When was the last time you went in for a goal checkup? Just like your physical health, you need an annual goal checkup to stay on track with your goal journey.
I went for my annual physical last week. I’ll be honest—between the pandemic and my doctor dropping patients it’s been several years since my last physical.
Not for a lack of trying—I spent hours searching for a doctor accepting new patients, but that’s a whole other story.
Thankfully, I really enjoy my new doctor. I actually prefer her to my old doctor. She explains things very well, answers questions, and listens to my concerns.
So why is it important to schedule an annual physical—and just as important, an annual goal checkup?
A lot can change in a year. It’s important for my doctor to see me regularly so she can assess my health, look for changes that might reveal something more serious, and chart a course for improving, or at least maintaining, my overall health.
When you don’t see a doctor regularly, you risk missing early warning signs and failing to take corrective action on important health issues.
Your productivity journey has more in common with your health than you might think. That’s why I encourage everyone to do an annual goal checkup—something I guide clients and members of the Wholistic Productivity community through each year.
A lot can change in a year. Some goals that once felt important may no longer be relevant. New opportunities may be waiting to be included in your overall vision, while you may be at risk for missing some goals altogether.
Check the Vital Signs of Your Goals
Just like at the doctor’s office, it’s important to check the vital signs of your goals. Ask yourself these questions to get some baseline information about your goals.
- Am I making measurable progress, even if it’s small?
- Do I still feel energized when I think about this goal, or does it feel like a chore?
- Has anything significant changed in my life that affects this goal’s relevance?
Answering these simple questions can provide a lot of insight into the current health of your goal journey.
Identify the Symptoms Blocking Your Progress
Next it’s time to look at the symptoms you may be experiencing that are holding you back from achieving your goals.
- What’s actually blocking my progress? (Be honest—is it circumstances or avoidance?)
- Am I procrastinating on this goal more than usual?
- Do I find myself making excuses or feeling guilty about this goal?
Understanding your symptoms helps you diagnose the bigger problem, so you know how to develop a treatment plan.
Test the Alignment Between Your Goals and Values
I talk often about the importance of aligning your goals with your values and the vision you have for your life. An annual goal checkup is perfect to ask yourself these questions about your goal alignment.
- If I achieved this goal tomorrow, would it still matter to me?
- Does this goal reflect who I am now, or who I thought I should be six months ago?
- Is this goal mine, or am I pursuing it for someone else?
Remember, goals that aren’t aligned with your values or vision may not be worth pursuing. Staying aligned is key to feeling satisfied and fulfilled.
Create a Treatment Plan for Stalled Goals
When there is a health concern, your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan to correct the issue. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to treat goals that have stalled out.
- What’s one small action I could take this week to move forward?
- Do I need to adjust my timeline or approach?
- Should this goal be modified, paused, or retired?
Treatment requires action. Just like you can’t think yourself to a healthier version of you, you have to do more than just plan your success. You have to take action.
Develop a Prevention Strategy to Stay on Track
We all know preventing setbacks is better trying to correct them. It’s time to stop playing defense and go on offense with your goal health with these questions.
- When will I check in on this goal again? (Schedule it like you would your next physical)
- Who can I share my progress with for accountability?
One way to stay accountable is by meeting with a productivity coach who can guide you along the way. I offer a free 20-minute strategy call to help you assess where you are in the process. Think of it as a quick check on your vitals.
If you want to go deeper but aren’t sure you’re ready for a full-time coaching program, I offer a one-time 60-minute coaching session designed to get you back to a healthy place with your goals. Think of it as your annual checkup with the doctor.
Your physical health is too important to let it slide, and I would say the health of your goals is just as important. Take charge of your goal journey today by booking a free strategy call or a goal health checkup.
If you want an ongoing accountability group to help you on your journey, join the Wholistic Productivity community on Skool. This free community has members from all around the world who are helping each other stay focused on their goals and remain productive in every area of life. I’d love to see you in Skool.