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Set achievable goals and watch yourself thrive
Set Goals the LaZy Way
If you’re like me, then setting goals can seem overwhelming, and maybe even feel like a waste of time. Don’t worry, my laZY girls, I’m here to explain how I set goals that are easily attainable and trackable over time.
Key notes
- Simplify your desired outcomes.
- Take baby steps in the right direction.
- Allow yourself to falter every now and then.
What are you ultimately trying to accomplish?
Determining your outcome is the most important step in setting goals for yourself. After all, you can’t put in directions for your GPS without setting the location first.
Where are you trying to go? Are you looking to build a stable career? Do you want to get in better shape, or save money? You need to figure out your destination to understand how you are going to get there.
One of my dreams is to become a successful business owner, working in the field of forensic psychology, and being able to set my own schedule. I want to help as many people as I can and do something meaningful with my life. Unfortunately, I am a little 20-year-old in college and working full-time but barely affording the cost of living. I currently work a corporate job, which is nice for the benefits and the income, although rather small at the moment, but I even managed to create an outcome with my current career: to progress and advance to a leadership position and guide others to greatness.
Great, so now you have an idea of what you want to achieve and where you want to end up. Now what?
What steps do you need to take to get where you want to be?
The next big idea when it comes to reaching your destination is finding the steppingstones to lead you there.
Your biggest dream in life (or this year) may be something you can achieve in a couple of months, or it may take years to get there. No matter how big your journey is, though, you need to figure out what you need to do at each step to get you closer. That being said, it’s important that each goal you make is easily attainable. You may get to your destination faster if you take bigger strides and leaps, but it sure will wear you out faster.
I’m currently focusing on my current position at work. When I first started my job, my plan was to just ride it out until the end of college. Then, after realizing how quickly I was advancing, I realized I had so much opportunity with this company. I never wanted a boring 9-5 desk job, until I started one. I looked into ways I could incorporate my passion of psychology into a corporate job and realized I could potentially grow even more if I go into marketing. So, I created a first step: apply (as a double major) for a marketing degree through my school. As I go through my classes, I also have smaller goals set in place that I can actually work on each week. I look through my team’s resources, figure out what we need to improve our jobs, and put myself out there more by making actionable choices that benefit both my team and my company overall.
This, of course, is just one example of steps I have taken to enhance my career, and truthfully, the results so far have been small, but enough to encourage me to keep moving forward. I have already noticed small leadership positions I have taken, even though I’m not in a leadership role. My team comes to me for advice on how to handle certain situations, and they tend to ask me questions to assist with their roles. Might I also mention that I am the newest and youngest person on my team, yet I have put myself in a position where I am respected, valued, and looked up to, even just as a peer.
Last but not least, what happens if you fail or falter?
Have you ever taken a wrong turn while driving, even though your GPS is giving you directions? While this may be a little inconvenient, the GPS always finds a way to reroute you, and you still end up at your destination- even if you are a little late. This same concept can be applied to your goals, and you shouldn’t be scared of “making a wrong turn” at some point. Honestly, if your destination is important to you, then you will find a way to get there, even if it takes you a bit longer than you initially intended.
Take, for instance, my dream of working in forensic psychology. My first year of college was less-than-desirable. I went to a university that was four hours away from home, and honestly, I was thriving lifestyle-wise, but definitely not academically. It came to the point where I was failing every class (please don’t do that, those classes are too expensive to not even pass them) and on academic probation. I honestly thought for a little bit that maybe I just wasn’t meant to get my degree, and I considered dropping out. Then, I decided to try online classes and moving back home to have a more stable support system. Now, I am truly thriving academically (4.0 babyyy), taking classes part-time, and learning how to be a responsible, independent adult (although I still live with my parents atm). This entire journey so far has taught me that it’s okay to take a step back and take more time to reach my goals. I’m in an environment where I can have more control of my daily schedule (not for work but for school) and do what I need to do to get to my destination.
All in all, remember that it’s okay to fail; it’s actually important to make mistakes, because then you can learn and grow from them.
Take control of your future, but remember to stay laZy.
I would love to hear your feedback, laZy girls! Let me know what you think 🙂
