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/.

I shared how anyone can take steps toward better physical health in a sustainable way. And why we should be so concerned about doing so.

Additionally, I was asked how we could take simple steps towards better family relationships. That was like throwing steak to a dog—you know I love that subject!

I hope you enjoy this video. At the end, I give a link to some resources that will help you make better choices for better health this year.

Question: What has been a breakthrough choice of yours toward better health? Share your answer at https://kirbyandersen.com/2018/01/better-choices-for-better-health/.

That’s why this week I want to talk to you about: 8 Tips For Making Great Family Vacation Memories.

You don’t need a huge budget to make great vacation memories. Just a lot of togetherness and a few practical steps.

If you implement these simple tips, there’s a good chance your kids will want to continue vacationing together with you even after they’ve flown the coop.

Check out this video and updated blog post. You and your family deserve a great vacation!

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.

But the best dads are those who lead by example in giving. And one of the best gifts dads can give to their kids is their availability.

That’s what this week’s short video and blog post is all about: Creating A “Dad Link” For Your Kids.

Dad’s presence should create a sense of security. The problem is dads can’t always be physically present.

And, yet, a dad can make himself accessible virtually 24/7.

Check out this video and blog post and learn how to create a “Dad Link” and give your kids want they want most—access to 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!

Whether you have vast resources or not, the habits and values you instill in your child are what really makes the biggest difference.

I share 4 such habits I taught my kids in this week’s video and blog post, 4 Simple Habits To Get Promoted Faster Than Peers.

At the heart of these habits are 3 principles which life favors.

And it not only works for your child—these things will work for you as well!

Check out this video and updated blog post to help give your child a huge advantage in a highly competitive world.

Sign me up!

I’ll tell you how I do just that in this week’s video and blog post, Healthier Eating Made Simple—Really Simply!

You don’t need fancy recipes. And you certainly don’t want to spend any more time planning, shopping, and preparing for great meals than you have to.

If you’ve thought great nutrition and great taste has to be complicated, you’re going to love this video!

Take a few minutes to learn how you can improve your healthy simply—and maybe even love what you’re eating even more.

It’s more than cards and candy. And it works not just on Mother’s Day but every day of the year.

Check out this week’s video and blog post, The One Thing Moms Can Never Get Too Much Of.

The best ways to give Mom the encouragement she deserves boils down to two things—it’s all here in the video for this updated blog post. 

And if you want to bless a mom with some daily bursts of encouragement, check out this resource Gail created for busy moms.