My nephew was over visiting me a couple of weeks ago and he was talking about making goals for the year and asking my advice on writing a goal list. We pulled out a white board and started talking about his goals and dreams and I explained to him about creating a vision board and how they can really help focus you and empower you. He loved the idea and he wanted to get straight into creating his vision.
We talked about goals and how it is important to not to overwhelm yourself with too many goals, but rather focus on a particular goal that means the most to you. He knew straight away what his goal was, he had a very clear vision of what he wants and what he is willing to do to get there. So we grabbed the white board makers and got creative! By the time he was ready to go home he was so excited and focused and I told him he could keep the white board and add to it. I recently posted about how to make a vision board if you haven’t read it I will add the link to the bottom of this post for you.
One thing that I really tried to get through to him was that by setting too many goals we begin to loose focus and we tend to let the small goals overtake and that leaves us burnt out when it comes to finding the time and energy to put into the one goal that matters the most. When creating a vision board or just thinking about what your goal is, you really need to do some soul searching. It is not something you can rush. If like my nephew you already know then great, go ahead and get striated, but if you are unsure spend some time really thinking about what it is you want in your life. What is that one thing that is really missing? Perhaps flip through magazines, or look on pinterest and see what interests you. Or just spend some time meditating. It will come to you when you stop and listen to your inner voice.
My point is to try striving for one major life improvement at a time. If you make your goals for this year to be loose 10 kilos, write a novel, get 200 youtube subscribers, learn how to sail and buy a new home, you are going to spread yourself way too thin. Instead focus on one goal at a time, don’t make unrealistic goals. Don’t set yourself up to fail just so you have an excuse to give up when the going gets tough. Be realistic when making goals and make sure they are healthy goals.
Goals should be challenging, they should bring out the fighter in you, but they shouldn’t kill you. Don’t put pressure on yourself to completely change your whole life within 6 months. Focus on individual goals, and then once that is achieved allow yourself to refocus on a new one. Don’t expect to never slip up, mistakes are healthy and you learn from them. Allow yourself wiggle room, allow yourself to grow and change as you go. Your goal may even change as you go and that is OK!
Goals are great motivators for improving your life, but remember to make them challenging, not impossible. One major goal at a time is ideal.
Thanks for joining me, love Mackenzie xx
Here is how to create a vision board.
Other articles you may find helpful when looking to improve your life are
The secret to creating the life you want
See the vision and make it happen
See my motivation board “How to LOVE you” on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram @macglanville
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21 comments
Oh this resonates with me so much. I don’t set myself New Year resolutions, I never keep them anyway. But I have decided to be kinder to myself this year and started making smoothies for breakfast, I always skipped it before. I have also started a meditation class one day a week in my lunchtime, I have to fight with work demands to go but I make sure I do. It is about the little steps. Thank you for hosting Mac xx
This is a brilliant post. I must set achievable goals. Mine are always huge and I never get them done #mg
I agree that setting too many goals can be overwhelming. Especially at this time of the year I see a lot of new year, new me type statuses but thats a whole lot of different goals and very rarely achieved all in one go xx #mg
That makes so much sense! Setting unachievable goals just causes pressure & disappointment. You always have great motivational tips! Thanks so much for hosting x
This is so true. I may have overdone it on the attempted changes this year, but I’m sure it’ll sort itself out over time.
I like how you helped your nephew come up with a plan and a vision for the goals he has set for himself. I agree that we should let ourselves get to overwhelmed by naming every goal we have as that can make our experience more stressful than if we didn’t make a board at all. I love your idea and I’m hoping to get started on my own vision board this week.#mg
SMART goal setting… I like this! I’m guilty of aiming too high, only to wonder why I didn’t quite get there!
This is a great post! Your posts always make me feel so positive and motivated, thank you! #mg
I am amazed how many goals I have achieved already this year, making a list has really helped me. Sarah #mg
This is so true. Making achievable goals makes failure less lonely. #mg xx
I tend not to write down specific goals as I find I put pressure on myself which then leads to failure. I know where I want to get to and how to do it…just got to actually do it. #twinklytuesday
Good advice. It is easy to get carried away. I’ve been resetting my priorities and making a plan this year. Although it is ambitious I am going to let myself take it one step at a time and see where it leads rather than putting so much pressure on myself to achieve it all at once…. You never know, the path might change and with it some goals…. #TwinklyTuesday
What a great post and a reminder that you need small achievable steps to success. I will be coming back for more tips #twinklytuesday
I’ve set myself some pretty realistic goals for 2016, although not SMART ones – they’re more about my approach to aspects of my daily life rather than specific things I want to achieve. I wondered recently whether I might have stopped ‘dreaming big’ since becoming a mother, it feels like I don’t have the energy or resources to achieve anything truly impressive at the moment. I do always love to read a well-written post which motivates me think about some achievable things I could set my sights on, so this was the perfect read for me today – thanks 🙂
Good advice. So important to be realistic or you could just end up disillusioned. #abitofeverything
A timely post in an era where people are indeed burning out by trying to over achieve in life.
A great idea for a vision board. And you’re right about an overcrowded vision board – too many goals really get you no where.
Creating a vision board is a brilliant idea !!!
True, SMART goals make our dreams a reality and successful achievement of these goals also motivates and builds self-confidence in us.
Coming back from #abitofeverything, thanls for linking up xx
Great post it is so easy to put pressure on yourself. I made some new year resolutions and if I acheive them great but if I don’t then that’s fine, even with the best intentions life often gets in the way xx
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