Setting sustainable and soul-aligned goals is a key skill for creative entrepreneurs like you to grow and recognize your own growth. What do I mean by that? Well, when you’re so in the thick of things, you can forget just how far you’ve come. That’s why taking the time to set goals and reflect on your progression towards them is an important mindset tool and skill to show yourself just how capable you are and to crush some of your goals in the process!
In this post, we’re diving into why setting goals is so important, a simple framework for setting goals with SOUL, and tips on how to properly visualize (and manifest your goal!).
The Importance of Setting Goals
Many people resist setting goals because they:
- Fear not being able to attain them.
- Feel ‘silly’ or ‘selfish’ for setting creative goals for themselves
- Struggle to feel WORTHY of these goals.
- Feel stuck and rigid in that goal
But the fact of the matter is, we all like to know where we are headed and having a goal is like drawing a map for yourself of where you’d like to go.
Just as a map is a guide, it’s not a requirement – you can stray from that path if your goal changes or evolves with you!
You are never stuck.
You’ll love this post on setting goals with SOUL!
A Simple 5-Step Approach to Setting Goals…
Everyone is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach to goal setting is not really my jam as an intentional coach for creatives. That said, many of my clients find a simple framework that guides you in the process useful. Here are 5 simple steps to setting goals…
Step 1: Revisit Your Values
AKA, what is personally and uniquely important to you. Psychologists Barb Markway and Celia Ampel define values as “the principles that give our lives meaning and allow us to persevere through adversity.” It’s important to regularly check in with your values as they will evolve as you change and grow.
Step 2: Consider What You Want To Call In
Take a moment to really envision yourself in the period ahead and consider: what do you want to call in for yourself during this time? What would you like to attract? What would you like more of in your life? This can be a moment you simply allow yourself to braindump and explore what is on your mind before trying to nail down a definitive intention or goal yet.
Step 3: Define The Goal
Take a blank sheet of paper (in your journal, as a sheet of loose leaf, or even using a digital document) and create 2 columns. On the left, write down the values you defined in Step 1. Study each value again as you write them down, grounding yourself in your meaning of each. In the righthand column, begin to align the specific goals and dreams you outlined in Step 2 alongside the value that you believe most aligns for you (in the lefthand column). Trust your intuitive gut instinct here – it only needs to make sense to you.
Step 4: Create A Support Plan For Yourself
How you will actually meet the goal (the daily steps you’ll be taking)? What you need in terms of support to allow you to do that confidently? Don’t skip this step, my friend – having a plan is essential to actually make your dreams and goals happen. Take the time to journal on each of these 3 questions at the least, as you set your intentions for yourself for the period ahead.
Step 5: Find an Accountability Buddy
Hear me loud and clear… It’s really hard to actually create sustaining change without loving accountability. Why? First – there’s something so powerful about voicing your goal or intention out loud! Consider your life already – how much more motivating is it to work towards something once you’ve promised someone else that you will do it? What if we could pursue what we most desire by declaring it powerfully to a witness?
Visualize Your Goal
A vision board is a fantastic manifestation and goal-setting tool. A vision board is a physical or digital collection of images representing what you envision for yourself and what you most want to attract into your life. Finding visual representations of your desires allows you actually to picture them coming your way and how it would truly feel for them to come your way.
You can also use your powerful vision to create a mental image of what you most desire and meditate on that. A huge step to really attaining your goals is to believe that they’re possible for you – and believing they’re possible involves really practicing envisioning it for yourself.
Make Powerful Movements Towards Your Goal….
With the FULFILLED Masterclass.
- shift your focus from outward success to inner fulfillment
- dedicate yourself to your most creative + fulfilled self
- understand how to create sustaining life-changing habits
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5 Simple Steps for Setting Goals
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