Setting Achievable Goals with Journalling: A Personal Journey with The Papery

Setting Achievable Goals with Journalling: A Personal Journey with The Papery

Hello, fellow journalling enthusiasts!

I’ve always believed in the power of setting goals and the magic of putting pen to paper. It wasn’t until I started working at The Papery that I truly started to embrace the journey of goal-setting through journalling. The beautiful, high-quality journals and stationery have become essential to my daily routine, turning my goal-setting practice into a cherished ritual. Today, I’d like to share my journey with you and how you can set achievable goals using journalling, with a little help from The Papery.

Defining My Goals

When I first began, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of things I wanted to achieve, from improving my fitness skills, the list was long and daunting. I sat down with my journal and started writing everything down. Seeing my goals in black and white made them feel more tangible. I realised that clarity was the first step to success. Instead of vague aspirations like "get fit," I wrote down specific targets like "run 5 kilometres without stopping."

Breaking Down Goals

With my goals clearly defined, I needed to break them down into manageable tasks. This is where my love for stationery truly shines. I used sticky notes and stickers to create mini-goals and action steps. For example, my goal of improving my fitness was divided into smaller tasks like "run three times a week" and "incorporate Pilates strength training every day." Each task had a deadline, and seeing them on colourful sticky notes made the process less intimidating and more fun.

Another goal was to complete a 21-kilometer mountain trail run (I still need to achieve this goal, but I will share my journey). This large goal was broken down into smaller, achievable tasks like "follow a structured training plan," "increase long runs by 1 kilometer each week," and "incorporate hill training twice a week." Using my Premium Flexi dotted journal, I scheduled these tasks throughout my week, ensuring a balanced and manageable workload.

Using SMART Criteria

To ensure my goals are realistic, I use the SMART goals criteria:

• Specific: I write down exactly what I want to achieve.
• Measurable: Track my progress in my journal.
• Achievable: Set goals that are challenging yet realistic.
• Relevant: Ensure my goals are aligned with my values and long-term plans.
• Time-bound: Give myself deadlines to stay on track.

Here is a great blog giving ten smart goals for your life and more information to set SMART goals.

Creating a Goal Journal

Choosing the right journal is crucial, and The Papery offers a range of beautiful options. I picked one that felt just right flexible, elegant, and with plenty of space for my thoughts. Each day, I dedicate time to write about my progress, celebrate my wins, and reflect on my challenges. The act of writing helps me stay grounded and focused.

Staying Motivated

On days when motivation is low, I turn to visualisation. I write about how achieving my goals will feel and look. I also make it a point to celebrate small milestones with little rewards – a new set of pens, stationery accessories, or even a new journal!

Being Flexible

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, my plans need adjusting. My journal entries include reflections on setbacks and how to navigate them. I’ve learned to be kind to myself and see each challenge as a learning opportunity. The flexibility of my journal pages allows me to rearrange and reorganise without losing sight of my goals.

Personal Entries

Here’s a peek into my journal entries:

Daily Log: “Today, I completed my 5km run in 40 minutes. It was challenging, but using the interval training plan I found helped. The new Papery highlighters made tracking my progress so enjoyable!”

Weekly Reflection: “This week, I made good progress on my mountain trail run goal by sticking to my training plan. I struggled with the hill training, so next week, I’ll try a different route and adjust my pace accordingly.”

Monthly Review: “In April, I achieved my goal of running 5km in under 40 minutes. I noticed that running in the mornings works best for me. For May, I’ll focus on increasing my long runs and maintaining my strength training sessions.”

Conclusion

Journalling has transformed my goal-setting process into a delightful and effective practice. It’s not just about achieving goals; it’s about enjoying the journey, reflecting on progress, and celebrating every step along the way. If you’re looking to set achievable goals and make the process enjoyable, I highly recommend exploring The Papery’s beautiful range of journals and stationery. They’ve been a game-changer for me, and I’m sure they will be for you too.

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with goal-setting and journaling. Let’s inspire each other to reach new heights!

Happy journaling!