SET CLEAR GOALS
Do you know that less than 10% of New Year’s Resolutions are actually achieved? The problem with resolutions is that they aren’t specific and they don’t create habits to work towards the goal.
Here’s how to make those resolutions into goals that you can actually achieve.
Most people set a resolution of something like “I want to lose weight.”
The problem with this phrase is that it’s vague and un-actionable.
Instead, try setting a realistic monthly goal for how much weight you want to lose.
Tips for Monthly Goal Success
Only choose one goal per month.
Goal does not have to be big..just one you can work on every day.
TAKE ACTION
Once you decide on a monthly goal, it’s time to take action.
Break down the goal into small, actionable steps you can do every day.
Remove all obstacles that will keep you from your goal.
For example, if your goal is to work out every day. Set your gym clothes and sneakers next to your bed at night. Then when you wake up in the morning, you can put them off and head to the gym without giving it a second thought.
What if your goal is to quit drinking soda? Remove all soda from your home and replace it with other drink options.
I decided to quit soda five years ago. I committed to going without soda for 30 days.
So, I removed all the soda (Coke was my go-to) from my home. Then I replaced it with sparkling water.
I’m not going to lie, for the first ten days, I really craved Coke and even had dreams about it!
But after that, it got easier.
At the end of 30 days, I decided to just keep going.
About six month later, I was out to lunch with my family and my daughter ordered a Coke.
I took a sip and I couldn’t believe how sweet and syrupy it was. I had absolutely no interest in drinking it any more!
That was five years ago and I haven’t had any soda since then!
What I was most important to me, though, more than giving up Coke, was the fact that I could actually accomplish that goal.
That knowledge has helped me set lots of other goals in all aspects of my life and know that I can see them through.
HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE
Do whatever it takes to keep your monthly goal and daily task to achieve it at top of mind.
Set reminders on your phone.
Add task to your daily to do list.
Put sticky note reminders on your fridge, bathroom mirror, and computer.
Create a tracker in your planner or bullet journal.
Tell a friend about your goal and ask them to help keep you motivated all month.
Monthly Goal Ideas
Where should you start with setting monthly goals?
Well, the goals don’t have to be big. In fact, you are much more likely to have success by making a little progress every day.
To help you kick things off, here are 52 monthly goals for you to choose from.
I’ve added lots of links to help you choose the right goal to suit and improve your life.
In addition, I divided the goal ideas into categories that are the most popular areas where people want to make changes.
Categories include work, fitness, dietary/health, personal development, self care, and financial goals.
MONTHLY GOAL IDEAS FOR WORK
Use time blocking- how to use time blocking to get the most out of your daily schedule
Only check email twice/day
Try Pomodoro method for productivity
Clean and organize your desk -
Find a mentor
Join a mastermind group in your industry
Improve your typing speed
Organize your paperwork/files
Organize your digital files
Clean up your email folders
Find a new job
Attend networking events
Update your LinkedIn profile
Update your resume
Get professional headshots
Use apps to get more organized and efficient such as Basecamp.com, Grammarly.com, Clickup.com, Monday.com, Trello.com
Take an online class to improve your skills and advance your career
MONTHLY FITNESS GOAL IDEAS
Walk 10k steps/day for a month
Go to the gym every day for a month
Try a new exercise for a month such as yoga, pilates, HIIT, jogging, walking, hiking, swimming, biking, weight lifting, or jumping rope
30-day plank challenge
Couch to 5k running challenge
30-day sleek arms challenge
Little black dress challenge
Lose the love handles challenge
30-day push up challenge
30-day yoga challenge
MONTHLY DIETARY/HEALTH GOAL IDEAS
Cut out sugar
No caffeine for a month - 10 health benefits of living caffeine free
Drink more water and monitor your water intake all month
Eat breakfast every morning - top 5 health benefits of eating breakfast
Replace soda for water for the month - how to stop drinking soda
Quit alcohol for 30 days
Pack your lunch instead of buying it - here are 52 cheap and easy ideas
No snacking for 30 days
Give up fast food for 30 days
Lose 10 pounds in a month
Try meal prepping
MONTHLY PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GOAL IDEAS
Read one book a month
No TV for 30 days
Make your bed every morning
Clean out your closet
Start a capsule wardrobe and only wear those items
Take up a mindful hobby such as knitting, bullet journaling, or painting
Volunteer - 12 ways to get started volunteering
Declutter your home
Learn something new
MONTHLY SELF CARE IDEAS
Take a tech break from your phone
Start a gratitude journal
Keep a mood tracker
No complaining - 30 days of no complaining
Go makeup-free for a month
FINANCIAL MONTH GOAL IDEAS
Quit eating out for 30 days
Put money aside every day - Every time you spend money using your debit card, an app like Acorns.com will round up to the nearest dollar and save that money for you.
Don’t buy new clothes for a month - How to make cute outfits with clothes you already have
Use the cash envelope system
Sell your old clothes
Create a budget you can stick to
Start an emergency fund
Skip Starbucks, make coffee at home - 6 ways to make coffee at home without a coffee maker
Only buy generic brands at the grocery store
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