This post is all about daily goals list to uplevel yourself.
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Do you ever set big yearly goals, only to find out six months later that you haven’t met any of them? Well, having a daily goals list can help in this case. A daily goals list ensures that you are working towards your long-term goals one day at a time.
While your long term vision gives a direction to your life, your daily goals help you take practical actions. They help you be more intentional with your time and efforts.
A daily goals list is not just a to-do list of tasks to complete, but a prioritization tool. Your daily goals are what help you take consistent actions and make those big fat goals seem more achievable!
Here’s exactly how to set daily goals that work?
Whether you want to set daily goals for productivity, health or personal growth, these 22 ideas will get you started!
How To Set Daily Goals That actually Work?
I recently read atomic habits that mentioned that there are 2 types of goals : circumstance based goals and action based goals.
Circumstantial goals are the goals that you have no control over. While action based goals are more specific, measurable and controllable.
And while we spend most of our energy on circumstance based goals, we should really be putting efforts to our action based goals.
Daily goals fall under the later category.
For eg, if you want to run a marathon, and you’re a couch potato at this point, set a daily goal to start walking for 15 minutes. Then jump it up to 30 min, and then start 30 minute runs.
It’s easy to track your improvement and consistency with such goals. (Btw, I’m no expert in running marathons so apologies if this is not how you train for a marathon lol)
Btw, it’s still important to have a vision (circumstance based goal), to help you derive your actions. But it’s your daily goals that’ll make sure whether you ever achieve that vision or not.
daily goals list
daily goals for productivity
1. No snooze
If you have a problem of hitting snooze for at least 30 minutes in the morning, Or feel like your mornings are always rushed, this needs to be on your daily goals list!
Hitting snooze in the morning makes you start your day with a feeling of disappointment & stress, which then creates a ripple effect on your entire days.
Wake up at the exact time you intended to wake up on. If you have trouble waking up, use this natural alarm clock that gradually increases light in your room to wake you up naturally.
2. Brain dump everything; prioritize only 3
Use a to-do list notepad and just brain dump all the things you want to get done today. It’s important to have it all laid out on paper so you can plan it properly.
Next, prioritize your top 3 tasks.
When you force yourself to prioritize only 3 tasks, it makes you focus on the things that actually matter; instead of getting lost in the busy work.
3. Do nothing hour
Add this to your daily goals list to schedule 1 hour (or at least 30 mins) of your time to just do nothing.
Productivity isn’t just about finishing more tasks. Sometimes not being occupied by anything can really help you relax and improve productivity.
Just sit down with a notebook and write everything that comes to you. You might just get an awesome idea, reminder for an important task that you forgot about, or solution to a problem.
4. After work walks
The best thing to do after finishing your work day is to go on a walk.
They’re so relaxing that it’s now an essential part of my daily routine.
Plug in your earphones, put on a nice podcast and enjoy nature. Walks really help you get out of your head, stop thinking about work and get some movement in.
After Work Walk Essentials
They’re literally so comfy!
5. Make a ta-da list every night
If you feel like you’re always busy but aren’t getting enough done, this daily goals ideas is for you.
We’re always so obsessed with to-do lists but it’s time to make a ta-da list instead. Basically, every night write down everything you got done today.
You often give ourselves way less credit than you deserve. And this will help you realize that you’re actually getting things done (or maybe that you’re doing more unimportant tasks).
6. Spend 30 minutes on your hobby or passion project
Whether you want to join a yoga class, learn pottery or a passion project like starting a blog.
I know you might be thinking that you have no time in your busy schedules for this. But trust me, making time for hobbies will improve your creativity, rest time and problem solving skills.
Related Post : 25 Hobbies Of Successful Women To Stay Creative & Stress Free
7. Make your bed
Everyone talks about making your bed first thing in the morning, so you need to add this to your daily goals list.
It helps you start your day with a win; completing a small task before you even step out of your room. And you’ve got a clean bed to return to after work.
8. No work after 6
If you have a habit of taking your laptops to bed and working till you sleep, it’s only a matter of time that you’ll get burnt out.
Instead start having a work cut off time, say 6 pm, after which you’re done with work for the day. This will create more urgency in your days and hence make you finish the important tasks first.
Healthy Daily Goals List
9. drink 3l of water
This is something we all know we need to do, but nobody pays enough attention to it. But if you want to stop feeling lazy all day, this needs to be in your daily goals list.
I just started drinking 3L of water as a part of my 75 hard challenge, and one simple thing that helped me increase my water intake was carrying a water bottle with me every where.
Seriously, just having a water bottle by your side will automatically make you drink more. Get the ever popular Stanley cup to carry around with you.
10. Walk 10,000 steps
This takes me back to my fitbit era, haha!
Get a fitness watch or download a tracker on your phone and complete 10k steps everyday. This is the simplest way to add movement in your days.
And honestly, it gets kinda fun after a while when you have a streak built up.
11. Have 8 hrs of sleep
I recently heard on a podcast that you can radically improve your focus if you just start getting 8 hrs of sleep.
Your mobile phone doesn’t affect your focus as much as your sleep does.
So, add it to your daily goals list to have at least 8 hrs of sleep.
Goals To improve your personality
12. Help someone out
It’s general human nature that you’re the happiest when you’re helping someone out. So, make it your mission today to help someone in need.
Even if it’s something as simple as helping out your colleague with an important presentation, or holding the door for someone.
13. Learn something new
Seriously, if you even invest 15 minutes of your day everyday to learn a new skill, you’d be growing at a faster rate than most people.
Whether you watch a YouTube video trying to develop your technical skills, or hobby like skateboarding or a new yoga pose, it’s the constant improvement that counts.
14. Have dinner technology free
As someone who’s always watching a Friends episode while having dinner, I know how hard it is!
But I definitely make it a point to have technology free dinners when we have company around so that we’re to be more mindful and present.
It’ll lead to better conversations and enhanced relationships.
15. Discuss your day with your partner at night
I know it’s hard to find time to actually have meaningful conversations with people when you’re always thinking about the next task on your to-do list.
But if you want to maintain a healthy relationship with your spouse, make it a point to unplug at night, and discuss your days with each other before going to sleep.
16. Check in with your friends
Sometimes it’s nice (& important) to randomly check-in with your friends. And I can guarantee you’ll always end up feeling more happy and grateful.
Don’t let your busy schedules get in the middle of your important relationships!
goals for mental health
17. One hour in the morning to yourself
I’m a huge fan of morning routines, since they are the best way to prioritize yourself everyday.
There’s really nothing better than a morning routine that makes you feel calm and prepared for the day!
But if having 1 hr in the morning sounds like a stretch, consider waking up just 15 mins early.
Use those 15 mins to drink your morning coffee in peace, or read a book, and just enjoy some me time. Eventually, you can build your morning routine on top of that.
Related Post : Best Morning Routine For Adults For Stress Free Mornings
18. No phone before 9 am
This is gonna be a hard one for most people. But really there’s no logical explanation as to why do you need to check your DMs and mails the minute you wake up.
It only makes you feel rushed and anxious in the morning. It’s better to take some time for yourself and set intentions for the day before looking at what other people want from you.
You can use the freedom app to block all your notifications while you sleep so you don’t have to worry about them in the morning.
19. Journaling at least for 15 minutes
We live in a world where we’re constantly consuming information from all directions throughout the day. That’s why it’s so important to sit down with your journal and process your thoughts.
Journaling really helps you get so much clarity and understand yourself better.
If you’ve no idea where to get started, here’s a list of daily journal questions to try.
20. Writing 3 things you’re grateful for
I can tell you first hand that this is one of those daily goals ideas that will change your outlook on life for real!
And is the simplest one to follow.
Just write down 3 things you’re grateful for everyday. And be very specific about the exact moment. If you’re a beginner, you can try using a gratitude journal.
21. Read at least 10 pages
I always say that once you find a good non-fiction book, there’s no going back!
You’re going to feel so seen and understood by some of these books, that things will finally start making sense.
If you’re on a personal growth journey, you need to try this daily goals ideas. Here are some of my current favorite reads
If you want a comfy read!
If you want to start new habits
For confidence & self love tips
22. Having a relaxing night routine
Having a relaxing night routine is the first step to having a good night’s sleep and feeling energized the next day.
And scrolling through Instagram till 1 am cuz you can’t sleep is never a good idea!
If you’re starting a new evening routine, keep it simple. Put your phone away 1 hr before going to bed (must!), do some skincare, or read a book, and let your mind relax.
Related Post : Best Evening Routine Checklist For Busy Adults
Related Post
1) 18 Genius Healthy Habits For Busy Women For A Balanced Life
2) 21 No-Nonsense Daily Goals For Success
3) 10 Life Changing Daily Habits To Start Today