Get those brilliant ideas down on paper with this FREE Printable Goal Planning Worksheet! Edit it in Adobe Reader, then print it out every month.
In some ways, the New Year is even more fun to me than Christmas…and it could be because I’m a perpetual planner. I have ALL THE IDEAS and I love taking the time at the beginning of the year to fill out my FREE Printable Goal Planning Worksheet.
And I have some big news for you all! I redesigned all my most popular planners, and this one is totally my fave. I’ve included my brainstorming page for free, which you can download at the bottom of this post.
Need more planning pages? You can also get all the pages in my shop, along with the other new planners. I’ve got more coming your way, but the Family Planner is the best deal! Each planner comes in 6 bright colors, or you can get it in black and white.
My favorite thing about these planners is that they are editable in Adobe Reader. That means you can open the PDF in Adobe Reader, then print them out at home. I letter really pretty when I try, but I’m really messy when I write in my planner. I usually have to decode everything. This eliminates that problem because I just type it in!
I’ve included instructions for typing in Adobe, plus a link to the free font I use.
Goal Planning Tips
Goal planning is pretty easy, right? But carrying them out is a little tougher…so I’ve got some tips for you to keep the New Year momentum going!
Create Goals that are Obtainable
I totally think putting those crazy ideas into the universe can be beneficial…I even have a spot in my Printable Goal Planning Worksheet for those crazy big ideas…but there’s a fine line between dreaming big and dreaming SO big that you’ll never reach that goal. Having goals that aren’t obtainable can be demotivating. SO, dream big, but be realistic at the same time. Confusing, I know…
It’s one of the reasons you see more people at the gym at the beginning of the year, then it peters out in February (and I am totally one of those people, by the way…no judgment here). People create unrealistic goals of going to the gym every day, when maybe once or twice a week could be a more realistic start.
On the flip side…
Create a Goal that takes you out of your comfort zone
Working toward a goal should be a little uncomfortable, and will definitely be extra work. Starting an exercise plan is a great example…it will definitely be difficult to start with, but having a healthy lifestyle at the end of the year will make everything worth it!
Now that’s the kind of goal you should put in that crazy ambitious spot in your goal planning worksheet.
Create Goals that are measurable
For example, if you want to make a goal for social media, you would say…make a goal to get 100 new followers a month…as opposed to making a goal to have prettier pictures. Those pretty pictures may be a key to getting more followers, but you can’t really measure that goal.
Another example is making a goal to workout 3 times a week, as opposed to saying, “I want a healthier lifestyle.”
The reason we do this is to keep your goal momentum going. Super helpful.
Create Goals that will make a difference
You don’t have to solve world hunger to make a difference. For instance, even making enough money to take your kids on family vacations could make a difference. Giving your kids the chance to experience different cultures will make a big difference in the dynamics of your family and life lessons they’ll remember FOREVER.
Making health goals so you can have the energy to spend time with family and friends after a long work day…that can make a difference.
But if you want to solve world hunger, that’s good too. Just maybe reference tip #1 again 😉
Write Ideas Down RIGHT AWAY
This printable goal planning worksheet is super handy when you’re at a computer, but if you’re not…write it down on anything…a napkin, your hand…whatever…get that idea down before it leaves your mind forever. It could be difficult if you’re in the shower (it’s where I get ALL my good ideas)…maybe write it on the glass until you can get to paper! lol
Create an Action Plan
Goals are pretty useless unless you put them into action, right? They’ll be so much more attainable if you have an actual plan. So back to that healthy lifestyle goal…how are you going to get there?
Well, first you may need to throw out all the junk food, create a menu plan, start a simple workout goal, then you can start planning your next move after that. That upfront work of creating a plan will pay off in the long run.
And of course, in the end…you have to actually DO the plan and stick with it.
I can’t wait to see what the New Year holds for you..so tell me! What is one of your biggest GOALS this year?
April Creekmore says
Love it
Erin says
Thank you!
Melissa Doran says
thank you! Love this!
YVONNE says
LOVE IT. THANKS THE KIDS WILL LOVE THE COLORING PAGE.