Organizing Tips

Start the New Year Off with a Written Goal

Did you know that writing down your goals and scheduling time to work on them is one of the most sure ways to achieve them?

  1. Write down your goal.
  2. Write down all of the tasks required to achieve your goal.
  3. Pick one of these tasks and schedule it on your calendar, just like you would a doctor's appointment. When you've done it, cross it off the list, then schedule and start the next task.
  4. Make progress toward your goal every day, week and month and you will eventually achieve it.

A study of Harvard graduates, ten years after graduation, found that only 3% had written goals, 13% had verbal goals, and the remaining 84% had no written or verbal goals. The graduates with verbal goals were earning twice that of those with no verbal or written goals. But those with written goals were earning ten times as much.

One of the best things you can do (next to writing down your goals) is to have someone hold you accountable. Show your written goals to a friend or family member and ask him or her to check in with you on a regular basis. You will be more inclined to stick with your plan if you know that someone will be asking you about your progress.


Strive to make progress, not perfection for success.