When you set out to accomplish something big, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the vastness of the goal ahead. Whether you're building a business, achieving personal milestones, or advancing in your career, it's crucial to create a routine that breaks down those large goals into manageable, daily actions. This is where the beauty of consistency comes into play—small steps each day lead to significant progress over time.
The Not Just Notes Goal Planner gives you a powerful framework to create a daily routine that aligns with your goals, helps you stay on track, and motivates you to keep moving forward. But how do you design a routine that works for you?
Let’s walk through it together.
Morning Focus: Setting the Tone for the Day
Start your day by getting clear on your intention. This isn’t just about what you need to do—it’s about how you want to feel as you move toward your goal. For example, maybe your goal is to grow your business. You might write something like:
"Today, I will focus on making meaningful connections that can lead to potential partnerships."
This brief, yet powerful statement helps you center your energy and focus your attention on what truly matters.
Then, identify your top priority task. This is the one thing that will have the greatest impact on your goal today. If your goal is to increase sales, maybe your priority task is reaching out to a potential client or finalizing a proposal. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that will push the needle forward.
And don’t forget to add a motivational quote or affirmation to inspire you throughout the day. You could write something like, “I trust in my ability to create the life I desire, and I step forward with confidence and grace.” This small ritual can be a game-changer, keeping you anchored to your purpose.
Goal-Related Tasks: Turning Vision Into Action
Once you’ve set the tone for the day, it’s time to break down the big task into smaller, more actionable steps. Your planner guides you to list 3 tasks related to your goal. These tasks should be specific and doable. Here’s an example for someone working toward personal financial goals:
“Create a budget for next month”
“Schedule a consultation with a financial advisor”
“Research investment opportunities”
These are tangible tasks you can check off, which makes progress feel achievable. They’re steps that move you forward, no matter how small.
Focused Work: Time Blocks to Protect Your Energy
Time is your most valuable resource, and it’s important to be intentional about how you spend it. Block out periods of time during your day to dedicate to focused work. For instance:
Morning Block (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): This could be your high-energy, high-focus block where you dive deep into your priority tasks.
Afternoon Block (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Use this time for follow-up tasks or research. These are important, but they may not require the same level of concentration as your morning block.
Evening Block (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): This time can be for reflection or tying up any loose ends. It’s also a great opportunity to revisit your goals, plan for tomorrow, or work on your personal development.
Morning Block (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): High-Energy, High-Focus Time
This is when you tackle your most demanding tasks with full focus. During this block, you have the energy and clarity to dive into your top priority of the day. For example, if you're working on launching a product, this time might be used to create your sales page copy. It could also be the time you finalize a critical proposal for a new client. These are the tasks that need your undivided attention and the creative energy you have in the morning, before distractions or fatigue start to creep in.
The key here is to dedicate this time to tasks that push your goals forward. If your priority task is something like drafting a business pitch, try to set a timer for one hour, allowing yourself a clear, distraction-free space to get it done. With a specific task in mind, you’re less likely to let your focus wander.
Afternoon Block (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Follow-Up and Research
In the afternoon, your energy levels might not be as high as in the morning, so this time is ideal for tasks that are important but don’t require the same intense focus. For instance, this could be when you research competitors or gather insights for your next big marketing campaign. You might also use this time to schedule social media posts or follow up on emails from the morning.
If you’re building a brand, this is a great time to connect with potential influencers or collaborators, scheduling calls and setting up meetings. You might also spend this block managing administrative tasks—updating spreadsheets, checking in on your accounting, or planning the next steps in a project. These are tasks that keep things moving without draining your creative energy. It’s all about sustaining progress.
Evening Block (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Reflection, Planning, and Personal Development
As the day winds down, use this time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and tie up any loose ends. You might revisit your goal for the day and assess what went well—and what could be better. Perhaps you need to tweak your approach for tomorrow, or maybe you realize that an unexpected conversation or meeting was exactly what you needed to move forward.
This is also the perfect time to look ahead and prepare for tomorrow. For example, if you’re preparing for a client presentation the next day, you could use this block to review your notes and make any final adjustments. Or if you’re in the process of writing a book or eBook, maybe you use the evening to read through what you’ve written so far, checking for flow and clarity.
You might also want to spend time working on your personal development, reflecting on how you can improve or challenge yourself in the coming days. Maybe that means reading a chapter of a business book, or journaling on your journey as an entrepreneur. Taking the time to invest in yourself will help you feel grounded and refocused for the next day.
Setting specific blocks of time to work on your goals ensures that you’re giving each task the time and attention it deserves. It also helps create structure in your day, so you’re not scrambling to fit everything in.
Progress Check: Reflecting on Your Achievements
As you move through the day, it’s important to pause and reflect on your progress. At the end of each day, take a moment to write down what you accomplished. Celebrate your wins, even the small ones! Maybe you didn’t finish the whole budget, but you made progress, and that counts.
Ask yourself: What went well? Acknowledge your strengths. If something didn’t go as planned, that’s okay too. Write down what you can improve and use that insight to adjust your approach the next day.
Personal Care: Supporting Your Mind and Body
In your pursuit of your goals, don’t forget to take care of yourself. True success comes when you’re in alignment with your mind, body, and spirit. Incorporate tasks into your routine that support your health and well-being.
Physical Health: Whether it’s taking a walk, stretching, or doing a workout, make time for movement.
Mental Health: Spend a few minutes journaling, meditating, or practicing mindfulness.
Rest & Recharge: Sleep is crucial for your productivity and clarity. Make sure to wind down in the evening, even if it’s just 10 minutes of reflection or quiet time.
Remember, self-care is essential to maintaining your energy and focus as you work toward your goals.
Evening Reflection: Wrapping Up the Day
As the day winds down, take a moment to reflect on your journey. Practice gratitude by acknowledging something you’re thankful for—whether it’s a small win, the support of a friend, or the ability to simply take a step forward.
Ask yourself: What did I learn today? It’s in these moments of reflection that you often gain clarity and insights that can propel you forward. Prepare for the next day by outlining your first task, ensuring you’re ready to hit the ground running tomorrow.
Example Routine
An Example Daily Routine: A Day in the Life
Here’s what a typical day might look like for someone working toward a business goal—let’s say launching a new online course:
Morning Focus: "Today, I will focus on creating the marketing plan for my course launch."
Top Priority Task: Finalize the content outline for the course landing page.
Motivational Affirmation: “I am capable of creating a lasting impact through my work.”
Goal-Related Tasks:
Write 500 words for the course outline.
Research competitors’ marketing strategies.
Set up an email list for course announcements.
Focused Work:
Morning Block: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Write content for landing page and outline marketing strategies.
Afternoon Block: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Research competitors and organize email list.
Evening Block: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Reflect on the day and plan next steps.
Personal Care:
Physical Health: 30-minute walk after lunch.
Mental Health: 10 minutes of journaling before bed.
Rest & Recharge: Wind down at 9:30 PM with a book.
Evening Reflection:
Gratitude: “I’m grateful for the clarity I gained today.”
One Thing I Learned: “Marketing a course takes a lot of strategy, but I’m learning quickly.”
Preparation for Tomorrow: “Start drafting the email to send to my list.”
Consistency and Flexibility: The Key to Progress
As you implement your routine, remember that consistency is vital, but flexibility is equally important. Life is unpredictable, and it’s okay to adjust when necessary. The goal is to stay committed to your progress, not perfection.
Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Each step forward is a step toward your goal. With intention, structure, and a clear routine, you’re on the path to achieving everything you’ve set out to do. Keep going. You’re doing more than just dreaming—you’re building the life you desire, one focused day at a time.
