How I Learned to Set Better Goals
Setting goals has always been a struggle for me. I usually found myself abandoning the dreams I set for myself because it felt like they were impossible to achieve. Either I felt like the end goal was too lofty, or the methods I used weren't working. Or I simply lost my passion. I felt discouraged, but eventually, I stopped feeling discouraged and started feeling curious as to why I always felt defeated with my goals.
After analyzing my failures (I had plenty of statistical data for that), I began to troubleshoot my methods. If what I wanted was achievable, there had to be a path to get there. I started paying attention to my personal work style, how I liked to organize information, what kept me motivated when I was tired, and what made me feel the most successful every day. It took years of making adjustments and trying new things. I've done bullet journaling (which was very helpful for a couple of years), digital note-taking (which was less helpful), and all combinations in between.
I like the ease of keeping information organized on the computer, but I also like a physical element to feel like I can tangibly access and organize my thoughts. This helped me understand that in the brainstorming process, I need to work everything out on paper. Once my thoughts have been organized into a workable project, I then add the organized information into my Notion planner. Personalizing my process is an ongoing task; the important thing is that I am paying attention and making changes that keep me improving my ability to be successful in my efforts.
I've come to realize that setting goals is the same way. My goals didn't work in the past because I needed a more organized and structured plan to get me to the end result. Once I learned this, it took even more time to create something that actually worked for my unique style of working and learning. I purchased planners on Etsy, made hand-drawn bullet journal pages, and tried all of the dry erase board/post-it note options that the internet could offer me. It's really about choosing a method, sticking with it long enough to learn what works and what doesn't, and then evolving the process into something better.
With goal setting, I realized that I needed to create a system that kept me progressing with small, actionable tasks I could check off a daily or weekly to-do list. Then, every quarter, I could compare what I've done to what still needs to be completed for my goal to be accomplished. I find a lot of reward in checking off a to-do list, so this method keeps me feeling successful and motivated long before the goal is complete. I encourage you to audit your goal-setting style, try some new ideas, and don't get discouraged if it fails. Failure just helps you make the necessary adjustments to get better.
I also realized that my goals had to be something that could be broken down into a checklist format, which changed the type of goals I made. Now, instead of making a goal that was more of a "hope" or a "dream," I began making goals that were more of a project objective to complete. Instead of creating goals like "I want to make 100 sales," I now say, "I want to improve my email marketing strategy." By creating a better email marketing strategy, I am more likely to get more sales. I am not in control of how many people purchase from the boutique, but I am in total control of my email marketing.
It feels much more empowering to set goals like this because I don't have to rely on any uncertain factors, such as customers' purchasing choices. If the email marketing doesn't bring in more sales, then I have to take into account why that is, which will help me better identify what is and isn't working for my business. And not only that, but I have improved my email marketing for when I start getting more customers. Goals keep me focused and inspired. Before I made goals for myself, I felt bored and uncertain as to what I should be doing. My business didn't grow in the years I failed to set goals. I think I felt overwhelmed with running a business because I thought it had to be complicated and highly competitive. Now I see that it's actually so much easier once I learned to break things down into the smallest steps possible and to get over my fear of people seeing me fail.
If you're interested in more tips and insights on running a small business, check out my YouTube channel where I share my experiences and advice.
Also, follow Terra Cotta Plant Boutique on social media for daily inspiration and updates using the social media menu on the top of the website page.
Let's make goal-setting a rewarding and empowering part of our journey in 2025!
After analyzing my failures (I had plenty of statistical data for that), I began to troubleshoot my methods. If what I wanted was achievable, there had to be a path to get there. I started paying attention to my personal work style, how I liked to organize information, what kept me motivated when I was tired, and what made me feel the most successful every day. It took years of making adjustments and trying new things. I've done bullet journaling (which was very helpful for a couple of years), digital note-taking (which was less helpful), and all combinations in between.
I like the ease of keeping information organized on the computer, but I also like a physical element to feel like I can tangibly access and organize my thoughts. This helped me understand that in the brainstorming process, I need to work everything out on paper. Once my thoughts have been organized into a workable project, I then add the organized information into my Notion planner. Personalizing my process is an ongoing task; the important thing is that I am paying attention and making changes that keep me improving my ability to be successful in my efforts.
I've come to realize that setting goals is the same way. My goals didn't work in the past because I needed a more organized and structured plan to get me to the end result. Once I learned this, it took even more time to create something that actually worked for my unique style of working and learning. I purchased planners on Etsy, made hand-drawn bullet journal pages, and tried all of the dry erase board/post-it note options that the internet could offer me. It's really about choosing a method, sticking with it long enough to learn what works and what doesn't, and then evolving the process into something better.
With goal setting, I realized that I needed to create a system that kept me progressing with small, actionable tasks I could check off a daily or weekly to-do list. Then, every quarter, I could compare what I've done to what still needs to be completed for my goal to be accomplished. I find a lot of reward in checking off a to-do list, so this method keeps me feeling successful and motivated long before the goal is complete. I encourage you to audit your goal-setting style, try some new ideas, and don't get discouraged if it fails. Failure just helps you make the necessary adjustments to get better.
I also realized that my goals had to be something that could be broken down into a checklist format, which changed the type of goals I made. Now, instead of making a goal that was more of a "hope" or a "dream," I began making goals that were more of a project objective to complete. Instead of creating goals like "I want to make 100 sales," I now say, "I want to improve my email marketing strategy." By creating a better email marketing strategy, I am more likely to get more sales. I am not in control of how many people purchase from the boutique, but I am in total control of my email marketing.
It feels much more empowering to set goals like this because I don't have to rely on any uncertain factors, such as customers' purchasing choices. If the email marketing doesn't bring in more sales, then I have to take into account why that is, which will help me better identify what is and isn't working for my business. And not only that, but I have improved my email marketing for when I start getting more customers. Goals keep me focused and inspired. Before I made goals for myself, I felt bored and uncertain as to what I should be doing. My business didn't grow in the years I failed to set goals. I think I felt overwhelmed with running a business because I thought it had to be complicated and highly competitive. Now I see that it's actually so much easier once I learned to break things down into the smallest steps possible and to get over my fear of people seeing me fail.
If you're interested in more tips and insights on running a small business, check out my YouTube channel where I share my experiences and advice.
Also, follow Terra Cotta Plant Boutique on social media for daily inspiration and updates using the social media menu on the top of the website page.
Let's make goal-setting a rewarding and empowering part of our journey in 2025!
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