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How to Make a Bucket List? (FREE Ideas)

Jun 16, 2021 by Lynelle 3 Comments

How many times have you sat down to think about what you really want to do in life? We are so busy that we rarely take the time to think about it. That’s why making a bucket list gives you a good reason to do so.

Keep reading because this post:

  • tells you what a bucket list is for
  • helps you make a list
  • gives you ideas for your list
  • guides you on what to do after you are done making your list

But, if you are still not too sure if creating a bucket list is right for you, let me start with why you should.

making a bucket list with free printables
Contents
  1. Why should I make a bucket list?
  2. How to Make a Bucket List in 5 Steps
  3. What are good ideas for a bucket list?
  4. Additional Bucket Lists Ideas to Consider
  5. Reverse Bucket List
  6. Final Thoughts on How to Make A Bucket List

Why should I make a bucket list?

Before you start thinking about what you want to do, it’s important to know if there is even any benefit for creating a bucket list. Because, after all, why spend time making another list if it doesn’t help you.

The good news is that making a bucket list have several benefits and here some of them.

5 Benefits of creating a bucket list

Benefit #1 – Gives you hope

As I said at the beginning, a bucket list gives you a reason to sit down and think of what you have thought to do in life but haven’t done yet. It helps you evaluate your current life and make plans for the future.

Benefit #2 – Helps you prioritize things in your life

You may want many things in life but in the process of making your list, you are able to determine which items mean enough to you to be added to the list.

Benefit #3 – Keeps you motivated about your future

If you made a list based on what you really want to do, it should keep you motivated and excited throughout the process of achieving it.

Benefit #4 – Reminds you of what would make you happier

It’s always easier to plan something and then forget all about it after a few days. For that reason, having the list in writing and visible keeps you focused to move in the right direction of achieving your dreams.

Benefit #5 – Increases satisfaction

Every time you check off an item means that you completed something that you wanted in life. Therefore, your satisfaction and happiness should increase too.

Just imagine checking off every single item on your bucket list. You would be more satisfied with your life, and as a result, more positive and happier. 

How to Make a Bucket List in 5 Steps

The term “bucket list” was normally used to describe a list of things to do in your lifetime. Fortunately, it has evolved over time and now they are widely used for other purposes and even for shorter periods of time.

Step 1 – Write all that you want

Here is where the fun begins. Sit down and write down all the things that you want to achieve. Don’t forget those things that you once thought about doing but had to push back for one reason or another.

Don’t judge your items, just write down everything that comes to your mind. This is the time to let your imagination go.

Step 2 – Prioritize your bucket list items

Once you are done making your list, review it, and put your items in order of importance. In that way, you know exactly which ones are the most important to you when you work on your final list.

Step 3 – Make your final list

Now, it’s time to add those final items to your official bucket list. I suggest keeping your list short and simple. After all, the purpose of a bucket list is to motivate you, not overwhelm you with more things to do.

Adding too many items to your list will probably make you want to quit.

Once you are done adding the items to your list, determine if every single item listed is meaningful to you. Otherwise, you won’t put enough effort to complete it.

Also, make sure to keep your list in a visible place (such as your planner, refrigerator, or mirror) that would keep reminding you of what you decided to add to your life.

Step 4 – Check off the items once you are done

As soon as you complete an item, take the time to check it off on your list. The satisfaction of doing so will motivate you to keep working on the rest of the items.

I know that the goal of the bucket list is to complete what’s on there, but sometimes things happen, and you are not able to complete every single item included on your list. That’s okay.

Just stay positive and focus on all the things that you were able to achieve. Remember, you can always add those unfinished items to a new list!

Step 5 – Schedule some time to review your list

Scheduling some time in your planner or calendar increases the probability of completing the items on your list. Because of that, make sure to review your list on a regular basis and adjust it, if needed.

What are good ideas for a bucket list?

As mentioned before, a bucket list was usually just a long list of things to do throughout your life. Now, more people have been creating lists that are focused on topics such as summer, fall, birthday, adventurous, and more.

The type of bucket list that you choose can also determine the length of your list. For example, a summer bucket list would probably be shorter than a 5-year bucket list.

Therefore, when thinking of good ideas for a bucket list take into consideration the following:

  • the topic or purpose of the list – is it for the summer, trip, year? 
  • period of time to complete the bucket list – based on the topic, determine if it is for the season, month, next 2 years, or even lifetime.
  • people involved – is the list for you, your and your partner, your family, team?

Let’s go over some ideas…

35 Simple Bucket List Ideas To Get You Started

Individual or Personal level

As a mom, you probably have many ideas and suggestions for your kids, marriage, and even friends. But, more likely, you haven’t taken the time to think about yourself, your needs, and your wants.

What things can you do now to fulfill your purpose in life, be a better person, and increase happiness? Here are some ideas for you:

  • Volunteer at a charity
  • Ride a horse
  • Start painting
  • Join a yoga club
  • Swim with dolphins – Based on the site called Bucket list, swimming with dolphins is in the top 5 of the most popular bucket list If you haven’t tried it yet, add it to the list…my daughter loved it!

FREE CHALLENGE: Helps you identify and plan your goals

Career or Professional level

The Mental Health Association conducted a survey that included more than 17,000 employees across 19 industries in the United States. (source)

The study covered topics such as workplace stress, employee engagement, recognition, and more. One of the results showed that 71% of the survey respondents were thinking about, or actively looking for new job opportunities.

If you are part of those statistics, it’s time to work on it.

Evaluate what’s currently missing in your professional life. Think of new skills, certifications, or even new ventures that you may want to take such as starting an online business.

  • Start your own business
  • Start a YouTube channel
  • Participate in podcasts
  • Learn computer programs
  • Book public speaking gigs

RESOURCE: Start an online business with this FREE 14-day trial

Group of people

In this case, the purpose is to make a bucket list as a group. So, the focus is on you and those around you such as your family, friends, and employees.

Get together with those involved and brainstorm ideas that you all want to achieve as a group. Things like:

  • Enjoy a bowling night
  • Visit Disney World or Disneyland
  • Watch a movie in a drive-in theater
  • Plan a retreat
  • Have an employee appreciation event

Seasons and Holidays

I feel that I speak for anyone when I say that it’s easier to make plans during summer when the weather is beautiful and warmer.  But you can still create a good season or holidays bucket list so let me give you a few ideas:

  • Go to the beach
  • Visit an amusement park
  • Watch a Nutcracker show
  • Attend a Christmas parade
  • Visit a pumpkin patch

Travel

Traveling is one of the most popular topics among different generations. When you are ready to make your list, think of local, national, and international places that you would like to go. And, to get you started, here are some travel bucket list ideas:

  • Go on a cruise – I love Disney Cruises!
  • Travel to Paris
  • See the Grand Canyon
  • Visit Costa Rica – it’s beautiful and the volcano is amazing!
  • Spend time at a National Park

Favorite Interests or Hobbies

There are so many things out there to learn and explore that coming up with ideas should be pretty easy. Start with things that you have always wanted to learn. Even if you are scared to try, go for it and see how it goes. Some suggestions are:

  • Go skydiving
  • Register for cake decorating classes
  • Learn how to play the viola (the instrument that my oldest daughter plays 😊)
  • Go roller skating
  • Take photography lessons

Special Dates

As you have heard, it’s always important to create long-lasting memories. Think of activities that you can do during special dates or events such as your birthday, retirement, or anniversary. Here are a few ideas:

  • Attend your favorite singer’s concert
  • Go to Hawaii
  • Live by the lake
  • Eat at your favorite restaurant
  • Visit a safari

Ok, we went over seven types of bucket lists. You can focus on only one topic first or multiple ones especially if they are related to each other. In that case, you can make one list that combines several topics.

Use the examples mentioned above to help you get started but, just in case, below are a few more ideas.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A FREE BUCKET LIST + A LIST OF IDEAS

Additional Bucket Lists Ideas to Consider

  • Funny things to add to your life
  • Fitness activities to keep yourself active
  • Adventures that you want to experiment
  • Books that you want to read
  • Financial actions that can be improved
  • Places to visit in your city, state, or country
  • Food that you want to try at home or restaurants
  • A period of time such as a month, quarter, new year, or the next five years

As you can see, you can make a bucket list for anything and adjust it to your specific situation. Consider those lists while making yours.

By the way, you can also motivate your kids to start their own lists too!

Reverse Bucket List

Ok, now that you have a better idea of how to make a bucket list, it’s time to do everything in the opposite way.

But, let me explain it to you before I get you all confused…

Here, I am talking about making a reverse bucket list. As the name implies, it is pretty much the opposite of a regular bucket list.

As you just saw, a bucket list is based on things that you would like to do in your future while a reverse bucket list includes your accomplishments or things that already happened.

It’s an opportunity for you to say great things about yourself by listing your accomplishments. As with a regular bucket list, you do what works best for you.

For example, I have seen people creating massive lists of what they have achieved in their lives. You can do that if you want to. But I feel that creating a reverse bucket list often helps you stay connected with your achievements than occasionally adding a few items to an already long list.

That being said, you can create it as often as you want. You can have a short list at the end of each day or week. Or a longer list at the end of every month, quarter, or year.

Another idea is to make a monthly reverse bucket list. Then, you can combine your achievements on a “Year in Review” list where you can choose your top 10, 12, or even 25 achievements of the year.

That would give you the opportunity to go back and see all your accomplishments including some that you probably had forgotten. You could also add that list as part of your end-of-the-year or Christmas tradition.

Final Thoughts on How to Make A Bucket List

Ok, you got all the information you need to make a bucket list. Now it’s your turn to start writing and creating a happier life.

Don’t forget to download the free bucket list!

In the meantime, let me know in the comments section what’s the first thing that you want to add to or achieve from your bucket list?

bucket list

Filed Under: Blog, Parenting, Self Improvement

19 Best Self-improvement Books for a Better Year (2020)

Jan 14, 2019 by Lynelle 7 Comments

Despite the tremendous benefit that we get from reading self-improvement books, they are still not part of our top resolutions for the New Year.

At the beginning of each year, we have a big desire to improve our lives. That’s why the top resolutions are typically losing weight, exercising, saving money, and traveling more. It’s okay to plan for that. I even want to achieve them too, but let’s not forget to add a few books to our list too.

And, to make it easier for you, here is a list of great books to help you have a better year and life.

This is it! If you want to transform your life, you have to read these self-improvement books! #selfimprovement #habits #goalsetting #momsucceeds

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure for more info.

 

19 Self-improvement books to read this year

1. Girl, Wash Your Face

This book first caught my attention after seeing so many pictures of women reading this book. Now, I understand why. How many times do we believe things about ourselves and our lives that are simply not true? The problem is that we keep repeating those lies to ourselves for months or even years until those lies end up affecting our decisions and ways of life. This book focuses on lies that the author believed and the ways that she suggests you can use to overcome them.

 

2. Make Your Bed

This book is based on a very inspiring speech given to a graduating class at the University of Texas at Austin. In this case, the author shares ten important principles that he learned during the Navy Seal training. Now, the question is, do you make your bed in the mornings? I personally like to make my bed in the mornings because it already puts me in a positive mindset. I feel that it’s something simple but powerful. This book shows you how doing little things helps you change your life, or who knows, maybe the world too, as he said.

 

3. Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

How many projects do you still have pending? Completing tasks, projects, and goals is satisfying but we still fail to do so. Many times, we want to believe that certain people have special super powers allowing them to be successful. The truth is that if we truly want to change our lives for the better, we must take action. And the sooner, the better. Fortunately, this book has different strategies to help you get things done.

 

4. The Slight Edge 

This book shares simple practices that you can use to improve your way of thinking and eventually, your life too. And that’s the interesting part because many times, we skip those simple changes thinking that they are too simple to work. If you are ready to follow these steps, then this book can help you create the results that you want in life.

 

5. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Having things organized, definitely helps you have a better life. Because of that, here is another popular book that I discovered throughout other people’s feedback. The book is based on the KonMari Method which teaches you how to declutter and organize your home in a new and different way, using categories.

 

6. Atomic Habits

Because I am a firm believer of habits, I love creating, implementing, and tracking new habits that can help me achieve things in life. But, I also know how hard it is to break bad habits. In this book, the author goes over the strategies that you too can use to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

RELATED TOOL: A pretty way to track your habits 

7. The Happiness Advantage

Sometimes, we say, if I can buy that home or get that job, I would be happy. This book tells us that happiness doesn’t work like that. It’s actually the opposite way. You probably have noticed that when you are happy, everything else is better and easier. The book explains that it happens because happiness causes the rest of the positive things in your life including success. The author shows you how to retrain your brain to be more positive and how to work on small tasks to achieve your big goals. This book can be applied to your professional and personal life.

 

8. What to say when you talk to yourself 

We are constantly talking to ourselves consciously and unconsciously even if we don’t realize it. Unfortunately, those words that come from our mouth or mind are usually infected by negative thoughts. I feel that most of us would benefit from learning how to talk to ourselves the right way. This book helps you replace the negative self-talk with a better and positive one, so you can start transforming your life.

 

9. Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy

The author of this book is an Engineer and former Google executive who pretty much had what many people would wish for: high salary, great job, expensive cars, etc. Despite all that, he was still unhappy. That’s the reason why he was determined to fully understand the process of achieving happiness. After extensive research and many hours of work, he created what is known as the happiness equation something that he decided to share after the sudden passing of his son.

 

10. The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure

This is another book that can be applied to your business or personal life. I liked how the author was very direct explaining why we fail and how to get out of it. It’s like the tough love that we all need from time to time. The book motivates you to push yourself to get results and shows you how to apply the 10X Rule to achieve massive results.

 

11. Habit Stacking: 127 Small Changes to Improve Your Health, Wealth, and Happiness

As I said at the beginning, every year, we have a list of resolutions that we want to accomplish. Even though we have the best intentions in achieving those resolutions, by February, we have already dropped most of them. Many times, we don’t accomplish what we want just because we haven’t been consistent in the process. This book teaches you how to create one daily routine where you can manage multiple ones. And, the best part is that the routine would only take you about 15 to 30 minutes. It’s a very small amount of time to invest compared to the benefit of completing your goals and living a happier life.

 

12. The gifts of imperfection

As a mom of two girls, I feel that we need more of these types of books. I always like to remind my daughters the importance of loving themselves for who they are, and not based on TV stars, social media, or popular kids at their school. This book is here to motivate and inspire you. It’s time to love yourself, accept any imperfection, and be happy with who you are.

 

13. The success principles: How to get from where you are to where you want to be

It’s a book that helps you have more confidence in yourself, embrace any challenge, and follow your purpose. In this way, you can be prepared to go as far as you want to go. This book was first released years ago, and due to its success, the author has published a 10th-anniversary edition with updated information including a whole new section focused on the digital age.

 

14. The compound effect

This book shows you a plan of action based on six strategies that are explained step-by-step, so you can multiply your success. In order to improve your life, you need to learn, understand, and implement what the book teaches. Once you are done with that, you need to be consistent with your actions.

 

15. Grit: The power of passion and perseverance

The author of this book started a research project because she believed that success was based on a combination of passion and perseverance, rather than an IQ score. There are always things that we want to do in life but for some reason, we don’t feel that we have what it takes to accomplish them. This book shows you how long-term perseverance can take you a lot farther and how it can change your life for good.

 

16. 10% Happier: How I tamed the voice in my head 

An anchor from Nightline TV show kept having a voice in his head assuring him that he wasn’t good enough. After having a panic attack on national television, he realized that he needed to improve his self-talk. And, even though he was skeptical at first, he turned into meditation for help. In this book, he shares his story and journey to help you improve your life too.

 

17. Declutter your mind

We spend a great amount of time in our lives searching for the secret formula to success without realizing that our main problem may be ourselves. Often times, we are the ones getting in our way to reach that success because of negative thoughts, distractions, worries, etc. This book helps you understand and manage the internal and external factors that are causing the clutter in your mind.

 

18. The complete book of home organization

If you are more interested in how to improve your organization skills, this book can help. With more than 200 tips and projects, this book covers how to declutter, store, and organize every space in your house. And if you are like me, you will love to know that this book also includes checklists, step-by-step instructions, and even a 15-week home organization challenge.

 

19. Your money or your life

Since saving more money is a very common goal, I wanted to include this book to help you improve your financial skills. This book has been around for more than twenty years and due to its popularity, it has been fully revised and updated. Follow its nine-step program to improve and transform your relationship with money.

 

 

What should you do next?

Now, that you have the list of self-improvement books, it’s time to take action:

This is it! If you want to transform your life, you have to read these self-improvement books! #selfimprovement #habits #goalsetting #momsucceeds

Increase the chance of transforming your life by taking notes and following up.
 

√ Action Step #1 – Get the self-improvement books

Determine which self-improvement books from the above list you will be reading first. Then, get the books and be ready to improve your life. With this list, you can easily read one book per month and still have a few more available.

√ Action Step #2 – Schedule some reading time on your calendar

It may sound like a simple tip, but it will help you to stay consistent. If you don’t make time for it on your calendar now, eventually you will either forget to do it or use that time for something else.

√ Action Step #3 – Take notes and follow up

We usually ask ourselves, why our situation didn’t change after reading the books. And, sometimes, we even blame the book for it. The truth is that many times, we don’t follow the strategies that we learn. It’s easy to read the books and leave it aside “for later”. To improve that, take notes and keep using them as a reference until you master the new process.

Let’s do it better this time!

Take notes and implement any strategy, tip, or suggestion that can help you improve your life and achieve your goals. And, even if you are skeptical, give it a try. After all, the results may surprise you. It’s up to you when you implement the strategies. You can wait until the end of the book or you can do it right away. But either way, make sure to do it and follow up with it.

 

You can transform your life

Don’t forget to be patient. We normally want our problems to be solved immediately and when that doesn’t happen, we don’t hesitate to give up. Changes take time, so give it a chance.

Be patient, work on it consistently and wait a reasonable amount of time for it to work.

Ok, that’s it!

You got all you need to get started: a list of great self-improvement books with action steps. Get ready to read, take action, and be happier!

In the meantime, which book will you read first? Is there any other book that you would recommend that didn’t make the list? Let me know in the comments!

 

Additional resources for a successful year:

  • Set a short-term goal with success!
  • A simple tool to increase happiness
  • Are you ready for the challenge? Plan for what you really want in life
  • Why (and how) you should choose a guiding word for the year
  • 25 Ways to be happier in your life

pin it for later

This is it! If you want to transform your life, you have to read these self-improvement books! #selfimprovement #habits #goalsetting #momsucceeds

 

Self improvement books to transform your life! #momsucceeds #summerreading #bookstoread #personalgrowth

 

Want to improve your life? Here are the best self improvement books for you #momsucceeds #personalgrowth #betterlife

Filed Under: Blog, Self Improvement

How to Choose Happiness: 25 Solutions to a Happier life

Dec 10, 2018 by Lynelle 12 Comments

Finding happiness has been a very popular topic throughout the years since many people, including me, have been trying to find or increase happiness in their lives. It is such a popular topic that has been the focus of articles, books, TED Talks, and even Yale University offers a happiness class.

But besides all the discussion, there are still five common questions that come up over, and over again regarding happiness.

Because of that, it would be beneficial to go over those questions first.

Share it with friends and make them happy! 😀

What a great list of tips to find happiness! It has such a great variety of strategies that I can't pick a favorite. #pinterest #happiness #behappy #happier #momsucceeds

Quick note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure for more info.

 

What is happiness?

I feel that the easiest way to define happiness is to talk about what it is not:

 

Happiness is not a one-size-fits-all solution

There’s not a simple or single answer that fits everybody. Instead, it means something different for each person.

For example, in my case, part of happiness means working from home to spend more time with my kids. While for others, it may involve riding a horse, living in the Caribbean, or starting an online store.

 

Happiness doesn’t mean impressing others

Even though it is usually tied to big purchases like an expensive car or big events such as getting married, that’s usually where the confusion grows. There’s nothing wrong with buying an expensive car, but if you are only doing it to impress others then that expensive car will not be the solution to finding happiness.

 

Happiness is not a permanent location or destination

Sometimes, people believe that they will automatically be happy for the rest of their life if they could only achieve a magic thing that they have in mind. Unfortunately, focusing so much on that magic object or event can make you overlook the real happiness that is already happening around you. A simple rule to lead by is to do at least one thing every day that makes you happy.

 

Happiness doesn’t have a “go big or go home” mentality

That’s another myth. It’s not uncommon to think that happiness can only be achieved by doing something big. Of course, if that’s what you want in life, it will make you happier, too. But, you don’t have to wait until then to see happiness in your life. Look around you for the small things that make you happy, daily. It could be as simple as spending 30 minutes reading a book, watching Netflix, volunteering, working on a hobby, or hugging your kids 😊.

What a great list of tips to find happiness! It has such a great variety of strategies that I can't pick a favorite. #pinterest #happiness #behappy #happier #momsucceeds

Can happiness be achieved?

That’s an interesting question but the answer depends on how you perceive happiness and what the word “achieved” means to you.

As mentioned earlier, happiness is a continuous process. It’s not something that we can just achieve once and permanently. If you are only looking at it as reaching a milestone such as getting married or winning the lottery, then you will probably feel that it is something hard to achieve.

Something else to consider is what happens after you achieve what you want. For example, think about running a marathon. After completing a 5K, you may decide that running a 10K will actually make you happier. Or, that instead of running another marathon, now you prefer to enroll in a karate class.

It’s okay to keep setting new goals in your life, just don’t forget to be happy for what you have already achieved too.

In other words, no matter what the word happiness means to you, it’s something that you can start working on today. Right now. And, every single day.

 

What is the formula for happiness?

If you are trying to find a secret recipe, then the answer might be simple: the happiness formula.

As it’s understandable, many people are constantly looking for ways to become happier in life. Because of that, throughout the years, many people have been interested in understanding it more.

And even though there’s no magic solution to find happiness, some people like Mo Gawdat and Deepak Chopra have come up with formulas or equations to help us understand it better.

Of course, each formula is different. Some formulas may take into consideration your expectations, life events, mindset, temporary pleasures, living conditions, purpose in life, or even genetics.

But there are two aspects that these formulas have in common: the search for happiness and the importance given to the person’s actions or decisions. Which take us to the next section…

 

Is happiness a choice or an emotion?

There has been a continuous debate to determine whether happiness should be considered a choice or an emotion.

Let’s start with happiness as an emotion.

Some people consider that it’s unfair and unrealistic to even think that happiness is a choice. Some of the reasons are that it:

  • is based on your state of mind
  • doesn’t take into consideration external circumstances which can be too strong and uncontrollable
  • is difficult to achieve, people should focus on being positive rather than happy

On the other side are people who support that happiness is a choice. In this case, some of their reasons are that you:

  • can control your actions
  • make the choice of focusing on the negative or positive things of your life
  • choose how to react to your problems

I remember studying Maslow’s theory in most of the human resources trainings and college classes that I attended. Many years ago, Abraham Maslow created a theory called the Hierarchy of Needs which consists of a pyramid with five levels of needs. He explained that once a need is met, the person moves on to the next level.

But, look at the top three levels of Maslow’s hierarchy…

Is happiness a choice or an emotion?

Those top three levels are:

  • love (social, sense of belonging)
  • self-esteem (achievement)
  • self-actualization (reaching full potential)

If you notice, each of those three levels involves an emotion.

 

So, what do you think, is happiness a choice or an emotion?

Well, I see a combination of both because you need to take action (make choices) in order to achieve what makes you happy (emotion).

I am not saying that it is easy to do. But like Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”.

In this case, if we want to see changes (be happier), we need to change how we have been doing things until now, including our habits. And the process of changing habits alone takes time and effort.

Plus, you need to take into consideration the complexity of what you want to achieve.

For example, if you want to achieve financial freedom, depending on your current situation, it may take years to be where you want to be. Even opening a home daycare may take you months since you need to prepare the area in your house, submit all the paperwork, get the permits, take the required training, pass the inspections, etc.

In summary, make the point to take baby steps every day towards your happiness. No matter what you want, there are always small steps where you can start.

 

How to find happiness within yourself?

After talking about choices and emotions, it is time to talk about how you can find happiness, within yourself.

No matter what you do, you always have to start somewhere. The same applies here. In this case, the best place to start is by searching for that happiness within yourself. Even though, several of the 25 strategies discussed in this article help you with it, here a few suggestions.

 

5 Quick tips to find happiness within yourself

  • Be happy with who you are

I know, we are not perfect, but you have many great and unique qualities. If you are having a hard time identifying them, think of what others like about you. Consider what your family members, friends, co-workers, supervisors, etc. have said. If you can’t think of anything, ask them for some feedback. I am sure that they won’t mind helping you out.

  • Always keep in mind that you are the best version of yourself

This is something that I tell my daughters to remember. There’s no one single person in this world that can be YOU better than yourself.

  • Take time to focus on those small things that make you smile

Schedule some time every day to do something that you enjoy. You can play with your kids, watch funny videos, do some stress relieving adult coloring books, watch a TV show, do photography, walk in the neighborhood, contact a friend, and so on.

  • Work on those things that you would like to improve about yourself

There’s always something about ourselves that we would like to change or improve. Identify the steps needed to make it happen and take action. This will help you be the best version of yourself. Some action steps may be reading books within that niche, taking a class, conducting research, or finding a mentor (we will talk about this shortly).

  • Believe in yourself and how you can change your life for the better

Sometimes, we are the toughest critics of ourselves, our lives, and our situations. Here, is when you go back and focus on the previous tips.

 

When finding happiness within yourself doesn’t work

Sometimes, you feel that you just can’t reach the point where you want to be even after trying hard. In that case, don’t be afraid to seek help from the outside.

First, understand that you are not the only one. Many successful people have sought help too. Just give yourself another chance, and evaluate your options:

  • Talk to a good friend or family member

Make sure that it’s not only a friend or family member, but someone who knows you well, that can be honest with you and wants the best for you.

  • Coach

You can look for an experienced coach, trainer, or mentor who can point you in the right direction. That would not only save you headaches but can take you where you want to go faster.

  • Counselor

Talking to a professional can help you evaluate your past, understand your current situation, and help you improve your future.

  • Doctor

Even though we normally try to avoid going to the doctor or leave it as the last resource, the truth is that a doctor may see something else that you are missing.

In summary, keep an open mind during the process no matter if you are finding happiness within yourself or with the help of others.

 

The best ways to increase happiness

After having a better understanding of happiness and how to find it, it’s time to share what I consider the 25 best ways to increase happiness in your life.

What a great list of tips to find happiness! It has such a great variety of strategies that I can't pick a favorite. #pinterest #happiness #behappy #happier #momsucceeds

Happiness: 25 Ways to Be Happier with Your Life

1- Know yourself better

2- Find the right balance in your life

3- Practice self-care

4- Develop a positive mindset

5- Create a bucket list

6- Let go of the past

7- Choose the right people in your life

8- Organize your life

9- Feel like a kid again

10- Create a reading list that helps you grow

11- Plan something different

12- Create a bullet journal

13- Get out of your comfort zone

14- Spend quality time with your family and friends

15- Create happy memories

16- Complete a gratitude challenge

17- Get rid of your limiting beliefs

18- Simplify your life

19- Keep track of your money

20- Manage your time regularly

21- Make every day count

22- Be aware of your thoughts and actions

23- Make a daily routine

24- Create a full year of happiness

25- Visualize your future

 

In Conclusion

Ok, let’s wrap up. Happiness is a combination of things including your well-being and doing what you really want in life.

As I said before, happiness is an ongoing process and it is not a destination or finish line. And, of course, being happy doesn’t mean being immune to illnesses, problems, frustrations, or even failures. It is just facing life with a positive mindset.

There will always be ups and downs in our lives. But, during the not-so-happy-moments:

  • focus on the things what you want in life
  • evaluate your situation objectively
  • adjust your action steps, process, or approach and
  • keep moving forward!

 

It’s your turn to be happier

Here, you learned 25 ways that help increase happiness. Even if you don’t like or agree with every single strategy, you still have plenty of them to choose from.

One more tip: Don’t forget to track your progress every time you try a new strategy. That’s the only way to see the real results at the end of the implementation or trial period. Here is one of my favorite trackers that you can use.

Now, I would like to know which ones were your top three strategies? And, which one will you implement first?

pin it for later

What a great list of tips to find happiness! It has such a great variety of strategies that I can't pick a favorite. #pinterest #happiness #behappy #happier #momsucceeds

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Self Improvement

Best 30-Day Challenge Ideas to Improve Your Mom Life

Aug 13, 2018 by Lynelle 10 Comments

If you are here, you probably like challenges as much as most people do. And I am not surprised because challenges have become more popular during the last years. That’s why I have put together a list of the best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life.

Here, I am giving you twelve monthly challenges to keep you covered for an entire year!

But first, let’s learn more about challenges…

Here you have free self-improvement challenges for an entire year! Plus, they help you take care of your home, money, and health! #challenges #lifegoals #momlife #stress

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure for information.

 

What’s a challenge?

For the purpose of this blog post, a challenge is something that you need or want to do that may be somewhat difficult to achieve.

The difficulty of the challenge depends on the:

  • Nature of the challenge: this is what the challenge wants you to do or what the challenge is about.
  • Length of the challenge: in this case, each challenge should last for a month but in general, challenges can take minutes, days, weeks, or even a year.
  • Skills you have: depending on your skills, background, and personality some challenges may be easier for you than others.
  • Expected outcome: this is what you should achieve once a challenge is completed (the results or transformation).
  • Requirements: some challenges require more time, effort, and involvement than others.

 

Types of challenges

Challenges have become so popular that you can pretty much find a challenge for everything.

As with anything else, there are negative challenges (and even dangerous ones) such as the Tide Pod challenge, the Snorting challenge, or exiting a moving car to do the In My Feelings (Kiki) Challenge.

Fortunately, there are positive challenges that you can follow. These challenges include funny ones, such as the lip sync challenge…and the ones that help you improve something in your life.

And that’s exactly what this post is all about.

 

Why challenges may be good for you

The increase in popularity of the challenges is in part because of the benefits that people find behind those challenges.

Let’s talk about different reasons as to why challenges may be good for you:

  • Being part of a group

We all like the feeling of being part of something which can be a team, group, or community. Challenges give people just that. The sense of being part of a group with like-minded people.

  • Feeling of excitement

Trying a new challenge produces the same feelings as trying things that you like for the first time. You are excited about the challenge itself and the expected results.

  • Keeps you motivated

When you like the challenge, it keeps motivating you to achieve the expected results.

  • Produces satisfaction

No matter how big or small the challenge is, completing challenges usually gives people a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

  • Helps you build confidence

Completing challenges usually gives people a sense of strength, confidence, and motivation to achieve even more things. If that’s your case, take advantage of these feelings and go for it!

 

Helpful Tips to Keep in Mind Before Starting These 30-Day Challenge Ideas

Focus on the challenges, not in the order – These challenges are scheduled based on what made sense to me, the seasons, and the nature of the challenge. However, feel free to complete them in a way that works best for you.

Keep doing the challenge longer if needed – Even though I am providing you a list of 30-day challenge ideas, the challenge doesn’t have to end once the month is over. For example, you may want to continue the Savings Challenge to start an emergency account, save for the holidays, or birthday gifts.

Any improvement counts – I am a firm believer that there’s always room for improvement and a small improvement is still an improvement. Just don’t feel the pressure to complete all the challenges. You may not be interested in all the challenges or you may not need to improve that particular area in your life. Either way, skip that challenge and move onto the next one or continue working on a challenge that you already completed.

Focus on the results – As you know, the purpose of these challenges is to improve your life. Because of that, I don’t want you to be frustrated. Instead, do the best you can and focus on your progress.

A preview of printables included in the home management binder.

12 Best 30-Day Challenge Ideas to Improve Your Life

This list of 30-day challenge ideas gives you a challenge for every single month. I organized it by month just to make it easier for you, but you don’t have to do it in that specific order.

Are you ready?

Let the challenge begin!

 

1. Goal Setting Challenge in January

This is a free 7-day email challenge that I have created. It’s listed as the first challenge because January is normally when people think about setting goals (or New Year’s resolutions).

But, you don’t have to wait until the New Year to start. It’s actually better, and recommended, to start now. Plus, in this challenge, I’ll help you identify, plan, and set your short-term goals. Join the free goal setting challenge.

 

2. Savings Challenge in February

It’s time to save money! For the purpose of this savings challenge, set $5 aside every single day so at the end of the month you can have a total of $150. In twelve months, you can have a total of $1,800 saved.

You can save more with this challenge if you want to. One option is to increase the daily contribution. Instead of saving $5 per day, what about saving $10 or maybe $20?

Another option is to gradually increase your daily contribution. For example, during the first week of the month, you may save $5 per day. Then, in the second week, increase your contribution to $7.

The key for this savings challenge is to first, determine the purpose of the money saved and then, establish the amount of money needed to achieve that goal.

As I mentioned before, you may want to save that money to start an emergency account, get birthday gifts, or to cover for your kids’ school-related activities.

 

3. Declutter Challenge in March

March is immediately associated with nice weather, spring cleaning, and school’s spring break. Therefore, this is the perfect time for a declutter challenge.

Since clutter can cause allergies, stress, and even put you in a bad mood, this challenge is perfect for this series of 30-day challenges to improve your life.

Commit to decluttering one area for a month. The closets and drawers are two popular areas to declutter but don’t forget to include other areas too such as bookshelves, car, and garage. Plus, don’t forget that toy box which magically grows over time!

Once you are done with this 30-day challenge, you may want to re-schedule it every quarter or at least twice a year to avoid accumulating too much clutter.

 

4. 10,000 Steps Challenge in April

It’s time to be more active with a fitness challenge! In this case, you need to reach 10,000 steps every day.

Why 10,000 steps?

Because that’s the recommended number of steps to keep you active and healthy. But, of course, there are additional actions that you should also take to stay healthy.

If this is your first time doing this 30-day challenge, don’t let the number of steps stop you! It may sound impossible but it’s absolutely doable. Plus, it gets easier over time.

Just keep in mind that for this challenge you will need to track your daily steps. Another option is to download an app but that will only work if you carry your phone at all times.

Either way, it’s time to move and track your steps!

 

5. Water Drinking Challenge in May

Drinking enough water is always difficult for many people including me. That’s the reason why I included this water drinking challenge. However, before starting this challenge, you need to calculate the amount of water that you need to drink every day.

It’s okay if you don’t like math because it’s a very easy and simple calculation.  Just get your weight and divide it by two. That total is the number of ounces that you need to drink daily.

After calculating how much water you need, make sure to work on this habit daily!

This busy mom is reading a book for the reading challenge while relaxing in the beach.

6. Reading Challenge in June

Summertime is the perfect time for a reading challenge. Even though, sometimes it’s hard to find time aside from the responsibilities, let’s make the point to read this month.

The goal of this 30-day challenge is to read two books this month. Make sure to schedule a minimum of 30 minutes every day to avoid falling behind. By the way, check out this list of books to get you started.

Want to read more? Instead of reading every day for 30 minutes, schedule an hour and finish one book per week!

Related: Encourage your kids to read too with these reading logs

 

7. Fun Activities Challenge in July

Take advantage that your kids are out of school and enjoy this Fun Activities Challenge. After all, I am pretty sure that your kids will like it too!

During the entire month, have indoor and outdoor family activities. Choose a different activity every day such as crafts, sports, board games, etc. Make sure to choose a variety of activities to keep all family members happy.

 

8. Journal Challenge in August

Journaling has become pretty popular. You can find many videos on YouTube that teach you how to journal. You can start a journal on anything that you want: frequent ideas, a summary of your day, or anything else that you prefer.

As UJ Ramdas said in an interview, journaling is like a toothbrush for your brain. You are pretty much dumping the information from your brain to your journal. It may sound basic or even silly, but journaling helps you in different areas including your mindset and well-being.

The best part is that you don’t have to spend too much time doing it. Ten or fifteen minutes is more than enough.

For this 30-day challenge, get ready to write!

 

9. Zero-Spending Challenge in September

September is the perfect month for a zero-spending challenge.

That will give your pocket a relief after back to school shopping done last month. Plus, it gives you a break before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The purpose of a zero-spending challenge is, well… that. Not to spend any money this month which should help you save money too.

It’s normally used to reduce your spending on groceries but, for this 30-day challenge, pick an expense category where you are currently overspending or one that you would like to reduce or improve. For example, you may be spending too much on groceries, cosmetics, eating out, or buying clothes.

Pick a category and apply this zero-spending month to that category. Just keep in mind that after choosing a category, you may need to adjust other areas. If we use the example of not eating out for a month, you may have to cook more and plan your meals better.

But, here is something that I want you to keep in mind: Even if you can’t go the whole month without spending on that category you chose, cutting the spending amount in half is already an improvement!

A mom is finally relaxing in the spa.

10. Self-care Challenge in October

As a mom, you are probably taking care of everything and everyone, except for yourself. Therefore, this month is dedicated to you!

Many of us take our health for granted and don’t realize the importance of taking care of ourselves. But self-care has several benefits including reducing stress. That alone is a huge benefit!

This time you have 30 days to focus on yourself with this self-care challenge. No excuses allowed! 😊

In this case, think of indoor and outdoor activities that you like, make you relax, or entertain you. Don’t forget to add things that you have never done but have always wanted to do.

This would be a perfect challenge to continue even after the month is over.

 

11. Gratitude Challenge in November

With the month of November comes Thanksgiving and the gratitude challenge.

Even though many stores are fully decorated for Christmas right after back to school, it’s still important to stop for a moment and be grateful for what we have. Especially because gratitude helps us in different ways including an increase in happiness and better health.

To complete this 30-day challenge, spend a few minutes every day to write down a list of things that you are grateful for and positive things that happened that day. Write a minimum of five things (even though ten would be better) and avoid repeating the same reasons.

The best part is that at the end of the month, you should have at least 150 positive reasons to be grateful for.

 

12. Say Something Nice Challenge in December

There’s something about the holidays that make most people happy. That’s why this is the perfect time to add the Say Something Nice Challenge to the holiday festivities.

It shouldn’t be that hard, right?

Well, there’s a twist. Go the entire month without repeating a person AND stay outside of your comfort zone.

In other words, even though you may feel more comfortable saying something nice to your friends and family members, make sure that you also include strangers and those with who the relationships are not at its best.

Now, get ready to make this December extra special.

The Complete Home Management Binder for busy moms is finally here!

Bonus: Minimalism Challenge

If you skipped one of the challenges mentioned above, here is a minimalism challenge to complete in its place.

Some people take the word minimalism as a synonym for sacrifice, while others focus on the state of mind. And, that’s the direction that I prefer to take.

One of the reasons is because I am pretty sure that you already have a lot on your plate. Plus, as I said before, my goal is for you to improve your life and not to get frustrated.

Use this minimalism challenge to help you simplify different areas of your life throughout the month. There are different activities that help improve the state of mind. Some of these activities include meditation, yoga, and even reducing the use of technology.

Choose a combination of your favorite minimalism activities and enjoy your month!

 

Get ready to complete your first 30-day challenge

Now, you have a list of the best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life for an entire year!

Keep in mind that to achieve better and long-lasting results, you need to keep working on the challenges longer than 30 days. But, these challenges should get you started in the right direction.

Now, it’s your turn. Which one of the challenges will you work on first? Let us know in the comments below…

Take care!

MomSucceeds.com helps busy moms achieve their personal and professional goals through better productivity, money management, and self-improvement.

 

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A mom is happy playing with her baby after completing the challenges.

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Organization, Self Improvement

Is the guiding word of the year a waste of time?

Jan 1, 2018 by Lynelle 2 Comments

If you haven’t chosen your guiding word of the year, you are missing out. A guiding word gives you an extra boost to achieve your short-term goals.

This post includes the following:

– the benefits of choosing a guiding word

– five easy steps to follow to help you choose the right word

– ten examples of words that you can start using today

So, let’s get started!

I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.

 

Why should you bother to choose a guiding word of the year?

Several years ago, I heard about choosing a guiding word. I was kind of skeptical at first, but I still went ahead and did it. And, let me tell you that I haven’t stopped choosing a word since!

 

Here are three reasons (or benefits) to why you should do it:

  1. Provides guidance

The word guides you to what you want to accomplish. That special word immediately makes you think of what you are planning to achieve.

It also makes your decision-making process easier. For example, let’s say that my word for this year is “simplify”, then it guides me to make decisions that are aligned with the word.

  1. Keeps you focused on your goals

Every time you see the word, it acts as a quick reminder to keep moving forward. But it also helps you to get back on track if needed.

  1. Ensures consistency

The frequent reminders ensure you keep your actions and decisions consistent with your plans for the year. The more consistent you stay with your actions, the closer you get to achieve your goals. As a result, you will be more motivated and happier in life.

As you can see, these three benefits alone are enough for you to start thinking of potential words. But, before you do that, let’s go over the quick steps to ensure you choose the right word for you.

 

5 Easy steps to choose a guiding word of the year

STEP # 1 – SET YOUR GOALS FOR THE YEAR

You need to decide what you want to achieve during the year. In order to do that, think about your short-term goals. Your guiding word won’t be meaningful to you unless it’s related to your plans or goals.

Another way to choose your word is by thinking of a problem you want to fix. For example, a few years ago, I chose the word “simple” because after reflecting about the previous year, I felt that I was complicating my life too much by adding things to my plate that were not necessary.

Keeping the word “simple” in mind helped me to improve different areas of my life. That in addition to feeling less overwhelmed, saving time, and being more productive.

If you are still not sure of what word to use, go over your goals for the year and try to identify something in common between all your goals. Do you see any patterns?

 

STEP # 2 – FOCUS ON THE WORD YOU CHOOSE

Some people suggest that your guiding word of the year should be a verb. I understand why they say it because using an action word motivates you to take action.

But, I also look at it in a different way.

It’s better to choose a word that is meaningful and aligned with your goals for the year, rather than focusing on which type of word to use.

In other words, don’t limit yourself.

Choose whichever works for you: a verb, an adjective, a noun, or even a phrase. Choosing a phrase might sound weird but if a phrase such as “Make it happen” or “Less is more” matches better with your plans and intentions, then go for it!

In summary, be intentional when choosing your word. Don’t overthink it by trying to choose the perfect word. Just pick a word that can guide you, motivate you, and help you keep your goals in mind.

I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

STEP # 3 – CHOOSE A WORD THAT’S MEANINGFUL TO YOU

The word you choose needs to, in a certain way, describe what you want to achieve. And most importantly, what you want to feel when you read, write, or hear that word.

For example, this year, I was trying to decide between the words “achieve” and “accomplish”. In the end, I chose “achieve” because it sounded stronger, to me.

You can also add the “ing” if needed. In my case, choosing the word “achieving” was perfect to describe the continuous achievement that I am looking for throughout the entire year.

If you have an idea of what you want to use but can’t find the right word, try using websites like Thesaurus or Merriam-Webster. There, you can get a list of similar words to help you decide.

However, if you need some ideas or inspiration, then check this great list of 50 Empowering Words for Women.

At this point, you probably have your guiding word. But, if you are still unsure of what word to choose, I still have one more suggestion for you.

Try the happier in life which randomly chooses a word for you. I tried it and got the word “start” which is great for perfectionists like me, who normally wait too long to start some things such as starting a blog.

For example, I wanted to start a blog seven years ago but kept waiting to have the perfect blog name, themes, ideas, etc. Back then, having “start” as my guiding word would probably have pushed me to get out of my comfort zone to work on that blog and to finally hit publish!

 

STEP # 4 – WRITE THE WORD IN VISIBLE PLACES

One of the most common reasons for people not to reach their goals is the lack of follow-ups. To reduce that, have your word everywhere to see it often.

Keeping it in visible places helps you remember what you want to do, achieve, or improve. But, don’t just put a note on the refrigerator. Put it in various places to ensure you “bump” into it regularly.

I always have my word in at least these three key places:

– A sign in my bathroom where I can see it several times a day since I am working from home.

– Write it on my productivity planner which I use every day.

– Use it as part of my password. It could be a password for the computer, cell phone, or an account that I use frequently.

The main purpose is to keep the word in your mind as much as you can.

 

STEP # 5 – APPLY YOUR WORD TO YOUR LIFE

This step should be easy if you followed all the previous steps. Because the more in contact you are with your chosen word, the more in contact you will be with your goals and intentions. You start applying it more consistently through all the areas in your life.

It’s like putting your guiding word on autopilot!

By the way, this post, mentions the different areas that you need to keep in mind when setting your goals. Those same areas are also important when choosing your guiding word.

That’s it! 

Those were the steps to choose a guiding word.

As you could see, those steps are not difficult to follow and doing them will put your mindset to achieve the results you are looking for.

Have you made your bucket list yet? Start today with these FREE printables! #momsucceeds #printables #bucketlist #newyear

10 Great words that you can choose

Here are ten quick examples of words that you can choose. This list includes a mix of different types of words that I would consider for my myself:

  1. Success (having a blog named Mom Succeeds, this word was a must 😊)
  2. Committed
  3. Intentional
  4. Influence
  5. Happiness
  6. Grateful
  7. Complete
  8. Valiant
  9. Simplify
  10. Balance

 

Bonus: Examples of phrases to use

  • I can and I will
  • It’s never too late
  • Take action
  • I believe in myself
  • Living life to the fullest

As I said before, focus on a word that works for you. A word that would inspire and motivate you to make the changes you want throughout the year.

Can I reuse a previous word?

Once the year is over, follow the same five steps mentioned above to find the right word for your new goals. Don’t be afraid to reuse words from previous years. Remember that there’s always room for improvement.

For example, this year, I could easily reuse the word “simple”. As a busy mom, I can quickly identify different ways to simplify my life: groceries, meal planning, and batch cooking.

 

You’re ready to make this year the best yet!

Ok, in summary, you:

  • learned the benefits of choosing a guiding word of the year
  • went over the steps to choose the right word for you
  • got examples of great words, and phrases, that you can use

Now it’s time for you to put everything into practice.

Just one more thing…

I have noticed that some people get so motivated that they replace their goal setting process with their guiding word. I personally don’t recommend that and suggest using both, choosing a word and setting your goals.

Your word works as a daily reminder of what you want to achieve (goals). However, setting your goals is the detailed plan explaining what, how, and when to achieve what you want.

So, make sure to use both for greater benefits!

Now, tell me…what’s your word for this year? Do you prefer a word or a phrase? I would love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments section below.

 

Additional resources for a successful year:

  • 19 Self-improvement books for a better year
  • A simple tool to increase happiness
  • Best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life
  • 6-Simple steps to set up your goals once and for all
  • Choose happiness: 25 ways to be happier in life

pin it for later

I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

 

Filed Under: Blog, Productivity, Self Improvement

How To Set Short-Term Goals (6 Simple Steps)

Aug 28, 2017 by Lynelle 2 Comments

Set short-term goals to change your life. They help you stay focused on what is important, keep you on track towards your bigger goals, and moves you closer to achieve your long-term goals. If you don’t know where to start setting your short-term goals, you are not alone.

The process of setting short-term goals is important but it can be complicated too. The good news is that if you are ready to set your goals, I’m ready to help you!

In this post, I’m sharing with you six simple steps to help you identify, plan, and set your short-term goals. If you don’t have time right now, pin this post for later and join the Free Goal Setting Challenge.

This post contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure for more info.

 

More than 40% of new year’s resolutions fail by the end of January. It’s a high percentage of failed resolutions in a short period of time.

But, why most resolutions fail?

Resolutions fail for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are because those resolutions are too complicated, don’t have a focus or purpose, doesn’t provide enough motivation, or doesn’t include a clear plan to follow.

When I used to make resolutions, I would create a pretty but long list of things that I wanted to achieve during that year. Print it. Tape it to my bedroom’s door. And review it again at the end of the year. 

Now, when I look back, I can easily see some of the mistakes I made during the process:

  • Trying to accomplish too much within a year
  • Not setting time aside to work on my list
  • Had no focus at all
  • Didn’t create an action plan
  • Wasn’t tracking my progress

 

There are differences between resolutions and short-term goals

In order to better understand the process of setting your short-term goals, let’s talk about the similarities as well as the three main differences between resolutions and goals. 

But first, let me go quickly over their definition. The word resolution refers to solid, firm plans that are hard to adjust or change, while a goal focuses on desired results that are more flexible, personal and positive.

There’s one thing that resolutions and short-term goals have in common. When you make resolutions or set goals, you are actually trying to change and improve something that is currently making you unhappy or not fully satisfied.

 

Three main differences between resolutions and goals:

  • Timing
  • Details
  • Planning 

Let’s start with timing. As you know, resolutions are associated with the New Year. For that reason, your motivation often lasts until the season is over. That’s why, by the end of January, more than 40% of the resolutions have already been forgotten.

Short term goals are different. They are not associated with any season or special holiday. Because of that, your desire to change motivates you to set a short-term goal at any time of the year.

The second major difference is details (or lack of them). Resolutions are vague in nature which creates confusion and difficulty to understand what direction to take. However, short-term goals are specific and provide detailed information on what needs to happen next. It eliminates the guessing part by providing clarity and guidance to the process. Instead of saying “Losing weight”, say something more specific such as “Lose 12 pounds within the next three months”.

Planning is the third major difference. Since resolutions lack details, there’s not much information available to plan. Going back to our previous example of “Losing weight”, it doesn’t specify the number of pounds to lose and doesn’t have a deadline. That makes it difficult to track your progress and you won’t know how close (or far) you really are from your desired result.

As you can see, setting short-term goals have far more benefits to your life than making resolutions. A goal gives you purpose, clarity, and reminds you what you want to achieve. Then, you just need to specify the actions to take.

 

Six Simple steps to set short-term goals

One important factor when setting short-term goals is to keep the process simple. That will help you stay focused, energized, and motivated.

Let’s discuss the simple steps to set short-term goals. In order to make the process easy to remember, I’m going to use the acronym simple:

short-term goals

 

Now, let’s go over each step…

Step 1:  Set the right mindset

You definitely need to set the right mindset to achieve your short-term goals. Keep in mind that there are two types of mindsets: fixed mindset and growth mindset.  

People with a growth mindset believe that any person has the opportunity to do anything because the abilities can be developed. They are always looking for something to learn and most importantly, they don’t let failures stop them. Instead, they learn from those mistakes and keep moving forward.

On the other side, those with a fixed mindset believe that they don’t have control of their future. Pretty much, they are who they are and there’s nothing they can do to change it. They even believe that failure defines them.

The good news is that there are ways to develop a growth mindset. To get you started, after step 3, I’ll tell you how you can get a list of 10 Tips to Develop a Growth Mindset.

So, let’s move on…

Before moving to the next step, check out this fixed and growth mindset video about the power of yet from the researcher Dr. Carol Dweck’s.

 

Step 2: Identify your short-term goals and personal development needs

This second step is pretty much the cornerstone of setting short-term goals.

In order to identify your development needs, you first need to picture your desired life. Notice that I said *your* desired life. Because after all, for this process to be successful, you need to focus on yourself and on the changes that you want to achieve. 

A quick way to identify your short-term goals is to ask yourself the following question:

What changes do I need to make in my life to be happy, or happier?

You can answer that question through a brainstorming session. Don’t worry. It actually sounds more serious than what it takes.

Set aside 15 to 30 minutes to think of all those possible short-term goals you would like to achieve. Since this is just a session and not your final plan, write every single idea that comes to your mind.

While trying to come up with ideas for development, think of all the areas in your life. A great way to start is by focusing on the seven areas of life identified by Zig Ziglar’s Wheel of Life. Those areas of life are family, spiritual, financial, career, social, physical, and intellectual.

With that in mind, start thinking about your desired changes or needs and make a list. Warning: Don’t skip a change just because it seems too big. Challenge yourself! (Come on, I know you can do it 🙂 )

 

Step 3: Make it a priority by prioritizing your short-term goals

Now, evaluate your list of short-term goals because it’s time to prioritize them.

Which changes would you like to work on first? The answer to that question will give you a better idea of what you should be working on first. But, keep your list short even if you are an overachiever.

Choose your top 5 goals. More than that will probably be too overwhelming and difficult to manage. Assign a number to each of your top goals based on its importance, urgency, and estimated impact in your life. Put them in order from 1 to 5.

Your top three goals are your final short-term goals. The goals that you will work on. Refer to them for the rest of these goal setting process.

Having only three final goals lets you direct all your energy, time, and attention to your most desired changes. Just by doing that, you are increasing the probability of achieving your goals. Don’t forget to keep those goals clear and specific. 

 

set short-term goals

Step 4: Prepare an action plan based on your short-term goals

The fourth step is all about commitment. It sounds pretty easy but it has a domino effect. If you don’t commit to your short-term goals, you start missing deadlines, getting off track, and not achieving your goals. After failing several times, I can assure you that just taping the list of goals to the door is not a commitment.

Set a deadline to complete each of your top three short-term goals. Make sure your deadline is realistic, achievable, and challenging at the same time. Keep in mind that not all changes or needs are the same.

Some changes may need simple steps while others may require more time and dedication. For example, a goal related to “quit smoking”, may require extra time, effort, and involvement from a doctor, or even joining a specialized program.

To avoid future frustrations, take all those aspects into consideration while setting a deadline. When you look at your short-term goals from different angles, you are able to make a detailed list of action steps required to achieve those goals.

Going over the action steps for your top three goals will help you visualize the whole picture, plan better by not overlooking important steps, establish a time frame for each action step, and set a more realistic deadline to commit to.

Focus on one main goal at a time

When you start working on setting deadlines, make sure to set aside enough time to focus on one goal. For example, work on your:

  • goal #1 during the 1st quarter
  • then, goal #2 during the 2nd quarter
  • and last, goal #3 during the 3rd quarter

Another scenario may be to work on:

  • the first goal during the 1st quarter
  • your second goal during the 2nd and 3rd quarter {a complex goal that requires more time}
  • the third goal during the 4th quarter

Work on one short-term goal at a time so you can give it your full attention. Don’t move on to the next goal until you complete the goal that you are working on.

Focusing on one goal at a time increases your chances to achieve it. That being said, whenever you feel the need to multi-task, step back and continue with your original plan.

Related resource: The book The One Thing shows how important it is to stop multi-tasking and the benefits of focusing on one thing at a time.

set short-term goals

Step 5: Let your actions speak loudly

Do you know what’s the secret to achieving your short-term goals? Taking action.

To see any positive change in your life or to achieve any goal, you have to take action. And the faster you start taking action, the better.

The first step in taking action is to get organized. No matter how good you are at remembering things, don’t rely on your memory skills. Add the dates of your action plan to your calendar. Go even further by setting alerts and notifications, too.

Follow a tracking system to help you remember your top goals, the action steps you need to take, and when to complete them. There are different options to use such as planners, desktop calendars, wall calendars, computer software, and even apps.

The key here is to use a system that you like and works for you. That will make it easier for you to use on a regular basis. For example, in addition to my paper planner, I like to use Google calendar where I set alerts, reminders, and organize my responsibilities by color.

Be prepared for the unexpected.

Getting prepared and organized ahead of time will always help you. You can have the perfect plan and the best motivation but unexpected things will still occur and might even get you off track. I agree that’s life. But when you have a plan, it helps you get back on track faster because you know exactly what to do next. Stay focused on your short-term goals and continue working to achieve them.

In the process, be flexible enough to make adjustments to your action plan (step 4) whenever those unexpected situations occur. After adjusting your plan, regain focus and keep moving forward.

short-term goals

Step 6: Evaluate your progress

Evaluating your progress is as crucial as taking action. That’s the only way to know how close you are to achieving your short-term goals.

Decide how often you should evaluate your progress. Take into consideration your personality, type of goal, and action steps. For example, if my main goal is to lose 12 pounds by the end of the first quarter, I can think of few options to evaluate my progress such as to check my weight:

   a) at the end of each month to make sure I lost 4 pounds

   b) every two Saturdays to make sure I lost 2 pounds

   c) every Saturday to make sure I lost 1 pound

In my case, I prefer the option “c”. Because if for some reason, I do not lose any weight that week, it will be easier for me to make adjustments to my plan for the following week.

Evaluating your progress on a regular basis will keep you on track to complete your short-term goals.

 

Bonus step: Reward yourself for achieving your short-term goals

Rewarding yourself is as important as the previous steps. Unfortunately, this step is frequently overlooked or forgotten for different reasons. Some people perceive it as a selfish act while others feel it’s a waste of time.

After all your effort, time, and energy invested to achieve your goals, it is perfectly fine to celebrate your accomplishments. It helps you feel more positive about your life and about yourself, increasing your motivation to achieve more dreams.

How should you celebrate?

Well, that’s a question that only you can answer. What motivates me would not necessarily motivate you. There are no right or wrong answers here. But, your reward has to be good enough to motivate you towards achieving your short-term goal.

Some ideas to reward yourself would be going to the movie theater, buying your favorite dessert, getting a massage, or something as simple as staying at home watching Netflix.

It’s also important to mention that you don’t always have to leave the reward for last. Let me explain it. After setting your quarterly goals, you don’t have to wait until the end of the three months to get your reward. Getting smaller rewards after successfully completing your weekly action steps, may motivate you more than waiting until the end of the month or even the quarter.

 

It’s your turn to set your short-term goals

That’s it! You have learned the benefits of setting detailed goals than vague resolutions. Now you have six simple steps to set your short-term goals. 

Easy and doable steps that helped you set the right mindset, identify what changes to focus on, prioritize short-term goals, establish realistic deadlines, prepare an action plan with their required steps, take action, track your progress…and why not, celebrate your achievements too!

Take a deep breath and let’s work on your goals. You already have all you need to succeed. Remember that you can also join the free goal setting challenge if you prefer.

Now, it’s your turn. What short-term goals do you have in mind? And, which one do you want to achieve first?

Filed Under: Blog, Self Improvement

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