One of the hardest parts of blogging, aside from getting through the introductory paragraph, is coming up with a title for a post. You (or at least I) want it to be short, clever, encompassing of the topic and, of course, spark some interest. Did I accomplish that with this one or does my wit still only make me laugh? You don’t have to answer that, I know it’s the latter.
As I mentioned on Friday I felt in a little funk and wanted to experiment with some pen-to-paper goal-setting. Honestly, thinking about goal-setting evokes two different sets of emotions: 1) Wahoo! Goals are great for productivity and making the most of time. On the contrary, 2) Life is meant to be enjoyed and not pressure-filled. Goals can cause stress and make me feel the need to be “on” all the time.
Obviously the “easy” answer is that goals are great for certain things, times and places but not others. But this isn’t an “easy” answer for me…it doesn’t say anything as to what, when and where goals are good. I like specifics. Tell me exactly what to do and I’ll do it well. It’s the gray area that causes me trouble and where I end up losing motivation. Ironically, I think life is best lived in the gray area, that is, after all the place of balance and freedom.
Here’s what I’m learning: not setting concrete goals doesn’t make you a lazy, just like setting goals doesn’t automatically make you productive or “better.” Both sides are good for different reasons, it’s the “why” behind the actions that is most important.
Personally, I needed some time (mainly post-graduation) without goal setting. Time to just go with the flow and embrace the ultra-lazy days when the most productive thing I did was walk my dog. I know many people set weekly goals (of different magnitudes) during vacations, breaks or off-weeks, but I needed time away from that. To some extent I was still productive, but just not in an intentional, organized way that many people are.
I think this is a lot like running and training..not every race is a goal race. Some are about having fun and just finishing. Some phases in life are about having fun and taking things as they come. Neither is better than the other.
So here I am, in a goal-setting phase. It doesn’t have a set end-date or specific requirements. I might check in occasionally, but I don’t have any plans for writing about it regularly. Embracing that gray area.
But I will share my goals for this week.
-Go to yoga at least 2x
-Spend 10-15 minutes every day Pinning (on Pinterest)
-Read (an actual book) for at least 15 minutes every day
-Cook one recipe for the blog
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Short and simple, just how I like it. They’ll likely change weekly and depend on many factors, but I’ll never be one to create grueling or harsh goals that lead to an unhealthy mental state (i.e. “I need to run more this week than last week”). Not my style.
I think a variety of both personal and business goals will be a good balance for me at the moment. Oh, and I did actually write these on a sheet of paper too. I said I was going to do it and I did. My always and forever goal/motto: practice what I preach.
Love these goals, I might join you :) I’ve been pretty bad at goal setting lately, I need to get better. When I was going through your phase (the post grad pre career phase), I did the exact thing. Enjoy it now!
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Join me for yoga!!!
Personally I love your blog, and love sharing it! Keep it up! Very Informative, creative, and interesting information.
😊
Your comments always make my day :) Thanks for your continued support!
My approach to GOAL SETTING is as quirky as I.
But the most important thing for me is if I think about something once it’s not necessarily a goal. By the second time I ruminate on it? It’s time to get the idea serious pause and consideration.
I like that approach! It takes the pressure off making every goal a “big” goal (by not labelling it as such and giving it time time to settle).
I do not like to set goals…It totally gives me anxiety! I feel much better just doing my “thing” I step and one day at a time. What works for me is to write my daily chores down on my notebook and cross them off one at a time, so at the end of the day I feel good about what I accomplished. It is the little things! And YES to yoga!
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…Powerflow Yoga Studio In New Jersey
I LOVE crossing things off a list. Sometimes I make a list of things I’ve already done just to cross them off ;)
EMILY. You’re literally going to fall out of your chair when you read the post I wrote for Georgie on Thursday…. It’s SCARY how much we write about the same exact things! I love this though and I’m the same way. I love love setting goals and I usually always achieve them, but they aren’t always what’s best for me. I love what you said about not putting a time limit on them (I LITERALLY said the exact same thing!)
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I would say I’m surprised but we were separated at birth so…. ;)
Can’t wait to read your thoughts on it!
I do set goals and I like to keep a close follow up of them. This way, I remove the stress you mention. I know what I need to do, when, how, how to make up should “life happen” in between, etc.
Just saying one is going to do something doesn’t mean they will accomplish and that can generate tons of frustration.
Absolutely! You need to put effort into your goals or else it ends up being a cycle of frustration and lack of motivation.
You know I’m all about the goals so I love this idea for you! I also like how you’re starting with weekly goals so that you can achieve them and keep going. Good luck this week!
Gretchen | Gretchruns recently posted…Top Five Friday : April 1 Edition
I was actually thinking about you and your goal-related posts! Thank you :)
I love goal setting since it holds me to something, but I go through phases where I set goals a lot or don’t set any (usually during breaks and vacations). I usually spend Sunday getting my to-do list together for the week and set goals for what I want to get accomplished every day.
I set a goal at the beginning of this year to practice yoga once a week and so far I have practiced yoga once every week (besides when I was in NOLA). It is always a day I look forward to, especially after a tough workout.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Top Morning Habits of Fitness Bloggers
That’s a nice Sunday routine to get everything together! I agree- it’s felt great to do yoga regularly (even if it’s only bene a week of regular practice for me haha)
I set flexible goals that can be changed based on the day or how I’m feeling. For example, if I wanted to spend two hours reading one day, but an emergency came up at work, it obviously wouldn’t happen. I like goals, but having a past of perfectionism really turned me off to “all or nothing” thinking. I just go with my flow.
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I think that’s a good approach! A balance of structure and freedom.
I think goals cause me both excitement and anxiety, depending on the circumstances as you said. Right now, a lot of my personal goals are really exciting, like finishing the NYC Marathon in November. But I don’t necessarily have a ton professionally because that part of my life is pretty uncertain as to where I’d like to be not just in the long haul, but even a year or two, and that’s just stressful, so my motto is to finish the year and see where life takes me :)
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Ah I’m so excited for you and the NYC Marathon! That’s a good “distraction” for the uncertainty in your professional life.
Completely agree with your view on goals…it’s a tricky game to play because sometimes I feel like they hinder my life and sometimes they genuinely help me. I think your approach is spot on. Sometimes we just need breaks from any goal setting!
Hayley Blake recently posted…The Warriors Game
Exactly…sometimes the goals are beneficial but sometimes I’m mentally/physically/emotionally better off without them.
I am so similar to you! I feel like when I’m in a super productive mood I’m like “goals goals goals.” Other days I could care less about the insignificant things I set out to do. I do have big goals that I want to achieve in life someday and that’s what keeps me going a lot of the time. I feel like I just need to find the happy medium of setting goals vs living carefree ya know?
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…6 books I read in March
Completely agree! If we are talking long-term goals I have a list that is kind of overwhelming to think about right now. It’s a weird balance of working toward those goals while also taking some things as they come.
Love the title! I need to get better at setting goals! I just tend to do stuff haphazardly!
That’s not always bad, though! I think having a little of both (goal setting and spontaneity) is ideal.
i’m all over the place with goals. i used to make really strict ones and then berate myself when i ‘failed’. i finally realised that i can let go of a goal without it being giving up, because sometimes life changes or you change and it’s silly to work towards something that doesn’t match you or your life anymore, you know? but i still like making certain goals, and they do help most of the time, but i just know when to let go of something now, if that makes sense. good luck with your goals! this might be random but if you are struggling with the reading one, take a book into the bathroom with you. okay i know that’s a bit weird, but my baby bro had issues reading growing up and that’s what his reading teacher told him to do :)
I used to do that too, especially when it comes to grades in school. Anything less than an A was a disappointment. I totally relate to goals changing!
I loved reading this! I am pretty terrible with setting goals – either they’re too broad or they’re too hard for me to keep up with. I love the goals that you’ve made for yourself. I might have to join you on the yoga one!
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I’m so glad you can related :) Join me in the yoga practice! I prefer going to studios but I’ve done a few online videos too.
The struggle of writing the intro though :D. I really want to fit more yoga into my routine, it always makes me feel so much better.
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When I’m in a groove with yoga I feel my best! It’s been hard to get back into a routine, so hopefully this helps.
I never thought of this, excellent point! I think we get too caught up in being productive all the time and forget to relax and enjoy the moment. Your goals look great for the week- I should limit myself to 10-15 minutes on Pinterest, I can get caught in the vortex of all the pins!
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Thanks, Sarah! I went through a time last year when I was so focused on doing well in school/extra-curriculars, that it caused me so much stress. Not worth it! Hoping to find a balance of both extremes :)
I really love this Emily and your perspective on being able to see the good and bad in both having and not having goals. I’ve definitely found myself being too goal driven to the detriment of my happiness and social life. I realized that either making mini goals or just goals to change my habits have been a good way to balance the two.
I think mini-goals are so key! Daily and weekly ones that keep you/me on the right track without being too strict.
I totally appreciated the title. ;)
You know, in my “old age” as a mom, I have very few goals long term. Most of my goals are “don’t pull my hair out” and “get the baby to eat something besides hummus.” Haha.
But seriously, though, I totally get where you’re coming from. Goals are great, but sometimes we just need to live in the “now” and focus on the short term. I get anxious, too, if I aim too high or don’t give myself enough room to change my mind or veer off course.
Catherine @ foodiecology recently posted…An Unplanned Lesson In Self-Esteem
I love your comment because I totally get how some days are “just get through,” even though I don’t have a child that causes me craziness ;) I want to live in the “now” but also work toward my best life. I’m thinking that in order to get to the latter I need to focus on the short term, at least for now. Ah..sorry for the ramble!
I love, love, love goal setting. Your goals are great.
Thanks, Ashley <3
I love this post – it inspired to me get on my weekly goals! I usually do this, but hadn’t for this week yet! Thank you!
I try to do yoga 3x a week, but now I’m on a yoga break…will probably start in another week, but this week was about running and a little strength training.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I know the struggle of trying to fit in all types of workouts…I’m loving running, strength training AND yoga right now.
Love this! I am good about setting big picture goals, but need to get better about the daily goals! They usually turn into a long to-do list that I can never complete :-/
Carly @ Fitliving Eats recently posted…Creamy Mushroom & Rice Soup {Vegan}
I completely get the lengthly to-do list. All of a sudden it becomes a mile long and too overwhelming to do anything.
As you know, this year I had to step back and set priorities, rather than goals. I feel like I am finally at the point in the year, though, when I can start to set some goals. Now I just have to figure out what they are!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Returning to Running After Stress Fracture
I think have both priorities and goals is ideal. A balance of things to work toward in the long-term and things to focus on regularly.
YES! Great goals girl! Love the one about reading an actual book… I need to do that! Also, I’m glad you took a little break post graduation, to be productive, but not set as specific goals! That’s definitely necessary after a busy season. Love your goals and yay for writing them down! I’m all about that!
xoxo Cailee!
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Thanks for your support, Cailee! After setting the goal to read more this week I’m almost done with the book I had sitting on my counter. Turns out it’s actually good :)
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I don’t set goals strictly, but I have them – if that makes sense? I’m not one to write down a big list of goals or anything like that – but it doesn’t mean that I don’t have them, I’m just self motivated (I suppose?) and naturally set out to achieve them without it being forced.
That probably makes no sense at all – but my brain is a weird one ;)
I don’t set goals strictly, but I have them – if that makes sense? I’m not one to write down a big list of goals or anything like that – but it doesn’t mean that I don’t have them, I’m just self motivated (I suppose?) and naturally set out to achieve them without it being forced.
That probably makes no sense at all – but my brain is a weird one ;)
As for yoga… I really need to find a local class which doesn’t cost a FORTUNE to attend :P The ones I’ve found previously are $30-40 a class which is insane!
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That makes perfect sense! I’m naturally self-motivated (typically) but felt in a little rut lately. Oh gosh that is a pricey studio! The ones I go to end up being about $10/class with the packages I buy.
Emily recently posted…Allergies, Basketball and Spiralizing Everything (Thinking Out Loud)
I agree goal setting can generate some mixed emotions. I am still in a process of working some out, thinking it all through, balancing things, going hard vs going with the flow. Lately I’ve been looking at some of Chalene Johnson’s thoughts on goal setting which I’ve found pretty helpful. All the best with your goals!