How do you stay focused on your goals?? I mean the BIG, LOFTY, INSANE ones. The ones that had been on your mind and heart for years.

Several months ago, I started writing them down each morning. It was strange but in the span of a couple of weeks, I heard at least three times, from three different business ‘gurus’ the importance of actually writing them down, not just keeping them in your head.  

Honestly, it’s a game-changer I didn’t expect!

When I started this practice, I thought it was a silly waste of my time. I questioned the value of doing this practice every day. I know what I want to accomplish. They are MY goals after all. But I quickly learned that this daily practice was anything but a waste of time!

In fact, writing down those same goals every day has kept me much more aligned with where I want to be and what steps I need to take to get there. 

To be clear, these goals are NOT the daily, monthly or even yearly goals you might have set around the new year. These goals are the bigger life goals. The ones you aren’t entirely sure how or when you will achieve them, but ones you are determined to see through.

Yes, the list is pretty much going to be the same day after day after day. And that is more than okay. There may be a moment in which you add a new goal as life changes. Or a moment you get to remove one you have achieved, or one that no longer fits you.

So, how has the practice of writing these down daily made a difference?

Let me give you an example!

Run a sub-4 marathon is one of the seven big goals I write down every day. Am I fast enough now to run that? NO WAY! Do I have a specific date or marathon in mind? Nope.

But… now that it is something I write down every day, guess what I don’t skip? My daily workouts! Because I might not be at sub-4 speeds yet, but I’ll never be there if I’m not putting in the work. Plus, when I feel like stopping a workout early, or not giving it my all, my brain immediately reminds me of that goal - that goal I write down each and every day!

When should you write down your goals daily?

Honestly, I think that is up to you and how you operate. I know people who write them down first thing in the morning when the alarm goes off. I know others who write them down while sipping that first cup of coffee. There are some who write them down just before bed. 

The point is, find a time that works well for you and be consistent about it.

For me, after trying out a couple of different times, I have stuck with writing them down in my prayer journal as soon as I begin my morning time of meditation. They are always the first entry on the page for the day.

Give it a try for one month! 

Not convinced that this is a game-changer for you? I challenge you to try it out for one month. See if you notice a difference in the way you do things, in the way you prioritize activities in your day, in the way you focus on actions that will lead to your goals. 

And if after a month, you don’t see any benefit go ahead and stop the practice. There’s no need to do something that isn’t beneficial.

Interested in hearing more about this topic? Earlier this month Mona and I discussed this topic at The Imperfect Millennials!