Are you one of those people who set realistic goals? If so, you’ve probably had one of those months when everything is totally awesome. And as you get closer and closer to your goals… BOOM! In an instant, everything turns into to poop…

Even if you work to set realistic goals, your reality can change in a heartbeat. Life has a way of knocking you down. The good news is, you’re not alone. And with a little planning, you can re-set realistic goals and get back on track!

How To Set Realistic Goals

Over the last year a lot has happened in my life. I lost a consulting gig, moved across town, started a new consulting gig, got engaged, planned a wedding, got married, went on a honeymoon and came back to a gazillion unfinished items on my task list…

While each reason is valid, it doesn’t change the fact that I blew rather important self-imposed deadlines. To correct course, I have altered my schedule and had to “set realistic goals” multiple times to accommodate. In the process, I learned some lessons about how to stay the course and get things done!

If you’re looking to set realistic goals, it’s important to give yourself a reasonable timeline. Then break small goals into manageable chunks. You will also want to give yourself some leeway just in case your projects take longer than expected.

1. Dry Erase Board: I love adding long term goals to my dry erase board. This serves as a constant reminder for tasks that are still pending. I set it up so I can stare at it daily. With this said, I only add ONE major goal per week. Then I break the goal into smaller, daily tasks.

2. Daily planner: Yeah. I know what you’re thinking. Where is your computer? I use that too. But having a daily planer really helps me break down my smaller tasks into half-hour steps. I love the feeling of crossing something off the list. If your budget allows, grab a Molskine Planner.

3. Half-hour Glass: If you thought my daily planner was old school, wait until you start using a half-hour glass! Using this has helped me break my tasks into half-hour chunks and serves as an animated accountability partner, consistently reminding me the time keeps on ticking…

Even with the best tools, your projects won’t finish on their own. So make sure you take time to set realistic goals that are actually realistic! And if you blow your tasks today, continue tomorrow.