If you remember my post on Losing Focus I was feeling off balance and out of focus. Not that I didn’t accomplish a lot in the past year but more that I wasn’t working towards long term goals and just letting life dictate where I should be going. This made me feel like I was floating through life, rather than directing the train where I wanted it to go.
I had then started a book called The Power of 100! which is a workbook for organizing your dreams and building momentum. It really helps to organize your goals and move you towards achieving short term and long term goals.
I am going to break one of my groups down to show how it should sort of look. Also know that not all 100 goals will necessary be done when you are brainstorming your goals, they may fill in down the road once you complete another goal.
I am going to breakdown the category Career and Finance.
To Complete within 2 Months – Two Goals
Find a Woodworking class to take
Finish watching the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Videos
To Complete in a Year or Less – Three Goals
Take the Woodworking class
Pay off 50% of my debt not including my house
Open up an Etsy Shop
To Complete Within 5 Years – Five Goals
Pay for my next car in cash
Buy or build my dream home
Save up to 6 months of finances in savings
Sell up to $100,000.00 in goods in my Etsy shop
Be featured in a magazine with one of my Woodworking projects
To Complete in 5 Years or More – Two Goals
Be completely debt free including my house
TBD
Some of these goals may change as time goes on and that is okay. The point is to move forward towards them and revise as needed.
In talking with Lauren and Kate via text we were talking about multi-tasking. I know I wouldn’t be able to get nearly half the things I get done, if it wasn’t for my to-do lists. I have lists for everything including things I have to do everyday, through the week, and some longer term goals. I have lists for personal items, blog items, house items, drawings for woodworking projects, and recipe ideas I want to make.
I pull from all the lists some things I want to accomplish or get done for the day. For example last night I was reading my book while on the treadmill, then I cooked some dinner. While my dinner was cooking I put coconut oil in my hair for a hair mask, removed a piece of wall art and replaced it with a new piece, filled my humidifier, and hand washed some dishes. Being able to do a few of those chores everyday may or may not seem like a lot but it prevents them from all spilling into the weekend. We know how busy those are already!
Do you use to-do lists? Electronic or Paper?
How do you keep track of your long term goals?
I love this, Kerry! This is very similar to a piece I’m working on about choices. I am a list girl, myself, and in giving yourself deadlines, you hold yourself more accountable. Love it! You have great goals! I look forward to watching you achieve all of them and more.
Thank you. So much more productive and accountable when you have those deadlines. I am looking forward to tacking them and sharing my progress.
I had no idea you wanted to own your own etsy shop – that is amazing!! I’m really so excited for all your goals and probably should break mine out the same way!! xo, Biana
I have been thinking about it for the past couple of months, and I really want to make it happen. Yes, if anything it is really good to just sit down and dream up everything you want to accomplish in the short and long term.
Wow those are some awesome goals! I need to get my finances in order-would you recommend the Dave Ramsey stuff? I love the idea of writing these goals down like this book – I’ll check it out!
Thank you!! Yes, I really recommend Dave Ramsey. I think he really breaks it down to common sense. I don’t like his payoff principle of paying the smallest balance first rather than the highest interest rate, but I get the concept of needing a win right away to get the ball rolling. I think that is just person preference.
I think writing them down and having them go up in degree and difficulty really gets the momentum going. I really like too that it makes you dream big, and breaking them down into making them happen.
this is awesome. the last time i made a 5yr plan was when i was in school and that plan included finishing school, getting recruited in this IT firm i was eyeing, pay off all my student loans and buying a house. man, that was 5 LONG years but i kept at it and crossed every one of those things off my list a year early.
Keeping goals with a plan around how to achieve each one definitely helped me!!!
Girl, that is awesome. That is a huge accomplishment! It makes such a difference to have a long term plan. It makes you feel like you are working towards something and not just waiting to catch a break. Right?
Goddess speed to you! Wonderful goals The amount of interest paid on mortgages is outrageous.
The 1% are making a killing and even get bailed out by the government. That needs to change, but working toward that goal is awesome and smart.
Love, SMD’s Momma
Thank you. It is so much, you could practically buy two houses with the interest.
I am so pumped you will be opening an etsy shop. You will rock the hell out of it.
Thank you so much! I have been thinking about it for the past few months and I really want to make it a reality!
I used to be all about the lists, but along the way I’ve gotten out of writing them and need to get back in the habit. It’s cool to see the plans for more than just a few months out and how they expand with the time frame you’ve given. Wishing you all the best as you embark on this journey!!
Yes, get back to it!! It makes such a difference. Yes, as you build they all sort of snowball into each other. Thank you so much!
These are amazing goals!
Thank you. Hopefully I can make them all happen!
Just reading your to-do list makes me tired. I swear it could be its own post. How do you remember what’s on it? How do you make sure it’s with you? Long term goals are awesome. I have never been a good goal setter. I guess there’s never been anything I wanted badly enough to make a plan for it. That sounds really bad! I mean I would love to be debt free but I’m currently debt okay so I haven’t made a goal to be better, if that makes sense. I’m amazed by your multi-tasking and forward thinking!
Haha! It just might have to be. You always give me great ideas. That makes sense.
I used to think the same even reading the book I was thinking “Yeah my goals have never been that lofty, I don’t want to hike Kilamanjaro, or get a doctorate, I want a simple life. I want to love what I do for work, not owe anyone money, and have a home that works for me, and makes me happy to come home too.” Simple enough but to get there steps need to be taken. That’s were the short and long term goals come into play.
I have that book on my Amazon wish list. As soon as I get some more gift cards from swagbucks I’m buying it. I’m a total list maker & they have to be hard copy. I don’t care if they are typed or hand written but they have to be hard copy.
It really is a great book. It really helps setup how to think and setup your goals. His story is really touching as well. I am such a physical list person too, though I do use electronic version of some lists too.
these are some great goals girl and you are like the most productive person i know, so you can totally do them all. an etsy shop? how exciting!! you know i will contribute to that $100,000 goal of yours 😉 and i totally agree about to-do lists and multitasking the little things – it doesn’t seem like it helps when you are cleaning the house with a hair mask on but it really does, in my opinion 🙂
Thank you so much! I have to work at it! Aww thanks. I hope so. Yes, I totally did that last night with the hair mask. Tonight is waxing my brows, face mask, and painting my toes. Doesn’t take long but it will all get done, thanks to my list.
Okay, you are awesome, and I love this list! And I will totally shop at your easy shop…as long as you ship to Canada 😉 Also, I hear you on the multitasking…it really is amazing how much you can accomplish if you’re organized enough to do multiple things at once!
Awww thank you! Of course I can’t forget my Canada peeps! Yes, even just a few minutes of getting a bunch of things out of the way really helps from them not piling up.
oooo I am very excited to see what you offer in your Etsy shop! Good luck, I know you can knock all of these out of the park 🙂
Thank you. It is a little bit away but I am excited about it. I hope so, some of them are really big ones.
This is a a great idea!! I want to try and I can’t wait for your etsy shop!
Thanks! You should! It really helps you dream big, but also break them down so you can complete them in smaller tasks. Thank you, I hope I can make it work!
Dream big girl! You have some fabulous goals!
Thank you. Anything is possible with a plan! Hopefully I can make them come true!
You would be amazing at an Etsy shop! You are so creative with your projects and they turn out so well!!! I really love how these goals are broken down to now, soon, further off and 5 years. It really does help you focus!
Aww thank you. I get so nervous about them so I need to build my confidence up before selling them. Yes, it gives you something to do to start and something to work towards.
This rocks! I have a big long life list but I don’t often break them down other than the year that’s in front of me.
I’m like you – doing this while I’m doing that. I don’t know how to operate any other way!
Yes, and I like that is different categories to focus on so you are balanced in focusing on a little of everything. I think that was why I was so frustrated I wasn’t looking beyond the month, or the year at the bigger things I wanted to do, so I felt like I was just getting by, rather than working toward a bigger goal. I don’t know it was a very reflective start to the year.
Yes, I can’t imagine doing or being any other way!!
Good luck with your goals!
I don’t make To Do lists but I should. I forget things so easily.
Thank you. Yes, I would forget so much if not for the lists!
I haven’t done great at setting goals lately. I love your goals especially your long-term ones – so exciting!!!
I love making lists. Even though I have gone to an electronic calendar (one that syncs with my husband’s stuff too), I still like making lists with pen and paper.
Thank you. It really makes a difference when you write them down. There is just something with pen and paper but I do use electronic versions too. Especially for groceries and shopping items.
I make endless lists and I would never get anything done or remember anything if I didn’t. I always have a notebook within reach so I can jot ideas and to-dos down at a moments notice. I might have to get this book . I have a hard time making goals and actually completing them in some sort of time frame!
Yes, never without a notebook of some kind. It really is good for getting you to open up your mind to some of the things you have always wanted and making a plan. It really works to start small and build on it keeping your momentum.
Love your goals. I’m going to have to look for this work book. I’m a list crazy person! I made my own planner because I can’t handle the fact that I have so many facets of my life not in one single place. It worked out well and I’m pretty happy with it. You should DEFINITELY look in to that!
Thank you! Making your own planner is a good idea! I never have enough room to write, draw, and cross off what I need to. I’ll have to look into it.
This is an interesting way to think about goals. I like how you can plan for bigger goals further in advance and check off some smaller ones soon!
Yes, it’s designed to help you build momentum while learning and growing enough to tackle the bigger goals along the way. Here’s to hoping at least.
What a fantastic idea! I never really thought about goals that way. I think I’m going to have to check out that book
It really is good to break them out in smaller more attainable goals, and them build from them. It really helped me to visualize and dream big.
Kerry, these are such wonderful goals! I love the way these are laid out, too! What types of products are you wanting to sell in your Etsy shop? I can’t wait to see how far this dream can go!
Thank you. I think it will really help to build momentum. I haven’t completely decided but some wood art, and possibly some knitting, though custom mugs is a possibility too. Thank you for the support, I am at least daring to dream.
I like the way these are broken up… rather than just one long, daunting “to-do” list.
You really SHOULD start an Etsy shop. I’m gonna harp on you about it. Cause your stuff is cute friend. You’re good at it and you enjoy it… DO IT!
Yes, smaller goals makes it seem less do-able! Thank you for the support friend! Yes, don’t let me let fear get in the way!!
Love how you break them down. For me, breaking things down make them doable! Yay you on all these goals and kudus for even wanting to take a woodowrking class!! I hope you will blog about it!
Yes, it makes it less overwhelming. I really want to learn more so I don’t feel like such a novice. Of course I will! 😉