I’ve been speaking and coaching a lot the last few weeks on the subject of goal-setting. Most are acquainted with goal-setting and do so in some fashion around New Year’s. Yet the reality is very few see any long-term, sustainable change.

Does that mean goal-setting isn’t really all the helpful? No—it’s just that most don’t have a system for reviewing their goals and tracking progress regularly.

Setting the target is primary. Yet it will remain a lofty goal on paper only unless you have a specific, sustainable action plan and system for review.

Your Daily Journal

I’ve been keeping a journal for several decades. I haven’t always made daily entries and what I’ve written has changed over the years. But the one benefit that has remained steady has been in gaining insight for my personal growth as I’m able to review regularly throughout the year.

You may have also kept a journal of sorts. Yet I haven’t heard many speak of it in the context of goal-setting. As I’ve reviewed my goal-setting process this year, I decided to leverage the power of my daily journal to making it a greater asset in helping me hit my targets for this year.

If you’ve never kept a journal, start. Today. Don’t over-think it. Just build a daily habit—I make it part of my morning routine—where you at least record the notables of yesterday. You don’t have to record everything that happened. Just the things that were significant to you and how you felt about them.

For years, I’ve followed Bill Hybels’ recommendation to write no more than one page each morning, beginning each post with the word, “Yesterday…”. After journaling the notables of yesterday, I write a short prayer and read it.

Ramping Up Your Daily Journal

This year, I’ve gone further and added a bit more structure to my journal. I know that my success at attaining my yearly goals is dependent upon staying focused and having a system whereby I track and review my progress. It builds motivation and helps me adapt along the way.

So, I’ve established the following sections to guide my daily journal entries:

1. Yesterday…As I said, I believe in the power of reviewing the previous day. Socrates stated hundreds of years ago, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Self-examination is essential for personal growth.
2. Notable events. I simply highlight those things that happened yesterday that I consider significant in some way.
3. Mood. Our attitude is so important in our performance and how we relate with others. I don’t always feel like I’d like to feel, so I am constantly learning how my moods may fluctuate and why.
4. Accomplishments. This is where I record tasks that work toward my weekly, 90 day, and ultimately yearly goals. It keeps me focused, motivated by celebrating every victory no matter how small, and provides a record I can review throughout the year.
5. Things to improve upon. I don’t do everything perfectly, do you?! No. We are works in progress. Making continual improvement every day is a habit I want to maintain. So, I try to learn from my mistakes daily by giving them a little consideration so that I’ll be better prepared the next time.
6. Insights and ideas. I have what seem to be great ideas all the time. I capture these and in my weekly and monthly reviews, I can give them more thought to see what action, if any, I should take.
7. Essential questions. This is a list of 5-6 questions I ask myself each day for personal accountability. Each has a checkbox. If I can’t check it off, I add a note explaining why not. These are in regard to critical habits I’m forming to help me become the person I want to become this year. They are also good questions to allow a close friend to ask you regularly.
8. What should I stop doing that another could do? I’m constantly trying to find more time to help others in ways I’m good at. One way to do that is to enlist the help of others to do certain tasks that I may be doing but could be done better by another.
9. “Father,…” I finish with a short prayer, thanking God for the progress of yesterday, asking for forgiveness for my shortcomings, and His help in taking steps forward today.

These section titles aren’t absolutes. They are simply what I’m using now to help me stay focused daily and refer to each week as I examine the past week and plan for the next. Make changes as would best work for you. But take the step and start journaling today or step it up to make the process even better.

UPDATE: Your daily journal is one step of my video course, 5 Steps To Becoming A Better You This Year!. I’ll walk you through step-by-step with simple worksheets. Become the person you truly want to be—and were created to be—simply and sustainably!

Question: How do you use your journal to move you forward? Share your answer at https://kirbyandersen.com/2019/02/your-daily-journal/.

Life can be so good. Yet, it is fragile. We can’t always predict the future, but we can make the most of today.

That’s what this week’s blog post is all about: 3 Ways To Avoid Regrets In Life. It’s actually a repost but I felt compelled to share it again.

My sons and daughters have commented quite a bit since we lost Aimee about living with no regrets. Making sure we keep the air cleared. Saying regularly how much we love and appreciate each other.

Not living in fear, but seizing the moment to do the seemingly little things that prove to be big things later.

Check out this blog post. Aimee inspired all who knew her to live and love each day more fully. I hope this post does the same for you.

It’s actually good news because it means you can do something to reduce your stress!

That’s what this short video and updated blog post is all about: Alleviate Unnecessary Stress By Building Margin.

Most of the unnecessary, avoidable stress in our everyday lives boils down to one of 3 things.

And the solution is the same for all—and it’s not that difficult.

Check out this video and blog post and learn how to live with less stress beginning today!

We all yearn for financial freedom yet is seems so elusive—at least a long ways off.

That’s why I want to share 5 things Gail and I have found extremely helpful in moving toward financial freedom and peace. It’s in this week’s short video and blog post, How To Experience Financial Freedom Sooner Than Later.

If you have felt like there isn’t much you can do in your current financial state to move forward, I understand.

Yet you don’t have to be a victim. You can always take charge and dramatic action. We did—and we’re so glad we did!

Check out this video and updated blog post and take a step closer toward your financial freedom and peace!

Often it’s because we don’t take time to sharpen the axe.

I explain this ancient piece of wisdom in this week’s video and blog post, Making Time To Sharpen The Axe.

Do yourself a favor—take a few minutes to watch this video. You may discover that you’ve been chopping with a very dull axe. And you deserve better.

Click here to watch the video for this updated blog post. 

Staying sharp isn’t hard but it will take a deliberate effort. Hope this makes a big difference in your life!

Having instant access with those closest to you is a wonderful thing. But you gotta admit it—the noise of all those notifications can become mind-numbing.

I get it. That’s why this week’s video and blog post is about Keeping Yourself Available—Just Not 24/7.

You’ll learn several simple ways to take control of all those seemingly urgent rings, dings, buzzers, and alarms.

You really can build great relationships both personally and professionally without giving away total control of your time and focus.

Click here to watch the video for this updated blog post. 

Take some action today and enjoy greater productivity and peace—and stay on target!

Case in point—I’d underestimated the power of my daily journal. I tweaked how I was using it and what a difference it made! It’s no longer just a tool to record the past—it’s now moving me forward to a better me.

I explain it all in this week’s video…Why A Daily Journal May Be Your Greatest Goal-Setting Asset This Year.

A few well-devised sections helps me track progress, keeps me focused on what’s really important, and helps me plan for continued progress.

A few tweaks to the structure and a few minutes each day moves me forward faster—and I’m convinced it will do the same for you.

Check out the video for this updated blog post and let me know how you like it!

It’s the power of choice.

Too many are living a life far below their potential and dreams. That’s why this week’s video is all about…

Your First Action Step Toward The Life You Want.

I got myself all jazzed up recording this video—this stuff is so good!!!

And I actually woke up that morning just not feeling it—in fact, I had to flex my own “choose muscle” to rise above my feelings.

PLEASE! For your own good, watch the video from this updated blog. And choose this week to live better, love more, and leave the legacy you desire!

And how you start your day is mainly a matter of choice.

I don’t leave my morning start to chance—and you don’t have to either. This week’s video, Start Your Day Alive, Alert, Awake, Enthusiastic!, will help you get a good start everyday.

In this updated video and blog post, I discuss 9 tips to start your day revved up. You’ll learn…

• How to program your mind for a better start.
• How to win the battle of the mattress.
• Why the first words out of your mouth are so important.
• 3 different uses of water to rev you up!

You can’t control everything that happens in a day—but you can control how your day starts.

So make every day this week a better day by starting enthusiastically!

But I and other highly productive people have become believers. That’s why I’m urging you to watch this video, The One List You Should Make Every Day.

You probably make plenty of lists already. But I’ll share with you a key step that you may be missing. And it’s the reason why just making a to-do list won’t guarantee that you’ll get the most important things done.

I double dog dare you—put this simple technique to the test. You’re going to love me for this. Check out this updated video and blog post.

Here’s to better days for you—stay on target!