How to set goals and achieve them?

If you feel exhausted in the evening but still have lots of unfinished duties, you need to learn proper time management. The inability to control one’s time is a common problem today. People try to handle lots of tasks knowing a little about their real limits. Goal setting is what you truly need to stay productive as much as you need.

This article will explain the process of creating an effective list of tasks to accomplish a goal.

Clearly Define Your Goal

Clearly express what you want to achieve. Instead of having a vague goal like “Get fit,” be specific. Say something like “In three months time lose 10 pounds” or “In eight weeks run a 5K.”

Generally, you should apply a SMART Goal technique:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

This framework gives structure and clarity, which makes it easier to break into tasks.

Break the Goal In Milestones

Why is it important to set realistic goals? Only movie characters can be superheroes who manage lots of duties simultaneously. Others need to identify key phases and realize them gradually.

For example, one needs to write an article. The possible milestones can be:

• Watching the news to find striking ideas
• Interviewing people and scientists for credibility
• Reading specific sources to find facts
• Writing a draft
• Structuring a paper
• Editing and proofreading, etc.

Moreover, one should give each milestone a deadline. This is how you create a road map by which you can see clearly when each phase should be finished.

List All Necessary Tasks

It is important to know how to set goal. For this, one should brainstorm to collect all tasks and prioritize them. The most important task will become your prior goal. After that, you need to decide what steps should be taken to complete it. Afterward, it is important to think which task depends on what. If you can do it immediately, just do it. If someone can do it, let him do it. Task sharing is effective for everyone – teams, businessmen, and even mothers who usually multitask.

The Eisenhower Matrix is a good tool for decision-making. It helps you see what things must come first due to their priority and necessity. You can also track your progress in long-term assignments, such as learning car driving, writing research papers, etc.

Reward Yourself for Having Progress

Why are goals important? They allow people to feel important and self-dependent. Isn’t it great to achieve something you have been trying to succeed in for so long? So, milestone recording is significant. Each finished task will give you fresh energy for other duties. If you want to visualize your progress, Trello, ToDoist, or Tick-Tick can help you do that. Many modern tools are perfect time-management assistants. One can use their mobile versions or install them for better usability and on-time adjustments.

Analyze Your Mistakes

After you have achieved your goal, review your task list. Talk over what was successful and what wasn’t. This reflection will help you work out a better approach to your future goals.

Effective goal planning is impossible without the analysis of mistakes. Why did you fail the task? What helped you finish the task on time? What else could you do to do this task faster and better?

Take Rest

You should take a rest or at least a break between the assigned milestones. Professionals recommend mixing physical and mental activities. For example, reading can be followed by gardening, or cleaning can be followed by writing. The Pomodoro approach includes milestones with intervals for breaks. Such performance lets people avoid burnout and loss of vital energy.

Eat Healthily

Finally, you should supply your body with the required vitamins and minerals. A car cannot go far without good-quality petrol. A human organism takes its fuel via food, drinks, and rest. So, you should not forget to eat healthily and have enough sleep to stay productive as long as required.