This article looks at lifelong goal setting habits and how the Grid goal setting method can help you overcome home and workplace struggles and a loss of momentum.

The step-up from education, training or internship into that first, ‘proper’ job role is steep.

Not only are you wrestling with the demands of your position, but the environment itself is very different. Before, you were surrounded by people all sharing the same experience. People at the same stage as you, going through the same thing at the same time. Now, that’s no longer the case. As well as navigating workplace politics, you are also dealing with the cacophony of different temperaments and personalities. Co-workers at different ages and different stages of their lives and careers.

Add to the mix the pressure of other adult responsibilities like homeownership, money management, a long-term relationship, marriage, and children. Even the expectation of taking up such responsibilities can trigger feelings of overwhelm.

Little wonder so many of us feel disillusioned or unprepared for this stage of life despite having prepared for it for so long.

With stress and anxiety bearing down and confidence waning, scaling back your ambitions may feel like your only option to make things manageable. But it’s entirely possible to reset and achieve balance without settling for less.

An old habit is the key: goal setting.

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Why get into the habit of setting goals?

When was the last time you set a proper goal and followed it through?

If it was some time ago, you aren’t alone.

When we’re young, we’re vivacious goal-setters always wanting to go bigger, further or faster. But, as we get older – and especially after achieving those big goals like a career, owning a home, getting married – we stop. Or if we do continue, we start but don’t finish.

While not necessarily a conscious choice, it’s nonetheless noticeable and can manifest in different ways, from a loss of momentum to crippling indecision. And, when not focused on moving forward, attention can shift to the past or dwelling on the minutiae of daily life.

Setting goals and making it a life-long habit is, therefore, something to prioritise.

How to set goals for a new stage of life

Perhaps you find setting goals relatively easy but struggle to commit to and follow them through. Or, maybe you find the whole idea of goal setting difficult and avoid it altogether. It’s even possible to resonate with and have experienced both at different times in your life.

And little wonder…

A single, long list of goals can feel overwhelming, while different lists for setting goals in different areas of your life can feel uncoordinated and leave you confused as to what action to take.

Moreover, while a list of goals may identify your desires, it offers little context – specifically, no methodical way to action them.

On the other hand, a holistic method can, and we have created one: it’s called gridding.

The Grid™ goal setting method

The Grid™ method uses a 2×2 quadrant framework to organize what you’re already doing in a way that leaves room to respond and accommodate change as well as room to grow.

The four quadrants (life, self-care, work and career) can help you organize current activities as well as goals. In addition, a clustering technique is used to organize each quadrant to create action pathways connecting individual goals to tasks and activities. Grid™ can be applied across varying timelines – a year, a month, a week, a day. So, once learned, it remains ever relevant and always useful.

A holistic answer to goal setting and so much more!

Deadlines, workload, and simply staying abreast of everything; if these things cause you to worry at work, a holistic approach can shift your focus to taking control and concrete action.

If new responsibilities at work and home leave you feeling overwhelmed, gridding can help you get organized and pinpoint specific priorities. In effect, putting an end to feeling stressed.

If you are stuck in a situation that no longer serves you, the Grid™ method can help you create new goals and form an actionable plan. Perhaps, a tweak to your life situation, a new job, or a career change.

More importantly, gridding can get you excited about life again. Once goal setting becomes something you trust, and you see it bringing you closer to what you want, life becomes about progress, moving forwards to new experiences, better things, and greater satisfaction.

You can get started with the gridding method straight away with these productivity resources. If you’d like a bit more structure and support, then the Grid™ Introduction Course will be better. Your goals await!