The “What Do You Want” Goal Setting Method

What do you really want?

That’s a great question, something I’ve started asking myself every day. I tend to work on too many things at once. I get excited working on new projects, I can’t help myself! I think I just love the energy of creating new things… and the buzz of launching a new idea.

I created a method to remind myself every day on the most important things to work on.

The Importance of Setting Goals

You’ve heard it a thousand times, but it’s worth thinking about every day. Because if you set goals you’ve already determined your success, you just need to execute. It might not always be the exact success you aimed for, but setting a goal and charging that goal will, at minimum, yield guaranteed success in some form.

The “What Do You Want” Goal Setting Method

The idea is to remind yourself on a daily basis of what you want, and what you’re doing to get there.

First take 10-30 minutes to let your mind wander and write down everything you want. Get comfortable, get isolated, go deep.

Condense that list to 3-5 items. Lean on short term, but mix in some long term so you’re thinking in the present but also have an eye on the big picture.

Having one key goal is great, but adding supporting goals will get you progressing and thinking about them every day. For example, if your primary goal is to become self employed, that’s at the top of your list. But you also want to mix in your supporting goals, like “start an online business”, or “create a cool [fill in the blank]”, or “write a book”.

Having a synergy of goals ensures that as long as you’re working towards one of those goals, you’re getting closer to achieving your big picture goal.

1. At the top of a piece of paper, write What Do You Want?
2. List your 3-5 key Wants
3. Under that, in a different color, write What are you doing right NOW to achieve these GOALS?
4. Tape this piece of paper to your desk or wall, wherever you work to achieve these goals
5. Look at this every single day. Read it multiple times throughout the day
6. As you’re reading it, think about what it will feel like when you accomplish these goals
7. Read the last part again – What are you doing right NOW to achieve these GOALS?
8. Take action and get to work!

Daily Goal Habits

Having a daily plan to achieve your goals is key. This relates to the “What are you doing right NOW” part.

If a key goal is to write a book, then write every day. If your key goal is to be a professional musician, play every single day.

Your daily goal habits will change more often, so post these on a separate paper. Your “What Do You Want?” list as the ever present guide, and your daily goal habits are the action steps that will get you there.