How to Set and Achieve Goals using the 80/20 Rule

Did you know there are certain ingredients that make for successful goal setting and achieving? Knowing how to set and achieve goals is a skill I’ve been working on as a creative person since I’ve struggled with so much and couldn’t understand why.

A  goal, however, is something distinctly different from a wish. It is clear, written, and specific. It can be quickly and easily described to another person. You can measure it, and you know when you have achieved it or not.

Brian Tracy

Here’s what I’ve learned. There is a recipe and this is it. Welcome to the world of helping yourself get whatever you want.

Setting and achieving goals is an essential aspect of personal and professional growth. Here are some key aspects to consider when setting successful goals and achieving them:

The Steps to effective goal setting and achieving

Step 1: Define your goals

Start by clearly defining your goals. This means identifying what you want to achieve and why it’s important to you. The more specific you can be, the better. Use the SMART framework to make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Achieving goals is a science. There’s no confusion or ambiguity to it. If you follow a simple pattern, you can accomplish all of your goals, no matter how big they are. A fundamental aspect of that is writing them down and reviewing them every single day – Dr. Benjamin Hardy

This first step might be harder than you think. It might even require you to do some visualization exercises or to journal about your vision for your life/career etc.

Brian Tracy suggests several visualization exercises to help individuals identify what they want. Here are a few examples:

1. Ideal day visualization: Imagine your perfect day from start to finish. Visualize everything you do, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. What activities do you engage in? Who do you spend time with? What makes this day so perfect? This exercise can help you identify what you truly value and what you want more of in your life.
2. Vision board: Create a visual representation of your goals and dreams by making a vision board. This can include images, words, and phrases that represent what you want to achieve or the kind of life you want to live. Hang your vision board in a prominent place where you can see it every day, and use it as a reminder of what you’re working towards.
3. Future self-visualization: Imagine yourself in the future, having already achieved your goals and living your ideal life. Visualize every detail of this future version of yourself, including your career, relationships, and lifestyle. This exercise can help you identify what you want to achieve and motivate you to take action toward your goals.
4. Journaling: Write down your goals and aspirations in a journal. This can include short-term and long-term goals, as well as personal and professional aspirations. Write about why these goals are essential to you, and what steps you can take to achieve them. Regular journaling can help you clarify what you want and create a roadmap for achieving your goals.

Step 2: Break them down into smaller steps 

Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps that are easier to achieve. This will help you stay motivated and focused, and it will make it easier to measure your progress.

Think about these as micro-milestones. Bite-size tasks that are almost impossible to fail. 

Let’s say your creative goal is to write a novel. Here’s how you could break that goal down into smaller, more manageable micro milestones:

1. Research: Before you start writing your novel, you’ll need to do some research. Micromilestones for this stage might include reading books in your genre, conducting interviews, or visiting locations that are relevant to your story.
2. Planning: Once you’ve completed your research, you’ll need to plan your novel. Micromilestones for this stage might include creating an outline, developing characters, or creating a timeline.
3. Writing: With your research and planning complete, you’re ready to start writing your novel. Micromilestones for this stage might include writing a specific number of words per day, completing a chapter by a certain deadline, or writing for a certain amount of time each day.
4. Revising: After you’ve completed a first draft, you’ll need to revise and edit your work. Micromilestones for this stage might include revising a chapter each week, getting feedback from beta readers, or making specific edits based on feedback.
5. Publishing: Once your novel is complete, you’ll need to publish it. Micromilestones for this stage might include researching publishers, creating a marketing plan, or submitting your work to literary agents.

By breaking your goal down into these smaller micro milestones, you can track your progress and stay motivated as you work towards achieving your larger creative goal.

Step 3: Create a plan

Once you have defined your goals and broken them down into smaller steps, create a plan that outlines the specific actions you need to take to achieve your goals. This plan should include deadlines and milestones to help you stay on track.

You need to always know what the next step is. This will prevent you from losing momentum. I  get stuck when I don’t know what to do next and then it’s easy for me to just stop altogether. But if I know exactly what is next, I don’t need to pause too long.

It’s also important to include breaks/rest in your plan as well as turn down techniques which are basically just activities that you use to destress and reset.

Step 4: Visualize your success

Visualize yourself achieving your goals and how you will feel once you have accomplished them. This can help keep you motivated and focused on your end goal.

You could incorporate this into your meditation practice and there are some guided meditations on Youtube.

Step 5: Stay accountable

Share your goals with others and ask for their support and accountability. This can help you stay committed to your goals and stay on track when things get challenging.

I like asking one or two people who care about me enough, to be honest with me. These people should probably not work for you. They need to not fear angering you.

If you really want to be motivated (by not losing money as most of us are) go to https://gofuckingdoit.com/

Step 6: Track your progress

Keep track of your progress toward your goals. This will help you stay motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment as you complete each step.

Celebrate your successes: When you achieve a milestone or reach a goal, take time to celebrate your success. This will help keep you motivated and focused on your end goal.

Learn from your failures: Setbacks and failures are a normal part of any journey toward achieving goals. When things don’t go as planned, take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes and adjust your plan accordingly.

Try using Loop Habit Tracker

Step 7: Stay flexible

Be open to adjusting your goals and plan as you go along. Circumstances can change, and sometimes you may need to revise your plan to stay on track.

Step 8: Stay positive

Finally, maintain a positive mindset and believe in yourself. Setting and achieving goals takes time and effort, but with persistence and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Practice some kindness towards yourself and show some compassion. A very effective strategy is to practice speaking to yourself in a way you would if you were speaking to a friend or loved one. What would you say to them when they failed or feel uninspired or like giving up?

How can you use the Pareto principle to successfully set, plan and achieve goals

The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, suggests that roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. In the context of goal-setting, the Pareto principle can be applied in the following ways:

Identify the most important goals

Start by identifying the goals that will have the biggest impact on your life or work. Apply the 80/20 rule and focus on the 20% of your goals that will give you the greatest results. And then ignore ever

Prioritize your actions 

Once you have identified the most critical goals, prioritize the actions that will help you achieve them. Use the 80/20 rule to identify the 20% of actions that will give you the greatest results, and focus your time and energy on those actions.

Focus on high-impact tasks

When planning your day or week, focus on completing the tasks that will have the greatest impact on your goals. Prioritize your to-do list based on the 80/20 rule and tackle the most important tasks first.

Review your progress regularly

Regularly review your progress towards your goals and adjust your plan accordingly. Use the 80/20 rule to identify the areas where you are making the greatest progress, and focus on those areas to continue moving forward.

Here are some questions you could ask yourself to review your progress toward your goal:

1. What was my original goal, and have I made progress toward achieving it?
2. What specific actions have I taken toward achieving my goal? Have these actions been effective in helping me make progress?
3. What obstacles have I encountered along the way, and how have I overcome them?
4. Have I stayed on track with my timeline for achieving my goal, or have I fallen behind?
5. Have I encountered any unexpected opportunities or challenges that have impacted my progress toward my goal?
6. How has my mindset and attitude towards my goal evolved over time? Have I remained committed and motivated, or have I lost focus or become discouraged?
7. Have I received any feedback or support from others that has helped me make progress towards my goal?
8. What have been my biggest successes and accomplishments toward achieving my goal? What have been my biggest challenges or setbacks?
9. What adjustments or changes do I need to make to my plan in order to continue making progress toward my goal?
10. Am I still committed to achieving this goal, or do I need to reevaluate its importance and relevance to my current priorities and values?

By regularly reviewing your progress toward your goal and asking yourself these types of questions, you can identify areas where you need to make adjustments, celebrate your successes, and stay motivated and focused on achieving your goal

Stay flexible 

Remember to stay flexible and adjust your goals and plan as needed. Applying the 80/20 rule can help you identify the areas where you need to focus your efforts, but it’s important to remain open to adjusting your plan based on new information or changing circumstances.

By applying the principles of the Pareto principle to goal-setting, you can focus your time and energy on the actions that will have the greatest impact, and achieve your goals more efficiently and effectively.

Use your review process to determine if and how you should pivot.

Focus is not about how well you concentrate on the task at hand but rather what you say no to and what you ignore.

Where to find inspiration for creative goal-setting

Brian Tracy, author of Goals! suggests several visualization exercises to help you identify what you want. Here are a few examples:

• Ideal day visualization: Imagine your perfect day from start to finish. Visualize everything you do, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. What activities do you engage in? Who do you spend time with? What makes this day so perfect? This exercise can help you identify what you truly value and what you want more of in your life.
• Vision board: Create a visual representation of your goals and dreams by making a vision board. This can include images, words, and phrases that represent what you want to achieve or the kind of life you want to live. Hang your vision board in a prominent place where you can see it every day, and use it as a reminder of what you’re working towards.
• Future self-visualization: Imagine yourself in the future, having already achieved your goals and living your ideal life. Visualize every detail of this future version of yourself, including your career, relationships, and lifestyle. This exercise can help you identify what you want to achieve and motivate you to take action toward your goals.
• Journaling: Write down your goals and aspirations in a journal. This can include short-term and long-term goals, as well as personal and professional aspirations. Write about why these goals are essential to you, and what steps you can take to achieve them. Regular journaling can help you clarify what you want and create a roadmap for achieving your goals.

Here are some questions you could ask yourself to help identify your highest-value goals:

1. What do I truly enjoy doing? What activities or hobbies bring me the most joy and fulfillment?
2. What am I naturally good at? What are my strengths and talents?
3. What are my core values? What principles or beliefs are most important to me?
4. What are my biggest aspirations? What do I dream of achieving or experiencing in my life?
5. What would I do if I had unlimited time and resources? How would I spend my days?
6. What problems or issues do I feel passionate about solving? What causes do I care deeply about?
7. What are my biggest fears or concerns about my future? What would I regret not doing or achieving in my life?
8. Who are the people I most admire, and why? What qualities or accomplishments do they possess that I aspire to emulate?
9. What are my top priorities in life? What matters most to me right now?
10. What do I want my legacy to be? What impact do I want to have on the world or the people around me?

These questions can help you reflect on your values, passions, and aspirations, and identify goals that align with your highest priorities. By setting goals that are truly meaningful to you, you are more likely to stay motivated and committed to achieving them.

The Importance of Tracking progress toward creative goals

#1 Provides motivation 

Tracking progress toward creative goals can provide motivation to keep going, especially during times when you may feel discouraged or stuck. When you see that you’re making progress, it can help you stay motivated and committed to achieving your goals.

#2 Helps with focus 

Tracking progress can help you stay focused on what’s important. By identifying what’s working and what’s not, you can adjust your approach and stay on track toward achieving your creative goals.

#3 Measures success

Tracking progress helps you measure success and celebrate milestones. This can be a great way to stay motivated and build confidence in your abilities.

#4 Provides feedback

By tracking progress towards creative goals, you can gather feedback on your work and use it to improve your skills and approach. This feedback can come from peers, mentors, or even yourself as you reflect on your progress.

#5 Helps with planning

Tracking progress toward creative goals can also help with planning for future projects. By understanding what worked well and what didn’t, you can make more informed decisions about how to approach future projects and set goals that are realistic and achievable.

Overall, tracking progress toward creative goals is an essential part of achieving success. It helps you stay motivated, focused, and informed and can lead to greater satisfaction and accomplishment in your creative pursuits.

7 Reasons your goal failed and How to Avoid It in the Future

1. Setting vague or unrealistic goals: When people set vague or unrealistic goals, it becomes difficult to achieve them. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

According to Jon Acuff, there is a sweet spot when setting goals. You need to be excited but not overwhelmed or bored by the idea of the goal. 

2. Focusing only on the end goal: It is essential to focus on the process and not just on the end goal. People often get overwhelmed by the enormity of the goal and fail to take small steps that will lead to success.

3. Not having a plan: Without a plan or a roadmap, it is easy to lose sight of the goal. People need to have a concrete plan that outlines the steps required to achieve the goal.

4. Lack of commitment: Many people set goals but lack the commitment to follow through with them. It is crucial to stay committed to the goal and take action consistently. Remind yourself of your WHY. Why did you want to achieve the goal in the first place?

5. Lack of accountability: People often fail to hold themselves accountable for their actions. It can be helpful to have an accountability partner or join a support group to stay on track.

6. Not celebrating small wins: Celebrating small wins can provide the motivation and momentum to keep going. People who fail to recognize their progress often lose motivation and give up on their goals.

7. Allowing setbacks to derail progress: Setbacks are a natural part of the goal-setting process. People who allow setbacks to discourage them are more likely to give up on their goals. It is essential to learn from setbacks and keep moving forward.

This is the first lie that perfectionism tells you about goals: Quit if it isn’t perfect.

Jon Acuff – Finish

Here are some questions you could ask yourself to determine where you went wrong:

1. Did I set a specific and measurable goal? Was it realistic given my circumstances and resources?
2. Did I have a clear plan and timeline for achieving my goal? Did I break down the goal into smaller steps or milestones?
3. Did I take consistent action toward achieving my goal? Did I prioritize my goal and make time for it?
4. Did I encounter unexpected obstacles or challenges that prevented me from making progress toward my goal?
5. Did I have the necessary skills or knowledge to achieve my goal? Did I seek out resources or support when I needed it?
6. Did I stay motivated and committed to my goal, or did I lose focus or become discouraged?
7. Did I measure my progress regularly and make adjustments to my plan as needed?
8. Did I hold myself accountable for achieving my goal? Did I take responsibility for my actions and decisions?
9. Did I have a support system or accountability partner to help me stay on track toward my goal?
10. Did I learn from my mistakes and failures, and use them as opportunities for growth and improvement?

By reflecting on these questions, you can identify the specific areas where you may have gone wrong or encountered challenges in achieving your goal. Use this information to adjust your approach and set yourself up for success in future goal-setting and achievement efforts.

Goal-oriented vs. process-oriented creative work: finding the right balance

Goal-oriented and process-oriented creative work are two approaches that individuals can take when pursuing their creative pursuits. I want to discuss the differences between these two approaches and how to find the right balance between them.

Goal-oriented creative work involves setting specific goals and working towards achieving them. This approach is focused on the end result and often involves a high level of planning and organization. The emphasis is on achieving the desired outcome, and success is measured by the attainment of the goal.

Process-oriented creative work, on the other hand, is more focused on the creative process itself. This approach is less concerned with the end result and more focused on the experience of creating. The emphasis is on enjoying the journey, exploring new ideas, and experimenting with different approaches.

Finding the right balance between these two approaches is essential for creative success. Too much focus on the end result can lead to feelings of disappointment or failure if the goal is not achieved. On the other hand, too much focus on the process can lead to a lack of direction and a failure to produce any tangible results.

To find the right balance, it’s important to start by setting clear goals that are achievable and realistic. This will provide a sense of direction and purpose but also allow for the flexibility to explore new ideas and experiment with different approaches.

It’s also important to embrace the creative process and enjoy the journey. This means being open to new ideas, experimenting with different techniques, and not being afraid to take risks or make mistakes.

Regularly reflecting on your progress and adjusting your approach as needed is also important. This allows you to stay on track toward your goals while also staying open to new opportunities and ideas.

Ultimately, the key to finding the right balance between goal-oriented and process-oriented creative work is to approach each project with a clear sense of purpose and direction while also remaining open to new ideas and embracing the creative process. By doing so, you can achieve creative success while also enjoying the journey.

Go forth and conquer your goals!