Print This Page

This is the second part on goal achievement. You learned in Part 1 how to define day-to-day goals so you can achieve goals. To view Part 1 you can click here on Goal Setting.

Goal Achievement Using A Daily Action List

So let's get started. For your goal achievement, the first thing we'll talk about is your action list. Your action list is often called your "things to do" list. These are the items you think you have to get done the next day or you think you're going to get done today. It is essential that you create an action list each and every evening before you go to bed as an outline for what you intend to accomplish the next day.

The items on your action list should follow closely the objectives you want to accomplish that will ultimately lead you to your goal. In other words, if your goal is to finish a writing project you should have broken that project down into several different tasks.

One of those tasks should make it to your action list each and every night. Stay at home moms and dads can also include tasks they would normally do around the house or with the children in order to be sure that they aren't overbooking themselves for the day.

Each evening prior to going to bed you will review your objectives and determine which tasks need to be completed the following day so that you continue on your road to success. Make some attempt to keep the task list reasonable.

In other words, if you recognize a specific task is going to take four hours, such as cleaning the carpets in the entire house, it probably isn't a good idea to include another large task to be done on the same day. However, specific tasks to be done toward the achievement of your writing project must be included each and every day.

The next morning, after arising but prior to really starting the day, sit down with your action list. Take a good look at the items that you want to accomplish today. Close your eyes and very quietly see yourself accomplishing and finishing each of those tasks. If one of those tasks is to clean the carpets then imagine yourself cleaning them in the order in which you would normally clean the house.

If in the next task you are going to attempt to paint the bathroom then imagine yourself with the paintbrush, preparing the room and finalizing the painting.

This entire task should take no more than five minutes. Use this method of imagining yourself completing your task list each and every morning. This is a method which will help your subconscious mind believe that you have already accomplished the goal and that you must accomplish the goal in order to achieve success for the day.

Even tasks which you find to be irritating or you don't wish to complete will suddenly become easier.

The action list should be completed each night prior to going to bed and reviewed the next morning prior to getting started with your day. Keep track of the things you put on your list and the things you accomplish. Try this for two weeks. At the end of two weeks review what you've accomplished and you'll find that the periods of time during the day when you may have become distracted have suddenly become more productive and more focused.

This method of moving towards goal achievement most often gives you the ability to become more productive than you were before. Do not be tempted to fill the extra time with too many more "productivity" items but instead spend more time with your family or having fun in order to achieve a more balanced life.

Other wiki resources: goal setting, achieve goals, goal achievement, goals development, positive thinking