Six-Week Goals and How to Work Them
Jan 04, 2020It's that time of the year again, when the collective is focused on setting Annual Goals.
According to Forbes and Inc. only 8% of people actually accomplish their New Years Resolutions and around 80% lose their resolve by mid-February. So why do we keep doing this!?
It's with good intention and the desire to create change in our life!
As a coach, I am here to tell you that change is possible and it is possible for you!
It's a matter of playing around with what system/process works for you. I have a few other posts on goals and intentions here, and here, and here.
I was recently listening to a podcast with Basecamp CEO Jason Fried and he was talking about six-week goals. As a Manifesting Generator in Human Design, this concept resonated with me - I can get sidetracked by the next shiny object.
What if I focus my attention on six-week chunks. What can I do in six weeks?
You know that saying (from Bill Gates)?
Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.
I feel like I haven't quite figured out what is possible in one year, or, if I'm being honest, what I can focus on and hold as relevant for one year! And I'm pretty sure it isn't just me.
What are six-week goals?
They're just that, goals and actions that you can complete within six weeks.
They can be part of a larger goal/vision/intention or they can be stand alone.
How to set up six-week goals?
When I set up my 2020 six-week goals, they weren't necessarily parts of a bigger goal; however, you can set them up either as stand-alones or as part of a bigger goal.
- (Optional) What is your over-arching goal/vision for a longer period, for example one year?
- What is your grand vision/focus?
- Break down your timeline (year) into six-week chunks - I did this using the Wunderlist app on my phone.
- December 29 - February 8; February 9 - March 21; March 22 - May 2; etc
- (Optional) What is your overall theme/intention for that six-week chunk?
- A few of mine are soul reminders and mantras like: "It's my job to anchor light on Earth", and "Is this serving me?"
- Write out a list of the actions you will be accomplishing during that six-week period.
- As an example, for December 11 - January 26 my bigger goal was to complete my PN Level 1 Health Coach Certification. Completing one chapter per week was reasonable for me so I wrote out each chapter in my list for this period - every time I complete a chapter, I get a dopamine hit by checking it off my list.
- As new ideas come up, decide what priority they have and adjust your six-week lists accordingly.
- This is the key! Instead of getting side-tracked by something new and exciting, I remain focused on my current six-week goals and actions.
- When something new comes up, decide if it can be added to your current six-weeks, if something else gets pushed out so this new thing takes priority, or if the new thing gets pushed out to a following six-week period.
- Keep your list front-and-centre in your life and check in daily/weekly.
Reflect on what works for you when creating lasting, sustainable change in your life. Your life is important and you matter. You showing up as your brightest, most expressed version of you is needed in this world. You are here for a reason and that reason is important.
If this works for you, use this tool to help you create change so that you can show up and life the life your soul wants you to live!