Goal Setting Can Move Mountains

As I woke up at 5:30 this morning to get a head start on my day, I was debating what to write about today. First, let’s start by saying that this whole 5:30 AM wake up call is new for me and is the result of doing a little 2010 planning and goal setting. It is also the result of reviewing my 2009 goals.

I’m a huge believer in goal setting and creating a plan for the year ahead. It’s way too easy to get caught up in the routine tasks of daily life and then watch another year fly by with no progress. I always split up my annual plan into four sections: financial, health, career and personal. This year I’m adding one more part: I want to do something challenging that I’ve never done before.

2009 was a big year for me: I got a new job, a raise, I am living on my own for the first time, I got a puppy, I met and am dating the love of my life, I survived one whole month without shopping, I joined a women’s mentorship program to help underserved high school girls head to college, I’ve strengthened my friendships, took my first girl’s trip (to New York City- also a first for me) and feel a lot more stability and peace within myself.

I’m positive that I would not have accomplished any of these things or made the important changes that I did without my beloved 2009 goals. All year I kept my goals on my desktop at both my home and work computer and reviewed them frequently.

I’ve started on my 2010 list and encourage you to do the same. Split your goals up into categories that are important to you. Your goal setting should be “SMART”:

S: Specific

M: Measurable

A: Attainable

R: Realistic

T: Timely

This year I’m planning on running my first half marathon, reducing my credit card debt, increasing my savings, and doing a lot more with Ms. Career Girl. Of course I’ll need to set specific numbers for my financial goals, and define exactly what I want to do differently here at Ms. Career Girl. I will then break the goals down into what needs to be done each month, week and day to achieve them. Setting milestones (such as each quarter) to review your progress will keep you motivated and on track with achieving your goals and creating your own ideal life.

What big goals did you accomplish in 2009? What do you plan on accomplishing in 2010?

Tagged as: 2010, career, careers, family, goal setting, job, life, new year, opinion, personal finance, personal growth, women