Goal Setting That Works Even When Life’s Busy
You’re busy with ALL the things… and goal setting during busy times can feel impossible. Who has time to map out their trajectory in life? I get it. But, if you don’t take time to take a look at where you’re going you’re going to end up somewhere you never imagined, and it probably won’t be somewhere you really wanted to be.
It will be the result of minor shifts of “what has to happen” that will take you from the place you wanted to go and the place you ended up. Rarely does heads down, putting out the next fire lead you to amazing places. It usually ends up being somewhere so far from your visions, kind of dark, and just a little bit soul sucking.
This happens so often that they make movies out of it…and then the hero (that’s you) wakes up one day and says, “enough is enough!” That’s when they stop, take stock, grab a hold of their vision, make a plan, and start acting on it.
Why Goal Setting During Busy Times Matters
When you stop and take the time to make a plan, you’ll find that it will collapse the time you have to work on the goal. When the road is clearly laid out, you’ll have confidence moving forward. Your journey won’t be filled with random acts of busywork that goes nowhere. It will be filled with tasks that really move you forward towards achieving your BIG Dream.
Even just 5 minutes will do a lot of good. By setting goals and milestones that are connected to your BIG Dream you ensure that you do the things that will move you forward. You’ll also be able to say NO to the things that don’t align with where you want to go in life.
A Framework For Goal Setting During Busy Times
By using a framework to set your goals in motion you’ll minimize the time it takes to create the plan. With the SCAMP framework, you’ll not only set goals, but you’ll align them with your passions, values, and overall life vision, creating a powerful roadmap for success that feels right for you. Let’s dig in and see what it’s all about…
Solid & Strategic – Ensure your goals are well-founded and strategically aligned with your long-term aspirations. Ask yourself:
- Why is this goal important to me?
- What long-term impact will it have?
Core Values – Align your goals with your core values, making sure that each goal reflects what is most important to you. Ask yourself:
- What’s one non-negotiable value I will not compromise on when pursuing my dream?
Actionable – Set goals that are specific and include clear steps you can take to achieve them. Ask yourself:
- What is one small action I can take today to get closer to my goal?
Measurable – Define how you will measure success for each goal to track your progress and make adjustments as necessary. Ask yourself:
- How will I know when I’ve succeeded?
- What metrics will I use?
Plan – Develop a detailed plan that outlines the actions, timelines, and resources needed to achieve your goals. Ask yourself:
- What is my timeline for each task, and what resources do I need to achieve it?
When you spend even just 5 minutes thinking about these items and writing them down you give yourself the first level of clarity. And as my mentor, Bari Baumgardner, says, “Clarity begets clarity.”
Clarity Grows Through Consistent Practice
Each iteration of this practice will give you even better clarity than the time before because you will have learned things, gained experience from taking action, and can see just a little bit further into the future.
If you would like to dive a little deeper into this framework, you can download the SCAMP Infographic. This infographic will walk you through each component of the SCAMP framework, with simple yet powerful prompts to help you identify your key values, break down your dreams into actionable steps, and create a strategy that keeps you motivated and moving forward.