How and When to Revisit Your Goals
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
We all have hopes, ideas, and wishes for the future—things we want to achieve. Like the quote above says, a goal can’t be accomplished unless we create a plan to achieve it, but we have to dream a little in order to know what to wish for.
Create Categories
If you’re anything like me, you probably set some professional goals for 2022 (I like to call them intentions, not resolutions). I’ve found that the best way to create, revisit, and accomplish my goals is to break them up into two main categories: short term and long term.
This gives you an indicator of what kinds of steps will be needed, and how often you may need to revise things. Try organizing your goals into tables, charts, or lists. Whatever works for you.
Here are two examples each of short and long term goals:
As you can see, doing this helps you break down what kind of timeline you’ll need for each goal. Feel free to jot down any notes you have related to this goal, and questions you’ll want to ask yourself at the end of the timeline. Doing this breathes a little life into the goal and helps keep it adjustable and not static.
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Reflect
The purpose of revisiting your goals is already a type of reflection. Take the previous strategy of creating categories a step further and reflect on each goal as a whole. I find journaling to be the best method for this. Every 3-6 months, jot down each goal one-by-one, and write out your thoughts and developments towards this goal.
Try one of the following prompts:
How has your progress been?
Have you accomplished all or part of your goal yet? If so, how does that feel?
Were there any stumbling blocks or challenges you hadn’t anticipated? How did you overcome them?
Are there any areas that need improvement?
Has your goal changed since you first made it?
Find Balance
There’s a balance to find in the midst of all this goal making. Are you accepting the process as it is and taking it day by day, or are you laser focused on the end goal? Ideally, I believe a mix of both is necessary to move the needle forward and make progress.
You need to keep your eye on the prize in the back of your mind, but also be okay with any adjustments that need to be made. Your goals, who you are, and the life you live are always in motion, so it’s okay if your goals reflect this. Dream big, but scale back if you need to. Just keep moving forward.
Related:
New Year, New Job: 5 Ways To Successfully Start Your New Job in 2022
Tips To Professional Growth After College From Two Career Coaches
Meet The Writer!
Hello! My name is Lea Rose and I am an avid writer with a love for all things international. I recently graduated from UNC Charlotte with degrees in Communication Studies as well as Dance Performance and hope to be a full time travel writer one day. My writing primarily focuses on the ways places and experience shape us as individuals. Please feel free to check out my blog or connect with me through LinkedIn or Instagram @writtenworldblog.
