How I Accomplish Tasks With Monthly Goals
Today is blogger's choice, which means I can talk about whatever I want! Mwahahahahaha...
I don't know about you, but I am one of those people who has a really hard time getting things done. Like important things. I am a world-class procrastinator. I'm also terrible with mental to-do lists (I always forget everything). So one of the best ways to combat that, I have found, is to make a list of my monthly goals. This is similar to quarterly goals (which is probably more common that monthly goals) but I find monthly goals much more attainable than quarterly goals for some reason. I guess for me, three whole months allows too much time for procrastination, whereas with a month, you only have 30ish days to finish the list. That just works better for me.
So here's how I like to prepare and accomplish my monthly goals! I thought this would be a perfect time to do a blog post like this, since many of you just started school again or will be starting very soon.
First, a week or so before the month begins, I like to start thinking about the things I want to accomplish in the coming month. This can include everything and anything. To help you get started, let me give you a sample list I had from back in March. Also I added a few things in parentheses so it makes more sense:
-Finish NOVEL (this was before Camp NaNoWriMo, so I was hurrying to finish writing my book before I could move on to a new project.)
-Record & post one song (I play the piano and I wanted to post a song to a service called SoundCloud.)
-Text 5 different people (since I'm a bit shy, I thought it would be good to try and talk to people I don't know as well.)
-Create a room decoration (I was a bit into DIY at the time.)
-Get a NEW book to read from the library (I was trying to read more.)
-Watch Series 3 of Doctor Who (I'm still a diehard Whovian.)
-Make cookies (I was trying to bake more as well.)
-Hang up inspirational quotes
-Vacuum heat vents (Chores can also go on your monthly goals!)
-Take two killer Instagram photos
-pick out a blankbook (Shopping lists are also fair game.)
-Order umbrella
-Buy color gel pens
-Smile, every day :) (See, even fun things like that can go in your monthly goals.)
-Repay Mom $18
So I hope you caught where I was going with that. I didn't just have really big, important stuff on my list (although there were some important things on that list). It can be little things, things you've been wanting to do but haven't found the time for. Things you've been aspiring to do for a long time. You can literally think of so many things once you put your mind to it.
If you're trying to get in the routine of doing something (journaling or exercising, for example), I recommend writing down how many times you want to do that thing in the month (journaling 15 times this month, for example). Then you can increase the number each month!
Another thing I do sometimes is to set a reward. For instance, for April's monthly goals, I wrote down that I would buy myself a Wal-Mart mini pie if I completed the list. (Of course, I didn't complete the list, and I haven't had a Wal-Mart pie since). It doesn't have to be expensive or edible. It could be watching your favorite movie, or going to the beach, or something fun that you enjoy. Most importantly, it should be something you're willing to work toward earning.
Keep generating ideas for your list. My rule is that there has to be at least ten things on the list in order for it to be legitimate. Set a similar rule for yourself.
Get started strong! Try to cross a few things off each week. It's so, SO satisfying to be able to cross something off a list more long-term than a grocery shopping list.
Also, it's totally okay to add things to your list as the time goes on. Adding things when you think of them is crucial, so don't wait until next month! Unless the month is so far along that you know you won't have time to finish it. Then you should wait until next month.
One thing I wouldn't advise is adding short-term events on your monthly goals (things that you know you have to finish with a day or two). I have a separate, short term to-do list that I keep, but I'll have to tell you about that another time.
Look at your list every day. Maybe even keep it with you at all times. That way you'll be able to easily keep track of things on the list.
Most of all, keep trying! If you don't get everything done right away, or feel very overwhelmed, that's okay. Start small and add more and more items to the list each month. Soon, you'll be tackling all sorts of big to-dos, all thanks to monthly goals. :)
Do you have any advice on monthly or quarterly goals? Leave them in the comments to let me know! Thanks so much for reading! I truly appreciate it. :) My friend Abby will be guest blogging for me next week, and she chose an awesome topic, so stay tuned for that next Saturday!
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