for you is one way to help you meet your goals. Set the goal and make the timeline. Then decide on the key actions you need to take on a daily or weekly basis to meet this goal. Then find your way to track your progress on these actions.
So, for example, it could be getting a number of emails in that inbox (you know you have that magic number), then commit the time each day to address your emails (3 set sessions through the day is the best advice I've come across so far). Then have the counter, post-it note or place in your journal - where-ever is obvious and visible for you to track the number of emails.
My reading goal has stayed the same the last few years, and I haven't met it and I love to read so what gets in the way. James Clear offers his advice here on achieving goals - you need to take on the identity of a person who reads (a lot). Reading 52 books is an outcome, to make reading a habit, I need to create the identity of a prolific reader. (This example was so much more realistic than creating the identify of someone who can manage their emails - so much work still to do there). His advice continues to support your habits by giving yourself small wins along the way.
Writing about setting and tracking goals is a minefield as there are so many suggestions, advice and commentary. TED wraps the various options up into a neat playlist of 5 talks. I wrote to you a few weeks ago about the power of writing down your dreams and sharing your goals. I'm sharing some of my goals with you. But in under 5 minutes Derek Sivers has me thinking that I'm not doing myself any favours. Though writing them down seems to be OK, just don't tell anyone.
Bel Pesce takes your dreams and gives you 5 ways to kill them. Another short TED talk that ends with an important message about enjoying the journey on the way to achieving your dream or your goals. Those visual trackers are a great way to remind you of the journey, how far you've come and celebrate along the way.
For a collated creation of goal setting and tracking take a look here. Want to try an app to track your progress? This article from Forbes has 10 recommended apps from a range of coaches.
The final advice, I love the best and sums up succinctly what I'm attempting to get across this week - use what works for you.
