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Posts Categorized: Goal Setting

Goal Setting 101: An Essential Worksheet

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

We all have dreams, but without a clear structure, even the best intentions can fall by the wayside. If you’ve ever started a project only to lose steam a few weeks later, you might be missing the “basics” of goal setting.

Today on my blog and podcast, we break down the anatomy of a successful goal—from crafting a precise statement and identifying obstacles to the power of daily visualization.

Whether you’re moving house or starting a new career, these steps will help you stay the course.

Includes a free downloadable goal worksheet.

8 Pillars for a Managed, Meaningful, God-Centered Life

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Are you simply checking off a to-do list, or are you intentionally designing a life you love?

Whether you are just starting out or entering a season of reflection, it is never too late to redefine your path.

Today on my blog and podcast, I share eight foundational pillars—from making God your cornerstone to mastering the habit of forgiveness—that can help you navigate life with more peace and purpose.

I invite you to explore how wisdom and intentionality can turn your “someday” desires into a manageable reality.

Adjust Your Focus

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

This is the final post in my series on making a goal plan.

You’ve thought about things you need to do before starting a goal.
You’ve created a sample goal plan.
You’ve refined your goal.

Today, we’re going to look at common distractors that result in abandoning a goal.

I’ll suggest five important ways you can adjust your focus so you stay on track to achieve your goal.

TAKEAWAY: When you’re willing to change your way of thinking, you can find solutions.

My Refined Goal

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

architectural drawing of a house

In the previous posts in this series, you learned 5 things to do before starting a goal. Next, I showed you the steps I took to create a goal for myself when I needed to sell my home and find a new residence.

Today we’ll look at how I updated and refined my initial goal plan.

There were no homes for sale within my community that would fit my requirements: within my new financial reality, comfort, etc.

I reviewed additional options: purchase and move a modular home to a site in my community, build a new home, or move out of my area.

Read/listen to learn how I revised my goal plan.

A Sample Goal Plan

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

For Sale sign in front of house

Last week, you learned 5 things to do before starting a goal.

Today, I’ll show you the steps I took to create a goal plan for myself during a major life transition.

I used this model after the death of my husband. I realized I would have to move from the beautiful new home we had just built to a much smaller home. I went through the process of deciding where I wanted to live. Then I decided whether to purchase or build a new home.

I encourage you to use this simple, step-by-step process when planning a goal.

5 Things to Do Before Starting a Goal

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Before you begin working to achieve a goal, create a plan of action that includes 5 important elements.

Today on my blog and podcast, we’ll review important goal-setting tips, and I’ll share the 9 components of a goal.

First thing to remember: goals aren’t a life sentence that you have to finish. They simply provide the means by which you can accomplish the things that are really important.

Read on…

Steps to Success

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

We all want to build a better life for ourselves and our families. But where do we begin? How do we stay on track?

First, we must remember that life is an ongoing series of growth and stages.

Today on my blog and podcast, you’ll learn five ways to start the journey. First, you must identify the obstacles that are keeping you from living a more meaningful life.

Where Do You Want to Be?

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

I have built three homes, two with my husband and one on my own.

If you plan to build a home, here are some things you need to know first:

  • Where do I want to live?
  • Is there land available that will accommodate the house I want to build?
  • What size home do I want?
  • How much can I afford?
  • What kind of community do I want to be part of?

Today on my blog and podcast: The parallels between building a house to planning what you want to achieve in life.

Live Life to the Fullest

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

hands on steering wheel

When planning a trip, we consider exactly where we want to go, what we need to do to make the trip happen, and how to get there.

When traveling through life, however, we often don’t stop long enough to think, plan, and prepare.

Today on my podcast and blog, you’ll learn about the importance of planning action steps to achieve a goal.

Template for Creating a Doable Goal

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Goals aren’t a life sentence. Goals simply help us accomplish important things.

Ongoing evaluation and monitoring are important when setting goals. They help us recognize when…

…we need to break our goal into smaller components.

…we need to adjust the time frame for achieving our goal.

Today on my blog and podcast, we wrap up this month’s 5-part series on goal setting. We’ll review the 9 essential components of a doable goal. For each, I’ll provide a personal example, which I hope will give you ideas for how to structure your own goal.

Leave a comment and let me know what goal you will begin working on today.