Goal Setting Steps 3-5: Defining the Goals with Timelines, and Adjust Regularly and MY goal list

Hi friends!

Here are the last steps in goal setting, all combined into one post. At the end, I’ll tell you what goals I’ve set for myself.

I think goal setting is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, who can be tempted to spend time on disability sitting on the couch or in the bed. But believe me, EVERY person on earth has a purpose and we all have ways we can contribute. If you are bedbound, what can you do to improve yourself, the world around you and contribute? There are bed exercises, reading and research, and contribution via creation and interaction you can do online. Everyone can contribute and everyone should set goals so your time on earth isn’t wasted. Life is much, much more than consuming information, television and entertainment.

Define your goals clearly.

Clearly articulate what you want to achieve. The more specific and well-defined your goal is, the easier it will be to create a plan to reach it. Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure your goal is well-defined. Remember statements like, “read more” are not smart goals; instead, a goal like “read one book a month” is a smart goal. Other examples of a common goal, “lose weight” is not a smart goal, where “lose 20 pounds this year” or “exercise 30 minutes three times a week” is also a smart goal.

Set timelines for small tasks that lead up to completing the goal.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! As a longtime project manager, I’ve learned that breaking mammoth tasks into actionable steps is the key to success. Building a house has smaller steps like having plumbing done, pouring concrete, putting in electrical, adding the roof and wall, etc. When you break big tasks down into small steps, it’s easier to think about what to do next. You can also then know for each step, if you’ll need help or expertise with each item, where again, monumental goals are too hard to figure out when you need to get some help and exactly who to call in.

Establish a realistic timeframe for achieving each step of the big goal. Having a deadline creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused and on track. Make sure your timeline aligns with the nature of your goal and allows for steady progress.

Monitor progress and adjust as needed.

Regularly assess your progress toward the goal. Track your achievements, identify areas where you may be falling behind, and make necessary adjustments to your plan. Flexibility is crucial, as circumstances may change, requiring modifications to your approach. In my 28 years working in government, we set annual goals, and then met monthly to discuss where we were, alert managers if help was needed or resources needed to be adjusted.

In my personal life, depending on the goal, I’ll reevaluate more frequently, especially as I get closer to a goal. I write books, so if I set a deadline for June 1 to finish a draft, that means I should be plugging away at the book over several months to give myself time to stop and research, read and re-read sections, and rewrite before I am ready to send the draft in to the editor. I’m not perfect with this (yes, I wrote Aqua Therapy for Lipedema and Lymphedema in three LONG, LONG days because I procrastinated for some reason, but now I know better!).

I wrote this book in the longest three days of my life.

Remember that goal setting is an iterative process, and adjustments may be necessary as you learn more about your capabilities, the environment, and the specific challenges you encounter. Regularly revisit and reassess your goals to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with your overall objectives.

My Goals for 2024 (so far). [Feel no pressure to do this many. I am extremely goal oriented.]

Eat Non processed foods and no ‘sweet foods’ or soda pop for the year. During the week, that means 19/21 meals need to be unprocessed, with a wiggle room allowance for emergencies, family gatherings and parties. This also gives me an allowance for a piece of wedding cake if I go to a wedding. And believe me this is a tremendous change for me, who would eat desserts after every meal if health would allow me to do that.
Learn chemistry basic principles by taking a pre-college course, and then a college level chemistry course this year. I take free classes with edX.
Get my line of shoes up for sale this year, including the loafer, and boots, and design out and plan two more styles for Winter 2024 or Spring 2025 (much of this depends on other people so I need to add some flexibility here).
Declutter and get rid of unused items from my laundry room and bedroom closet by the end of March.
Finish writing and publish Sugar Mamas to be able to deliver it to the FDRS conference in April.
Finish writing and publish Empowered Legs to be able to send it to edit by January 15.
Identify and start writing on one more book before August 31.
Volunteer at least 12 nights at the Civic Center in 2024.
Continue to exercise at least 200 minutes a week, adding in at least 2 sessions of strength training per week.
Make and post at least one quality video for my LegsLikeMine YouTube channel week.
Spend at least one hour a week on social media to learn of any new challenges faced by lipedema patients that I might be able to address, either personally, or via the Lipedema Education Group.
Spend at least one hour a week on the internet to do research and reading of any new information, articles, or research on lipedema that needs to be shared.
Speak at two large conferences (over 200 attendees) about lipedema awareness this year.
Publish at least 12 lipedema friendly outfit articles this year.
Spend at least 2 hours a week with my mom in person.
Visit at least one place I’ve never been. This is tentatively the Stingray City Sandbar in Grand Cayman.
Continue volunteering with Girl Scouts in the gold award committee monthly.
Use my vibration plate daily.
Mentor one person for one hour at least 40 weeks this year.
And my one, not-smart goal: Do as much as I can, as often as I can to help move my kids’ lives forward, help them, spend time with them, encourage them, and love them.