27 powerful journal prompts for goal-setting
Here are some of my favourite journal prompts for goal-setting that perfectionists can use.
I know perfectionists often struggle with setting unrealistic goals which results in them feeling overwhelmed and burning out which is why I decided to keep these journal prompts simple and straightforward.
By basing them on the SMARTER framework for setting goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound including Empowering and Reflective – I aim to provide a practical tool that perfectionists can use to set clear and achievable goals.
As a Mindset and Productivity Coach for perfectionists, I’ve seen how quickly journal prompts help my clients set clear goals and shift their mindset towards success. In this post, I’ll be sharing 27 journal prompts for goal-setting, designed to empower you to take control of your goals and create a path to success.
Why goal-setting is important for perfectionists
If you’re a perfectionist, its crucial to dedicate specific time for setting goals to avoid the trap of unrealistic expectations. Unrealistic goals can lead to feelings of productivity shame, frustration and dissatisfaction completely derailing your progress and leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
That’s why I recommend you pick a day to sit down and map out your goals using the SMARTER framework to help you create goals that are achievable and in alignment with your values.
No more overwhelm, stress and burnout.
Just simple mindful productivity and achieving more in less time -productivity the easy way.
What are SMARTER goals and why are they necessary for perfectionists?
You’ve probably come across SMART goals before, likely at work, school or online. I distinctly remember being taught about it in my Business Studies GCSE so you’ve most definitely heard about it.
SMARTER goals are an adaptation from the traditional SMART goals but with Empowering and Reflective added on at the end to create a much more holistic framework. These additions promote increased self-awareness, personal growth and resilience, all things that are essential for perfectionists.
I’ve found this amended framework really useful during my perfectionism healing process because it enabled me to create more mindful goals that aligned with my values. Goal-setting no longer felt like a heavy burden or a measure of my failures, it became fun and a tool to help me live my best life.
SMARTER goals stand for:
- Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
- Measurable: Establish criteria to track your progress and determine when you’ve achieved your goal.
- Achievable: Ensure that your goal is realistic and attainable within your resources and constraints.
- Relevant: Make sure your goal aligns with your values, priorities, and long-term objectives.
- Time-bound: Set a deadline or timeframe for achieving your goal to create a sense of urgency and accountability.
- Empowering: Ensure that your goal motivates and inspires you, empowering you to take action and overcome challenges.
- Reflective: Build opportunities for reflection and self-assessment throughout the goal-setting process, allowing you to learn from your experiences and make adjustments as needed.
5 reasons you should use journal prompts for goal-setting
There are so many reasons why you should use journal prompts for goal-setting, however, I’m only going to list a few of them.
Back in the day, I used to roll my eyes whenever someone mentioned journaling or using journal prompts.
I thought they were a waste of my time and energy because I could be doing actual important things like procrastinating and going down an anxiety-shame spiral instead (I’m only half joking).
However, one day I decided to give journaling a proper go and it completely changed my life. Reflecting regularly helped me create a productivity system that is sustainable and works WITH me. I no longer burn out or overwork myself AND through the process I managed to heal a lot of my perfectionism.
So, I’m basically a convert now and I preach about the power of journaling to all my clients.
Here are 5 benefits of using journal prompts for goal-setting:
- Define success on your terms: they help you clarify what success actually means to you without worrying about external pressures from others and society
- Stay grounded in the middle of chaos: when life inevitably gets busy, you can use journal prompts to ground you back in reality and remind you of your priorities
- Boost your creativity and innovation: it’ll train your mind to think outside the box and explore new possibilities
- Reduce your stress levels: writing down your thoughts and goals can be quite therapeutic and provide you with a sense of control
- Learn and grow: Journal prompts encourage you to reflect on your progress by celebrating your wins and learning from your mistakes
Here are your 27 journal prompts for goal-setting that perfectionists can use
Specific:
- What exactly do I want to achieve?
- Can I describe my goal in clear and specific terms?
- What is the main objective I want to accomplish?
- How does this goal align with my long-term vision for myself?
Measurable:
- How will I measure my progress towards my goal?
- What criteria will I use to determine if my goal has been achieved?
- Can I quantify the results I hope to achieve?
Achievable:
- Is my goal realistic and attainable given my current resources and circumstances?
- What steps can I take to overcome potential obstacles or challenges?
- Do I have the necessary skills or support to achieve this goal?
- What specific actions do I need to take to reach my goal?
Relevant:
- How does this goal align with my values, priorities, and long-term objectives?
- Why is this goal important to me personally and professionally?
- Will achieving this goal contribute to my overall sense of fulfilment and well-being?
- What is the desired outcome I want to achieve with this goal?
Time-Bound:
- What is a realistic timeline for completing this goal?
- How can I prioritise my tasks to ensure timely progress?
- What daily, weekly, or monthly deadlines can I establish to keep myself accountable?
- How will achieving this goal make a difference in my life or the lives of others?
Empowering:
- How can I cultivate a positive mindset to support my goal?
- What affirmations or mantras can I use to stay motivated and focused?
- How will accomplishing this goal enhance my confidence and self-esteem?
- In what ways can I visualise my success to strengthen my belief in achieving my goal?
Reflective:
- What insights can I gain from reflecting on past achievements or setbacks?
- How can I learn from any mistakes or failures I’ve experienced in the past?
- What adjustments do I need to make to my approach based on past experiences?
- How does this goal align with my long-term vision for myself?
I hope you enjoyed this blog post with 27 journal prompts for goal-setting.
If you’ve made it this far down the blog, then I might as well introduce myself!
Hey fellow perfectionist, my name is Teresa and I’m a Mindset and Productivity Coach. I specialise in working closely with high-achieving perfectionists, helping them untangle their self-worth from their achievements so they can be productive without burning out.
I’m a big believer in practising what I preach, so everything I’ve talked about in this blog post are things I’ve actually done to heal my perfectionism.
Healing is hard, and it took me many YEARS to figure out the process. This is why I’m dedicated to helping perfectionists heal faster than I ever could.
If you’re ready to stop going through cycles of go-go-go and burnout and reclaim your life drop a comment below, message me on Instagram or sign up for a discovery call.
Whatever you do, I’m here to help!
Book recommendations for goal-setting
- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
- Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- Atomic Habits – James Clear
- Get Things Done – Robert Kelsey
