We’ve had several conversations on this blog about goal setting, the importance of writing your goals down and breaking those goals into quarterly/monthly/weekly/daily tasks.
We’ve also talked about ‘checking off’ those daily tasks and crossing items off ToDo lists.
And while I love crossing items off a list, or putting a check next to a “big goal”, I’ve found great value in other visuals, too.
For instance, for exercise – I give myself a star or a smiley face or a “great job” sticker on a day that I have at least 30 minutes of exercise. I have 12 small months taped to a kitchen door, so I can easily see how many days I’ve exercised throughout the year whenever I want. It’s quite inspiring.
Race bibs from 2012
Last year, I completed 2 races – a 5K and a triathlon. I tacked the race bibs to my bulletin board (as well as giving myself those stickies for exercising those days!)
I stopped exercising all together after the triathlon since I didn’t have any other races in mind. At year’s end, I knew I had to make 2013 better.
I decided that if I had (about) a race a month, I’d have to keep moving. My goal is to complete at least 12 races. (I’m new to running, so don’t feel I need to win, place, or show — just complete a race and focus on improving.)
Race bibs from 2013
This year, to date, I’ve completed 11 races, including a triathlon and a 5K obstacle course. When I look at the wall of all my bibs, I can’t help but smile, be proud of myself, and be motivated to keep exercising so my next race will be even better.
I’m currently registered for 2 more races, so will hit 13 total. I’m not superstitious about ’13’ at all, but I may try for 14.
1-Mile Pace listed on index card
Another visual I have is an index card list of my “1-mile pace” numbers. I had my fastest pace yesterday!
Visuals make an impression!
I’m absolutely motivated to increase my fitness goals for next year.
For writing goals, I tape up class certificates, awards, as well as kudo notes and emails. And I track business/income submissions on green index cards, so at a glance at my corkboard I know how many projects I’ve completed that have generated income.
Posting visuals of any achievement is a great idea. Remember having grade school papers put on the refrigerator door? First drawings being proudly displayed on some wall in the house? How about those pencil marks on a door jam that showed how much we grew in a year? Did they motivate you to do more? Weren’t you curious to see how far/tall you could grow? (How far can you grow now as a writer?)
Let your inner child out a bit.
Show off your accomplishments, even if only to yourself — every time you look at the wall where you’ve taped them, hung them, pinned them, or trapped them with a magnet – you’ll smile and feel proud.
Good idea?
Lisa J. Jackson is an independent writer and editor who enjoys working with businesses of all sizes. She loves writing about NH people, places, and activities. She writes fiction as Lisa Haselton, has an award-winning blog for book reviews and author interviews, and is on the staff of The Writer’s Chatroom where she gets to network with writing professionals on a weekly basis. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Live to Write - Write to Live 
This is a cool idea. I’m going to start doing that. Thanks for the idea….I love this post.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it!
I really do. It’s an unique idea
Reblogged this on BulgingButtons and commented:
This is so simple and in many ways so obvious, but how many of us do this? Read on for Lisa Jackson’s brilliantly written advice on ways to stay motivated.
That’s truly inspiring. I always write down my goals on a notebook but nothing works out with me, I forget about them and tend to be lazy enough to ignore them. But your idea is creative, to use the walls in our house, refrigerator and every area that would encourage me and keep me motivated.
Thanks for your idea, it’s inspiring. 🙂
Exactly! I write things down too, and can easily forget them, or cover them over. I also put up photos that relate to the accomplishments, too, such as, me at the finish line of a race to help me remember the feeling I had at that moment. 🙂
Love this idea. Visuals are fantastic help. There’s something about seeing that gold star or smiley face, or seeing evidence of your accomplishment that definitely makes you want to keep going or set a new goal. I haven’t don’t anything like this in a while, and it makes me want to get to it again.
I’m thinking a calendar for the year for posting stars would be great. I might also incorporate not only stars or smileys for exercise, but also for when I submit some of my writing for publication and/or when I receive an acceptance. I’ll have to get a variety of stickers for that purpose.
I’m like you, I use star stickers.
Isn’t there just something about a gold star? I have various sizes too – use the big ones on the dates I run races, medium ones for a particularly extra good day, and regular ones for most exercise days.
Mine only come in blue, gold, red, and green!
ooh, hit up a Walmart or something, there are stars with glitter, and that are shiny, and all sorts of varieties. 🙂
Haha, I must have went down the wrong aisle.
I have a variety of stickers, too, Andrea. I find them much more inspiring than a check mark or line-through-a-task. The stickers definitely work (for me) regarding writing goals. Bar charts work well too — filling up a graph as words are written to get to a total by a certain date.
I’m glad you liked the post. Thanks for commenting.
I love how you talk about your workout goals. I so need to get back into running. Was hoping to run a mini-marathon this year, but it’s now in the plans for next year. I think writing is so much like running a marathon. Great post!
Kylie – you’ve hit on something I’ve been doing all year — comparing my writing goals to my running ones. There are numerous similarities and metaphors to use!
Lisa, same here. I was actually thinking of making a star sticker reward chart for my running too. It’s the same how we strive to commit and then fail. I had a blog drafted comparing the two but never finished it. Might try to finish it one of these days.
I hope you finish the post! It’s a writing goal and deserves a checkmark at least 🙂
Gold star!
Hee hee. Thanks!
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I love your wall of bibs! Very cool.
thank you! 🙂
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