The uncertainty that was 2020 makes it even more important to get crystal clear on where you’re going for 2021. And that means goal-setting.
What have you learned from 2020? One thing I learned is that anything and everything can happen! I’m more than ready to put 2020 in the rearview mirror and plan for 2021. How about you?
Setting Goals
You may have goals for many aspects of your life. The important thing when setting goals is that they’re SMART goals. What is that, you ask? SMART stands for:
Specific – focused on one thing
Measurable – not just “more” or “less,” use actual numbers or other specific indicators
Achievable – set yourself up for success
Reasonable – for example, if you’re trying to lose weight, make it an amount that’s possible
Time-bound – deadlines are motivating
Goal Setting Tips
- Think about what you want to achieve in your lifetime, your legacy.
- Write them down or make a vision board. This helps hone your focus. Be sure to only use positive statements. For example, eat three healthy meals/day instead of eating less junk.
- For bigger goals, break them into smaller milestones and track your progress.
- Stay motivated by remembering your why.
Types of Goals
You can set goals for any aspect of your life. Some of the most common are:
- Career
- Finance
- Health
- Relationships
- Personal Development & Growth
- Spirituality
- For even more ideas, check out these 50 examples.
Finance Goals
While we could look at each one in-depth, I will do a deeper dive on finance goals because COVID-19 has changed how many Americans look at and handle their finances. The following table is taken from a survey done by Credit Karma and indicates the aspects of finances people have changed the most in different age groups.
| New habit | All respondents | 18–34 | 35–54 | 55 or older |
| Following a budget | 37% | 53% | 37% | 26% |
| Reprioritizing necessities and spending less on daily expenses (for example, gym, transportation, takeout) | 36% | 47% | 38% | 27% |
| Focusing more effort on saving | 33% | 57% | 28% | 23% |
| Tracking my credit scores more closely | 21% | 28% | 26% | 13% |
| Learning more about financial markets and investing | 16% | 21% | 19% | 10% |
The pandemic changed how many Americans approach their finances, and most plan to keep it up in the coming year. This may be part of why people are feeling optimistic about their financial situation in 2021.
Have you changed any aspects of how you handle your finances and budget as a result of the pandemic?
Planning Your 2021
If one of your goals for 2021 is to be more organized (remember to write it using the SMART method above), Our monthly planner was developed based on our years of expertise as a personal assistant. It includes printable pages to coordinate your daily schedule, view your week, month, or even year at a glance, track your goals, and more.
What are some of your goals for 2021?
