The Process of Setting Goals to Match Your (God-Given) Purpose

I’m going to give you a bird’s eye-view (a giant bird) of the process I use with clients who are serious about growing their business (or blog). They realize they need help and although they are apprehensive, they do the work necessary to implement systems to take them to their destination.

Step 1: Goal Setting Brainstorming

Once you’ve set up a discovery call and I understand where you are at, I set up a Brainstorming Session. This is more detailed and helps me develop your work proposal. Here are questions you’ll be asked: (answers are my own)

What is your BIG GOAL?
In every area of my life, I want the freedom to be ME where ever I’m needed.

What type of goal is this?
This is a personal, financial, and spiritual goal.

What does this look like for you?
I’m confident in my role in this world, in my family, and in my freelance business. Ultimately it means I’m taking the time to care for my body, my wise mind, my mental health, and my spiritual self. I spend stress-free, quality time with my husband and try to be relevant in my boy’s lives.

I am bold and respect my clients by not hiding behind the excuses of “I’m an introvert, shy or scared”. By being honest with myself, my clients, and my family, everyone benefits.
I may need to start slowly and at a lower wage than I’d like, but this season will pass. I will learn what clients I enjoy serving as well as what projects give me the most satisfaction.

I check-in with myself monthly, mapping out goals or adjusting them in order to reach them within a realistic time period. I am well-rested and not over-worked. I earn income by sharing the doing what I’m good at (behind-the-scenes work) so my clients can earn more money, stress less, close more deals or book more calls.

Why Did You Choose This Specific Goal?

I chose confidence as my focus because that is where I begin. If my soul is healthy, everything else seems to follow. I take better care of myself, my family, and my clients. Walking in this confidence, I will finally do what I was put on this earth to do – love others and help them see that they are capable beings ready to shed their old skin and live their purpose.

Are you 100% Committed to This Goal?
Honestly, commitment is a difficult word for me. This is why I schedule a monthly check-in with myself. It’s a muscle that I’ve neglected and need to build up again. I will commit to waking each day with a smile in my heart, thankful for the breath I’ve been given as well as the opportunity to see the faces of my husband and my boys. From here I commit to working on my “money task” first thing in the morning when I’m at my best and most productive. One month at a time is the most I can confidently commit to right now.

Is Your Goal Single Focused or Multifaceted?
The main goal focuses on one thing (Confidence) then branches off into others (financial freedom as it pertains to my family and spiritual freedom as it pertains to my relationship with God).

Does it fuel your ambition or God-given Purpose?
Self-Confidence fuels my ambition to see my clients at their best, free from the stress related to the ‘busyness’ of being self-employed. Personally, I enjoy helping people and encouraging people is the reason I am here.

How Does This Goal Align with How You See Yourself?
When healthy, I see myself very capable of accomplishing what I set out to do! Accomplishment fuels my confidence which fuels my spirit and reaffirms my usefulness to the world, my family, and my clients.

How Does Your Goal Bring Clarity to Your Life’s Purpose?
I am clear on the big picture for my life (goal). I need to stay grounded, not overwork myself, ask for help when needed, set clear boundaries, and NOT do everything overnight. I serve everyone (I am destined to serve) best by taking my time until I am able to walk confidently on my own without “thinking about every minute possibility” for the next step.

What is Your Big, Audacious Goal?

I will actively work on connecting to myself and my God. I will be confident in my purposeful existence on this planet. I will live in the truth that I am needed, wanted, and useful. This means actively stepping out of my comfort zone daily, breaking the “fear barrier”, and serving my clients in a way that makes them shine. Specifically, it looks likes this:

• Booking 3 calls per day
• Calling 3 people (or emailing) per week to continually have a client workflow
• Asking for referrals from current clients
• Actively engaging people online through social media, groups, blogs, and forums
• Providing exceptional customer service
• Delivering my best work (over delivering quality)
• Taking care of me by taking the time to rest, spend quality time with my family (myself and God), exercising (15-minute walk) and eating a healthy (sans sugar, sodium, and caffeine) diet
• Monthly accountability sessions

Step 2: Steps to Keep You From Failing (or Giving Up)

It’s fine to set a huge goal and to dream of what life will be like when this goal is accomplished, BUT ,

What will you do to Keep from Failing?

I will make vague goals more precise by mapping out the steps to get to my desired end. Examples are:

• Wake up at 6am thankful for the life I’ve been gifted
• Read and spend some time in silent contemplation, journal write, and clear all that is bothering me
• Serve by husband and boys by appreciating their presence, spending time with them without distractions, and loving on them
• Get the job done by doing my “money task” first thing in the morning when I’m at my best
• Take a walk each morning (8am) whether I feel like it or not, slowing increasing by 15-minute increments as my back is able to handle it
• Take work breaks – 1 to 2 hours to relax and not eat at the computer
• Stress less about chores and a perfect ‘place’ and more on meeting the needs of the people who live in the house
• Work “on” my business which means growing my contact list, updating my records, and increasing my knowledge
• I will not work overnight instead I will stop at 4PM (sometimes 6PM) and live my life by transitioning to “family and relaxation” time

What Are Some Bad Habits That You Need to Be Aware Of?

• Negative thinking
• Self-doubt
• Comparison (not going as fast as I think I should)
• Skipping breaks
• No spiritual or self-care
• No exercise
• Focusing too much on making money
• Oversleeping or not sleeping
• Over-thinking and Overwhelmed to exhaustion and paralysis.

What Are Some Things You Can Do to Make This A Priority?

• Cut the negative Nellie short
• Don’t base everything on feeling
• Do the “money task” first No excuses (365/day/year) even when tired, sick, and busy
• Don’t belittle yourself if you don’t do something as planned. Plans change. They can be amended. Quitting is no longer a word in your vocabulary – only continuous effort no matter how small is acceptable.
• Read books, music, listen to inspirational talks, read forums, ask for help, take care of “me”, rest properly, eat other things besides sweets and coffee. Regular monthly check-ins
• Don’t compromise just for a few dollars
• Don’t do work that makes you miserable

Who Are Your Supporters & Encouragers?

FB groups, husband, solo-masterminds

What (Abilities/Tools) Do You Have Right Now To Ensure That You Meet This Goal?

• Determination
• Phone alerts
• Accountable to Clients, Self, Family, and Mastermind Group
• I currently have confidence but I know this feeling may leave.I will plan for when the “high” leaves. Ex. I’m not feeling great today, could someone call me (message me) in 1-hour to check to see if I’ve done my “money task” for the day?

Are You Currently Single-Minded (Focused) On Pursing This Goal?

Currently, I’m focused, but some things I can do to develop my “focus muscle” are:

• Limit Korean Dramas to the weekend only
• Do Not Entertain Oversleeping
• Catching Myself When I OverThink Things (my way of procrastinating)
• Take in Less Information (Browsing the internet) by “writing as much as I consume”
• Journaling to keep daily tabs on what I spend my time on
• Revisit My Daily Plan By Asking Myself: “is it doable?” and “Can I break it into smaller steps?”
• Always have a backup for when I have low-energy days or emergency situations that come up
• Continue to Wake at 6am to feed the dog
• Continue to read, listen to music, pray, exercise, shower, and do chores as part of my routine
• For the most part, commit to the following schedule: 8am – 12pm (money task), 12pm – 2pm (break by getting away from my desk to eat a healthy lunch and relax), 2:15 – 4pm (business administration)
• Make it a Point to Clock Out At 4Pm (6PM on Designated Days)
• Transition to Family Time by Writing To-Do List for Tomorrow, Closing the Laptop, and Turning off Notifications
• Learn persistence despite my feelings
• Meditate, Pray, and Exercise
• No new email lists, projects or new learning (2016) only

Step 3: Successfully Setting Goals

Do You Currently Believe In Your Ability to Achieve Your Goal?

I believe in my goals. I am capable and I believe by releasing my expectations of how things “should go” I will receive blessings multiplied from God.

Spending time in meditation and solitude will give me space (or the buffer) I need from the over stimulus of interacting with others. It will also calm me before the start of the work day. I can do all things according to God’s riches in mercy.

Describe In Detail (5-senses) What Meeting Your Goal Feels and Looks Like:

This is a good time to create your vision board.

• How will it feel? Restful, peaceful, energetic, stable
• How will it smell? Daffodil hill
• How will it taste? Bengal spiced tea

How Will You Track Your Results?

• I will document my progress in a business journal (or post)
• I will set hard deadlines and meet them
• “Small steps lead to big goals”

Make a Commitment to Yourself:

• Appointment with myself (accountability partner) 1st of the Month
• Set up an accountability group of my own
• Daily steps will make me stronger (baby steps) are less discouraging and quicker

Make Your Goals S.M.A.R.T. (as it pertains to the blog):

January - Start Blogging in order to get content on the site

February 1: review goals, Start collecting data of traffic to blog (page views and subscribers)

March 1: review goals, Check analytics for Traffic Map, 50 page views per day

April 1: review goals, Check analytics for Traffic Map, 75 page views per day

May 1: review goals, Check analytics for Traffic Map, 125 page views per day

June 1: Make adjustments, Now that the blog is established how will you increase traffic to 1,000 page views per day

Always have an alternate plan for low-energy days. I will use lists, milestones, and track progress

What Tools Do You Need?

I currently use a number of tools to work on clients projects. Most are connected to my browser like StayFocused, Buffer, Hootsuite, Pin Scheduler, Toggl, etc.

Do You Need Additional Education?

I try to attend the Virtual Assistants Conference once per year. (2015)

How Will You Ensure Consistency?

Tracking my progress on a chart (old school with pen and paper) is the best way for me. It is on my inspiration wall.

What New Habits Need to Be Developed?

Walking daily (routine), choosing healthy foods over quick bites and faux energy boosts, and ending work at the proper time.

How can I forgive myself when I fall off track?

• Check emotions and stay positive
• Break – refresh my mind
• Notepad – to capture distracting thoughts
• Reschedule missed appointments and classes

That’s it in a HUGE nutshell. 🙂