It is clear that having goals is important to our happiness. But how do you choose the right goals? There are so many options for goals! The method I use to choose personal goals during an annual review is an effective way to see which life areas need to be improved. It’s simple to: 1. Describe what you want to create (outcome) 2. Mark the current status as negative, positive, or neutral, and 3. Choose actions to do to improve the life areas with a negative status.
I then choose one personal goal from each life area of I. Mind II. Body III. Heart, and IV. Soul to focus on. For each of these I choose next actions to do that are tied to measurable key results. I include core values, a personal quality to develop, and strengths. There are habits that I want to maintain, and a place for things I want to stop or do less of. I also select and plan purpose goals that AIM for a vision that is active, inspiring, and meaningful. To plan personal goals, download the latest version of the Goal Shift Chart pdf with possible measures and examples of objectives and key results.
A previous version of The Goal Shift Chart pdf includes the Rules of Goals to help you create a game plan to reach your goals.
Here’s how to use the Goal Shift Chart:
Begin by asking “What will make my life awesome in this area?
What experiences and contributions would make your life awesome? Choose your most important and meaningful goals to focus on the shift you want to create. For each area on this chart, fill in the blank of this sentence: “In this area, I want to create _____.”
1. Think of one word that describes what would make your life awesome. Write it in the CREATE column. This is simply an exercise to generate ideas, so don’t worry too much about where something fits or if you can think of a word for every area.
2. Circle (or highlight) the current status. If the area needs improvement, circle the left arrow. If you are doing well in the area, circle the right arrow. If you are neutral or satisfied, circle the pause symbol. If you feel you are doing fine in an area, consider if there is something you might do to take it to the next level and make it great.
3. For each area put a specific action to do that will create what you want in the DO column. There can be many different ways to achieve your goals, here are some ideas for goals. If your goal is to create strength in the Physical area, your DO might be weight lifting. Notice that these goals are not yet SMART.
4. Review the actions to do and highlight your top two or three priorities to focus on.
5. Take the actions that will create what you want to change the negative left arrows to positive right arrows.
Here is an example:
There are several areas to maintain, and a few could be shifted from fine to great. But it’s pretty clear where to get started. The next step is to make your goals SMART. The video below describes this exercise, learn more at Map Your Values.
Download the Goal Shift Chart (pdf) and make positive shift happen!
For a more in-depth status report, check out the energy level gauge. To learn more about goals: review How to Set Goals, find ideas for goals at the Goal Plans tab, or consider getting my ebook, “Get Goaling: the simple guide to set and achieve your goals.”
I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.
Daily PlanIt 
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