How to Create Weekly Goals by Type

This is a super quick post to give you an overview of how I’ve been setting goals lately.

In December 2019, I joined a community of women entrepreneurs in Chicago called Manifest Her. Manifest is a community for ambitious women in Chicago. Any dream is welcome, having ambitious goals is the requirement.

The founder, Stef Caldwell, sends out a weekly message on Monday mornings asking everyone about their goals for the week.

She also shares her own goals with the group and organizes them by type.

This was a game changer for me. Not only were her goals related to work, they also encompassed her health, too.

We often have an idea of what we’d like to do for the coming week, but we hardly put it to paper. And when Friday at 3pm rolls around, how will we know if we’re done?

I use Trello to manage my job, writing, and personal work, but with new tasks constantly coming my way, I need a way to stay on track and say no to miscellaneous tasks.

These categories don’t encompass every area of my life (taking care of my dog, family, etc). But it keeps me on track when it comes to taking care of myself and my work.

Here’s a look at my goals this week:

• Whyte Gate: two social posts, one new blog post, two guest blog and PR pitches
• Writing: quick edits and first reread, send to my critique partner by Sunday
• Physical: high impact workouts Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Mental: nightly meditation, reading “The Third Door”
• Play: visit a speakeasy in my neighborhood Wednesday, out for dinner Friday night, and take several baths throughout the week

Once you’ve created your goals in this format, all you need to do is schedule it. Whip out your calendar and write down when each of these tasks will get done.

Everything is more manageable when it’s organized.

Then, check in with yourself often: what is your big picture goal? Do your daily tasks align with that vision?

If you can, write down your long-term vision in one sentence. Stay focused on that vision.

Subscribe here to receive the latest content in your inbox.

Originally published at www.kasiamanolas.com on March 9, 2020.