Monthly Goal Setting Will Change Your Trajectory

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• The Syllabus Study Planner

• The Pomodoro Planner

• A Confidence Tracker

• A Q&A planner

• The “Get Organized Checklist”

• and more!

This workbook is full of super useful resources that can be applied to every aspect of your day.

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A few months ago, I was utterly overwhelmed. I had so many things I wanted to achieve—both for my family and my business—but every time I sat down to plan, I felt like I was drowning in an endless list of tasks. It was exhausting, and I wasn't making any real progress.

I plugged away and threw myself into my work, but I felt like I was just chasing my tail. Then something clicked: my problem wasn’t that I wasn’t working hard enough. It was that I didn’t have a clear roadmap. I wasn’t setting goals—at least, not in a way that set me up for success.

I knew I needed a change, so I started small. I decided to set monthly goals—just a few manageable objectives that I could focus on without getting overwhelmed. And the difference was immediate. Breaking things down into monthly targets helped me feel more in control, more focused, and—most importantly—less stressed.

That’s when I discovered the power of SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely objectives that pushed me forward without burning me out. And as soon as I implemented this strategy, I realized something amazing: achieving goals is possible, even when life feels chaotic.

In this post, I’ll share how I turned my life around with a few simple productivity tips and how you can use monthly goal-setting to do the same.

Why is Goal-Setting So Important?

Setting and achieving goals is the best way to make and continue to generate progress. Goal-setting is crucial to success. If you have no clear vision of what you want to accomplish, you will be hard-pressed to accomplish anything.  Having clear goals in mind is vital to this process. Monthly goals are a great way of maintaining growth towards larger, long-term goals. They allow you enough time to make measurable progress without forcing you into a frenzy.  Learn how to set monthly goals that will boost your productivity and potential. Completely change your directory and create the life that you have always wanted.

Monthly goals, broken down weekly, push you to gain momentum daily without overtaxing your already busy schedule.  If you already have a clear vision in mind, you are two steps ahead. Good job! But let’s say you don't really have a monthly goal.  If you have a vision of where you want to be in the future, you basically have a goal. Now, let’s clarify it:

• Have you made some resolutions this year? 

• How are they going? 

• How long did you keep them? 

• Did you have a clear path on how you wanted to achieve them? 

• Have you taken any deliberate steps to achieve them?

• And most importantly, have you written them down or set a deadline?

Without a clear, step-by-step plan to follow, reaching even the simplest resolutions will be challenging. Let's stop and break down how we would set these goals. Then maybe we can shed some light on why this is so important. 

What are SMART Goals?

Goal setting can look different depending on your comfort level. Do you often have a dream of how your future will look like? Have you ever said, “Once I —-, I will —-”? These are precursors to goals. Without a plan, a goal is just a dream. You need to create a SMART plan to achieve them.

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely goals are the most likely to be achieved. Creating a vision board is a great way to organize your different goals for each area of your life. Vision Boards use the power of visualization and manifestation to help you set and achieve crucial goals. These are generally large goals. These goals will take time and planning to achieve.

Creating a vision board and posting it somewhere visible will potentially materialize this new possibility. You have created a plan, made it real, and now you can achieve it. Simply creating a vision board and including large, tangible goals has been shown to make it more likely to accomplish what you set out to. But first, you have to put it out into the Universe. Start with this vision board, and the path to your large-scale goals will begin to become clear.

If you are struggling with setting long-term goals, try our FREE printable Passion Planner. This intensive workbook will take you on a journey of self-discovery. It will help you discover your ambitions and interests. It will help you really consider where you want your life to lead and what is important to you. Download it here and take the afternoon to complete it. I suggest a hot cup of coffee, a cozy blanket, and settle in.

How to Get Started with Goal-Setting

Let’s say your goal is to live a healthier lifestyle.  It seems simple enough.  But without a doable plan on how you want to achieve this, you will quickly slip back into old habits.

Now there are different definitions of a healthy lifestyle depending on your starting point.  A good place to start is a goal for the first month or simply eating better.  Maybe your goal for the first week is to not buy any junk food on your next grocery shopping trip.  The week after that, you could substitute fresh veggies for a bag of chips once that week.  The following week we can make the same substitutions 3 times. 

Next, you can commit to trying out one new “healthy” recipe a week.  These goals should be clearly written out in your planner each week.  If you do not use a planner, post it somewhere that you look at every day, like on your nightstand or your bedroom mirror, so that you are reminded of your goals each morning. These simple steps are clear and well-defined. You have either achieved them or not.  You can feel a sense of accomplishment when you cross the item off your list. 

Using a planner really is the best way to set and achieve goals. It will help you track your progress, but it will help you better track your time and obligations, increasing your productivity. Try using our printable planner template for a low-stress start with planner life.

Break down your goals.

Breaking down a large goal into these little pieces makes them more attainable. No matter how committed you are to buying that gym membership and working out five days a week, starting January 1st, chances are not in your favour.  Expecting something so drastic from yourself is unrealistic and cruel.  Let yourself build up to a goal that big.

Many resolutions fail, not because of goal setting but because of implementation. It is essential in any area that you strive for progress over perfection. Achievable setting goals is much more rewarding than striving for something beyond your reach and falling short.

• Take baby steps,

• Create a realistic and achievable plan,

• Slowly increase the difficulty and commitment as you notice progress.

Perhaps you want to save more money this year.  You should still start with the little steps that have clearly defined parameters. Start with a budget.  Your goal for the first month can be something as simple as sticking to it.  Or maybe you only eat out once this week.  Next week, you don’t eat out at all unless it is previously scheduled.  Another week, there could be no impulse buying.

Another route could be transferring a predetermined sum into savings.  Try $10 the first week and $15 the second.  Slowly increase the amounts weekly until you reach an amount that works with your budget. These small goals all build into a larger ultimate goal, but they are things that you can apply to your life today. 

Being able to track daily progress will motivate you to continue making progress toward progressively larger goals.

Improving your GPA is a goal most students share.  An excellent place to start would be X number of hours of studying per subject per month, depending on your starting point.  This, of course, is broken down weekly and adjusted as needed. Notice again that these goals can be broken down into smaller segments that you can achieve daily and weekly.

I want to re-emphasize their importance if you are still on the fence about using a planner. These are crucial tools to help you to achieve your goals. To-do lists often have an “out of sight, out of mind” existence. When you do not reflect on this list, it just does not exist. Having a planner that you check and update daily will help you to cross these items off faster. The best part of goal setting is your sense of accomplishment from achieving these goals. 

Breaking down large goals into tiny manageable levels allows you not only to make an intimidating goal reasonable. It will also give you room to grow into larger expectations of yourself. If you successfully save $100 this month.  Maybe we can aim for $200 next month.  Maybe you were able to overshoot that goal and save $150. 

How much better about yourself will you feel if you save the $100 or more that you set out to save this month than if you didn't save any of the $1,000 you wanted to save this year?

Setting goals with no plan for achieving them is just a setup for failure. Giving yourself a month to achieve something is a reasonable time frame without forcing yourself into an unrealistic schedule. It also gives you some leeway, so if you fall short of a goal one week. You can still make it up by the end of the month. The most important thing to remember is to break your monthly goals down weekly and review them daily. This keeps them present in your mind, so you are constantly looking for ways to make progress. This progress is what leads you to your destination.

Goals can be almost anything, even obligations that already exist in your life.  You might have a goal for this month: to complete all your past-due homework. Perhaps you need to elaborate on the large pile of lecture notes you have been neglecting.  Maybe next month’s goal is to stay current. The most important thing about goal setting is to be realistic. Goal setting does not have to be reserved for yachts and fancy houses. Today, your goals may be more humble but no less important. Being realistic about your goals keeps you grounded and ensures you set achievable targets. 

If goal setting is new to you, starting with things that are already expected of your time is best. Items like keeping your study schedule or getting the mark you want on an upcoming exam are a great place to start. These are examples of goals that are great for beginners. They are an excellent gateway to obtaining the motivation and sense of accomplishment that will push you to believe in yourself.   

As you build your self-confidence, you'll find yourself setting more ambitious goals. This increased self-belief will drive you to make more significant strides towards your dreams, pushing you to aim higher and achieve more.

Goal setting is also an excellent way to cultivate self-discipline. By imposing limits on yourself, such as managing your finances or time, you can learn to say no to immediate gratification and focus on your responsibilities. This self-discipline will not only help you achieve your goals but also instill a sense of personal responsibility, an essential trait for success.

Now, you don't need an ultimate dream of where you want your life to go in order to set short-term goals.  It is a good idea to start getting into that mindset. This year, set the goal to choose a profession or to build and run a multinational company, or perhaps it's something closer to home.  Having these clearly defined, long-term goals will help to drive not only the theme of your short-term goals but also give you a clear sense of direction and make massive undertakings more manageable.  Year by year, month by month, and week by week, you can tick off each of these milestones while on the path to your own personal success story.

Take Your Study Skills to the Next Level

As you work on setting goals and improving your productivity, it’s important to recognize that effective study skills are crucial for long-term success—whether you're a student, a professional, or someone simply wanting to improve in a new area. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start when it comes to organizing your study sessions, that’s where the Study Skills Digital Course comes in.

This course was designed with busy people in mind. Whether you're juggling classes, work, or family, it breaks down the key strategies you need to boost your productivity, manage your time effectively, and create sustainable study habits.

Here’s what you can expect from the Study Skills Digital Course:

• On-demand video lessons that fit into your schedule, so you can learn at your own pace.

• ownloadable resources that make it easy to implement what you’ve learned right away, including customizable study planners and productivity trackers.

• Proven techniques for goal setting, time management, and effective study strategies, helping you get organized and stay on track.

Whether you're aiming to ace your exams, stay on top of your workload, or simply improve your learning habits, this course has everything you need to reach your goals. Don’t just take my word for it—students and professionals alike have seen a dramatic improvement in their focus and results after applying the methods taught in this course.

Goal setting is a powerful tool, but it's only the beginning. The real magic happens when you take consistent, focused action toward what you want to achieve. Whether you’re working on your monthly goals, refining your productivity, or staying committed to your SMART goals, having the right resources at your fingertips can make all the difference.

To help you get started, I’ve created a free Study Planner and Activity Tracker. It’s designed to help you organize your goals, break down tasks, and stay accountable every step of the way. This is the exact tool I use to stay focused and productive, and I’m confident it will help you do the same.

Click here to download your free Study Planner and Activity Tracker, and take that first step toward a more organized and productive you.

I would like to be transparent so that there are no misunderstandings. As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission from any products linked in this post. This is not a sponsored post, and I was not asked to recommend these products. These are products that I genuinely love and wanted to share with my audience.