Your Goal Setting Worksheet

This goal setting worksheet will walk you through the brainstorming process.

Ready? Great! Let's get started.

Oh, but first, have you completed the first six steps in the goal setting lesson plan?

In order to get the most out of using a goal setting worksheet and take full advantage of your brainstorming exercise, I highly recommend that you complete the initial steps in the plan.

Note: If you're ready to move forward and do your goal setting worksheet, you can skip the first two. But, those last four are important for preparation.

So, having done all that prep work, by now you're convinced that goals are the way to go. You're ready to commit to achieving your goals. You've also done some exercises including going through the 50 power questions.

You've also been writing things down in your notebook so that you better know what you want more of in your life. All of this has prepared you for this exercise.

Oops I forgot to mention, as a preliminary step, write down that you're totally committed to improving your life and following through on this goal setting process. Write this down at the top of a page of a blank sheet of paper:

"I am fully committed to following through on this goal setting process and achieving the goals I set."

OK, now... ready... set... goal!

Step 1) Define goal setting (life) areas

It's often easier to divide your life up in to areas, and then set goals for each area. If you're a more free form thinker, however, this may not work as well for you. In that case, move on to the brainstorming.

If it helps to divide things up, common categories include family, romantic relationships, other relationships, personal development, travel and adventure, things/toys, spiritual life, economic or financial goals, work/career/business goals.

Write those down. You may want to use a separate sheet of paper for each life category. You can use index cards if that works better for you.

Step 2) Brainstorm goals for all areas

This is dreamstorming. Anything goes!

Above: A simple goal setting worksheet layout using an index card showing example goals. The numbers to the left are the time frames, in years.

It's
best
to
write
one
goal
per
line.

You'll see why in a minute.

Prompting Questions

What do you want to do? (I want to put an end to homeless cats and go kite surfing in Barbados -- how's that for different?)

Where do you want to go? What do you want to see?

Who do you want to meet? What fears do you want to conquer?

What do you want to have (I want a house overlooking the water, a maid, and a personal chef)

Write for 10 minutes straight and don't stop.

Dream huge. There are no limits. Don't worry about how you're going to achieve any of this, just get it out there.

That notebook you've been writing in... use it. When you can't write any more or if you get stuck, glance at your notes for ideas.

Step 3) Put a time frame on it

Determine the time within which you'll complete each goal. Next to each goal, write one year, three years, five years, 10 years, or 20 years. It's easier if you put one item per line as I suggested above. :)

Step 4) Select top three

Choose your top three one year goals from each area. For each of these top goals, write a compelling paragraph on why you will absolutely succeed in achieving them.

Don't worry about the how, just focus on the why. When you do this, imagine your ideal future. Imagine you've already accomplished the goal.

How will it look, how will it feel, how will it sound? How will you feel when you've accomplished this goal?

Step 5) Take Action!

For each top goal, define and carry out your initial actions that get you closer to achieving that goal. You just need to identify one step that will take you toward the accomplishment of the goal.

These steps don't have to be huge undertakings. These are micro-goals, smaller goals within your larger, longer term goal.

A small movement towards your goal is enough to begin the momentum, but you must be disciplined and start right now. Put a time frame on each micro-goal.

Each of your first micro-goals needs to be something you can do today. Immediately! As soon as you complete your first micro-goal, set two more with time frames attached. Always think two goals ahead from then on.

The key is to:

1. Take action today, immediately! and...
2. Follow it up with another action, and another, and another.
3. Always have two micro-goals in play in case there are set backs for one.

Immediate action + persistence + consistency = results.

Step 6) Share Your Goals

Accountability can be used as a strong motivator. When we know others are counting on us, we often try a little harder, work a little longer, and we're less likely to give up.

In sports, that's a big part of what coaches do. In business, that's what a manager does. In life, that's what a life coach does.

Defining your goals, writing them down, and taking steps towards achieving them all put you closer to your desired outcome. One thing that many people leave out, however, is the accountability.

So, share your goals with someone.

In fact, I invite you to share big! What do I mean by that?

Well, after you've completed the steps on this goal setting worksheet, you can share your goals with the world. You can post your goals publicly on this goal setting form and be accountable to everyone on the Internet. Try it!

I hope this goal setting worksheet is useful for you. The above method can be greatly enhanced by doing things like compressing time frames, doing separate resourcing brainstorms, and other techniques. The important thing here, however, is that once you've begun, you've got momentum on your side.

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