If you’re feeling pretty inspired to get organized, you’re not the only one. There’s just one problem: you’re lacking motivation. It’s not that you’re lazy – OK, fine, you totally are, but you still want to get something out of your career and life. Here’s the lazy girl’s guide to setting goals — now you can accomplish something amazing without putting in a ton of effort.
- Start super small. Even smaller than you think. Let’s say you want to get promoted — that’s a pretty big dream and you might feel overwhelmed. If you start by not only meeting deadlines but handing in projects early, you’ll be on the right track and your boss will be impressed. The same goes for eating healthy – try swapping an unhealthy ingredient for a healthier one and better habits will follow.
- Ask for wine-fuelled advice. You’re already in awe of your confident, always-put-together BFF who goes after what she wants and actually gets it — why not ask for some helpful advice? You don’t have to copy her methods – in fact, you probably shouldn’t, because what works for one person doesn’t work for the other – but you’ll get something out of the conversation. Throw in a free bottle of wine and she’ll be more than happy to help out.
- Make space for what you like. It’s easier said than done that you should do what you love and forget all the rest. You still have dentist appointments and groceries to buy and all that not-so-fun stuff. But if you have a goal, part of the process is following your heart and making time for it. Want to get a full-time writing gig? Start a blog to get the words flowing. You get the idea.
- Start yesterday. If you’re not the most motivated person that you know, then you need to stop procrastinating and get started ASAP. If you wait, you’ll never get what you want, and that shouldn’t be an option. Tell yourself there are zero excuses.
- Own who you are and where you’re going. When setting a huge goal, it’s a good idea to post somewhere pretty public – like Instagram or Facebook – so you’re accountable. You’ll also be proving to your social circle that, yeah, this is who you are, and this is the path you’re going down, so they’d better get on board. You’ll gain boatloads of confidence just from pressing “enter.”
- Picture your goals not being met. Sometimes, when you really need that kick in the butt to get moving, it’s a good idea to think about what you’ll feel like if you don’t reach your goal. If you stay stuck where you are forever, if you don’t get that new job, if you never find true happiness. You’ll probably be pretty bummed and feel like a total failure. It’s pretty effective.
- Set mini-goals along the way. You want to feel like you’re getting somewhere, not stuck at the side of the road, wondering how long until you reach your destination. If you can set mini-goals – get your boss to approve a new pitch, connect with an ex-co-worker, etc. – then you’ll feel more productive and much happier while you’re working towards your overarching, larger goal.
- Don’t lie to yourself. It’s easier than you might think to set goals that you supposedly should be going after rather than what is really right for you. If you can make sure you’re actually excited about what you’re doing and not just listening to society/your BFF/your mom, you’re on the right track.
- Have fun. You may not want to put a ton of effort into meeting your goal but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the process. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point? Meeting any challenge with a smile on your face sounds super cheesy but can actually make anything easier.
