How to Create a Push Goal

Yesterday I answered the question: “What is a Push Goal?” If you like this way of setting goals, use these tips on how to create a Push Goal for yourself.

Creating a list of goals is easy. Knowing where to start on that list of goals is the hard part. Some people start with the easiest item hoping that completing it will build momentum. Others start by tackling the first item on the list without thinking if it is the most important item. Some people try to work on everything at once…and quickly burn out. So if none of these strategies are effective, how should you tackle your list of goals?

How to Create a Push Goal

I know this is going to sound crazy, but a Push Goal is the last goal you set, even though it is the first thing you work on.

Download our Printable Push Goal Planner or pull out some paper and a pencil.

1. First, choose a timeframe for your goals. Are you setting goals for the next year or for a different time period? Write the time period down. Now think about what you want to accomplish by the end of that time period and what it will take for you to do that.
2. Now make a list of your goals. It can be as few as 3 or as many as 10. I don’t recommend making more than 10 goals.
3. Review each goal one at a time, think about what you need to do to achieve that goal. Write the things you need to do to achieve your goal down in the order you think they should be accomplished. Repeat with the rest of your goals.
4. Look at the lists of things you need to do to accomplish all of your goals? Do you see a common thread? Does an action stand out that will help you achieve all or most of your goals?
5. If you see something that is crucial or foundational to many of your goals, you may have found your Push Goal or you may have found what your push goal needs to achieve to help you with all of your other goals.

How do you know if you have a good Push Goal?

Most goals require money, more time, a new skill, or more discipline. What do you need to achieve most of your goals? Now create a goal to help you get more of what you need to accomplish your list of goals. That is your Push Goal.

A good Push Goal is the key to helping you acquire what you need to achieve the rest of your goals.

And before you think that you have to create a new goal as your Push Goal, review your list. You may have an item on there that can serve as your push goal. For instance, one year many of my goals required more time to accomplish, but one of my goals was to “watch less T.V.” I made my Push Goal to cancel cable and only watch a rented movie once a week. The main part of the goal was accomplished in 15 minutes, but wow was it impactful! It freed up a couple of hours every day and I started knocking out all the other goals in record time.

A push goal doesn’t always have to be hard or time-consuming, but it has to help you further your other goals by providing you with something essential to achieving them.

You should keep track of your Push Goal as well as your other goals. You can do this by adding a spot in your current planner or by getting a dedicated Push Goal Planner or Push Journal.

Need more help with achieving your goals? Get our FREE Goal-Getting and Habit Stacking Guide with Printable  Monthly Habit Trackers. You can also join our private Facebook Group Just Take Small Bites where we are tackling our goals one small bite at a time.