Goal setting is one of those things that we all know we should do but have a hard time doing. I think that mostly happens because people don’t have a process to follow for setting their goals. It’s also a skill to develop. Problem is, we expect to just be able to set goals. That’s not how it works. Just like anything else, it takes reps with goal setting to get good at goal setting. Realize that if you’ve never set goals, you’ll likely need to take multiple cracks at it before you dial it in. So, be cool, man.
You’ll also need a process with which to practice. Here’s a quick, dirty, and easy to follow “how to” guide for setting goals in 2023. It teaches you exactly what to do.
How to Set Goals for 2023: Brain Dumping and Free Writing
This first step gathers the raw materials needed to craft your goals. Start by breaking the important aspects of your life into categories and list them in a notebook. For example, you could list career, family, finances, fitness. Then, start writing the first things that come to mind in each category, and don’t censor yourself. While writing, keep the lists for all of the categories in front of you. Inevitably, an idea in one category will spur an idea for another. It also helps to set a timer so that the session has book ends. Fifteen to 30 minutes per session works.
Do this over multiple sessions. Review what you wrote last time at the start of each session. It’ll help spur more ideas.
How to Set Goals for 2023: Filter Your Ideas
Once the ideas are on paper, we begin the narrowing process. We’ll different filters to narrow ideas into goals.
Start by thinking about who you want to be at the end of 2023.
What does that person look like?
What qualities do they embody?
What have they accomplished?
How are they seen by others?
These questions will help you determine what is currently most valuable to you. Write the answers down; read them several times; think about what the answers tell you about yourself, what’s meaningful to you right now, and what you currently value most.
Once you have those answers, filter your goal ideas through them. Keep the ideas that are congruent with your self-vision and your values. Discard the ones that aren’t congruent.
Your list will narrow, but it will still be big. You’ll need to do more work to chop it down.
How to Set Goals for 2023: Pick One or Two Goals for Each Category
Okay, here’s where the process gets spicier. It’s time to narrow down the ideas to the one or two most meaningful for each category.
Having goals is a good thing. But it’s one of those good things that you can have too much of. Too many goals spreads your focus too thin and often causes paralysis by analysis. You also only have so much time and can only take so much meaningful action.
Meaningful is the operative word.
Read your potential goals list under each category. Re-read your vision and values statement for 2023. Then ask yourself which goals are truly most in-line with your vision and your values. Take your time here and be honest with yourself. Rushing this process and telling yourself a nice story just so you can get it done will get you nowhere.
Once you’ve read, re-read, considered, and thought critically, write down the one or two most meaningful goals for each category.
How to Set Goals for 2023: Set Priorities
Once you have your goals listed under each category, consider your priorities. Where does your life need the most attention in 2023?
You can get that answer by reflecting on 2022 and considering where you did the best and did the poorest. Do you need to dump gas on the fire of where you did the best? Or do you really need to do the work to break up your weak points? Only you have the honest answers to these questions.
Return to your visions and values for 2023. What do they say about what aspects of your life need the most attention?
Once you have your answers, review your goals and set your priorities. You should be able to see which areas of your life take precedence over the others. You should also be able to see if there are any goals that if completed first will help you to complete the other goals.
Now, rank your goals in order of importance.
How to Set Goals for 2023: Make an Action Plan
All goals live in the land of nice ideas until you do something about them. You must take meaningful action. And meaningful action requires structure.
Answer the following questions to create your 2023 goals action plan:
- What actions must you take to achieve the goal?
- When will you take these actions? (Daily, weekly, time of day, etc.)
- Where will you take action? (Home, work, gym, kitchen, etc.)
- Who will you need help from?
- What obstacles could get in the way of you taking action?
- What will you do to overcome or circumvent those obstacles?
Create an action plan for each of your goals.
How to Set Goals for 2023: Keep a Notebook
Your goals work needs a home. So, keep a notebook or a running document on your computer or phone. It should include all of the work that we’ve described up to now, as well as progress notes from regularly scheduled reviews.
Check in with your notebook often so that your goals, and the action towards achieving them, stay top of mind. Some folks prefer to check in daily, and others prefer weekly. Experiment with a schedule that works for you and stick to it.
Remember, your goals must be meaningful and actionable, or they aren’t goals. Follow this process over the next few weeks and you’ll have goals to start with for 2023. Don’t, however, be afraid to edit, update, and change your goals as the year progresses. That’s not a license to ditch on your meaningful goals when the work gets hard. But it is permission to review your goals and make sure that they’re still in-line with your 2023 vision and values. Stay engaged with and keep taking action. Even if your goals morph and change throughout the year, you’ll be much farther down the path just for sticking with the process.
