Goal Setting

Rocky outcropping of the Canadian Shield, grey rocks with bits of orange

One of the things I love doing when we drive up north is taking pictures of the Canadian Shield rocks pushing out of the ground. They are SOLID! Seeing something so sturdy reminds me of setting goals. 

I never used to set goals, I'd have random wishes like "maybe one day I'll do this..." Then a few years ago I decided to be firm with setting my goals. Three books and a lot of minor goals later, I'd say goal setting works. 

They don’t even have to be really big goals. You may want to clean out your closet or tidy your bookshelf, but every time you think of getting started, you get completely overwhelmed. I get it — and I’ve been there. Emptying out the closet only to try and figure out how on earth you fit that many things inside such a small space! (Isn’t it incredible how we can pack so many things in defined space??) If it’s overwhelming, start small.

Take your big goal, and break it down into small steps. 

Let’s use cleaning out the closet as an example — I know, what does that have to do with creativity? Well, we all need tidy spaces, and while we may be daunted by trying something creative, all of us have closets in need of tidying. (If you don’t, I’d love to hear your tips! :))

Okay, so we start with the big goal:

  • Clean closet and clothes drawers.

Break it down into smaller chunks:

  • Get box for donating clothes

  • Get bag for clothes to throw out

  • Organize sock drawer(s) (Yes, I have several sock drawers. I can’t help it, there are socks for every season and I seem to struggle with throwing out ones even if they don’t fit … and I mean you tiny ankle socks that are supposed to be “one size fits all”)

  • Organize undergarment drawer(s)

  • Sort through t-shirts

  • Sort through seasonal clothes

  • Organize pants / skirts / dresses

  • Organize special occasion clothes

  • Sort through favourite clothes (yes, that includes the sweatshirt you’ve had since high school.) You can keep them, just make sure there’s room.

So now you’re back at the overwhelming bit. You don’t have to do them all in one day. Consider the sock drawer, and break that down into smaller bites:

  • Empty sock drawer

  • Pair up loose socks

  • Throw out (or re-purpose) socks with holes in them

  • Donate socks that are too small / never been worn

  • Re-fold and place any clean socks back in drawer

  • Wash any socks that have been in the drawer for a long time, then dry, re-fold and place back in the drawer (or ask why they’ve been there for too long, and if you should donate them.)

Before you know it, you’ve got a stellar organized sock drawer and you feel like you can take on the world. 

What if you can? What is that big goal that you can break down into smaller bites? Do you want to go back to school? Learn how to embroider? Learn woodworking? Want to go hiking in the wilderness but can’t tell a maple tree from poison ivy?

Start at the beginning. 

Write down your goal, then start writing down what you need to have or to learn in order to reach your goal. Then break down each of these smaller goals into another bite-sized piece. 

My husband did a blog on this several years ago, and after I read it I was really inspired, so I created a checklist/spreadsheet to follow. Here is the link to Michael’s blog - you might find it helpful! https://www.mwsdrums.ca/2020/07/10/462/  and here is the goal checklist to download:

If organizing your home / craft space is of interest, check out the websites below:

Marie Kondo: https://konmari.com/ 

Dana K. White: https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/ 


For more general goal planning:

Brian Moran & Michael Lennington: https://12weekyear.com/

Hal Elrod: https://miraclemorning.com/

goal setting, encouragement, tipsJackie Scottencouragement, confidence, tips, breaking down goals into smaller stepsComment