Yesterday we talked a bit about setting goals and why it’s important to set meaningful and specific goals that are measurable. I hope you’ve spent a little time thinking about what some of your own goals may be. That’s because today it’s time to put the theory to practice and use writing down goals and checking them off as a confidence hack.
This isn’t going to be as hard or as complicated as you may think at first glance. Yesterday we talked about some pretty big, long-term goals. While those are great to have, there are also much smaller, daily goals we can use to get a boost in confidence. These are the small goals you want to write down and check off. Sometimes they are part of your bigger goals, sometimes they aren’t.
Think about what you want to get done today. Maybe this includes making a meal plan for the week, finding some time to read a book, or taking an hour for yourself to play a video game. Maybe it’s weeding the garden. Maybe it’s replacing the windshield wiper fluid in your car. It doesn’t matter how large or small, write those goals down on a small notepad that you can carry with you or leave at your desk or kitchen counter. Then, as you accomplish each small goal, check it off. You can put a check mark next to it or cross it out. Try them both and see which one feels better. Try transferring your goals to your Success notebook and reward yourself for completing them with charms from Reward Your Success™.
It’s very satisfying to check items off your goals or to-do list. Each time you check something off, you get a mini boost of confidence that will help motivate you to tackle the next task, and the next one. Mix and match goals or tasks that are very easy to accomplish, and those that take a little longer or require a little more will power on your part.
Play around with how much you put on your list to check off. If you find yourself overwhelmed with too many tasks and goals, limit it to no more than five things. If you find that you can’t possibly make it through your entire list and that not finishing gets you down, make sure you add no more than what you can comfortably finish. If on the other hand having quite a few extra items on that list motivates you to see how much you can check off before bedtime, load up that goals list. Make it work for you and see what system gives you the biggest boost in confidence and courage.