Goal-setting is what Passion Planner is all about. Setting that GameChanger goal every 3 months and breaking it down into manageable tasks is what Passion Planner is a queen at. 

And there’s a reason that the very last line when you are defining the GameChanger goal for the month is to list how you are going to celebrate when the goal is accomplished. We human beings are innately led by incentives. Set a piece of chocolate underneath a pile of clothes and we will fold that laundry lickety split for the delicious reward hidden beneath. 

But what if the GameChanger goal still feels far away, or the tasks leading you to it are massive undertakings? That celebration moment can feel light years away and it may not feel like a strong enough pull to see you through to the finish line. We can feel disheartened, hopeless, and overwhelmed. We sink into the motivation pit, unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

To get out of the pit, it is going to take some major (and ongoing) willpower and incentives to help us climb out.

We are here to tell you that YOU CAN DO IT. The key is to reward yourself along the way. This article is going to show you how to set up a trail of delicious breadcrumbs leading you step by step towards achieving your dreams.

First thing’s first, we have to get all of our goals out of our head and onto the page. That is where the blank pages at the back of your Passion Planner Daily come in handy. Let’s turn those empty pages into a sweet, sweet self reward.

1. List your goals, including your GameChanger goal

Above: Passion Planner Digital

For our newer #PashFam members out there, the GameChanger goal is the one goal that would have the most positive impact on your life right now. The Passion Roadmap in each planner helps you brainstorm a list and then choose that one goal. Some of my GameChanger goals have included researching grad school, crafting a signature offer for my business, or challenging myself to risk rejection in my life every day for the next month. 

On your blank page, make a list including your GameChange goal, the tasks to take to achieve your GameChange goal, as well as any other ongoing goals that you are working towards in other aspects of your life. For instance, if your GameChanger goal is focused on your career, add in a goal you have for your health and well-being. 

Oftentimes goals fall under these four main categories: health, wealth, relationships, and career. Be careful not to give yourself to many goals underneath one category as that will divide your attention and energy.

2. Divide your goals up by type: outcome, performance, and process

Above: Passion Planner Digital Planner and Stickers

There are 3 different types of goals you can set for yourself: outcome, performance, and process.

Outcome Goal

An outcome goal is often an achievement. That also makes it outside your control as it is reliant on external factors around you. A lot of different factors go into whether you will be able to achieve these goals or not. Keep that in mind when you are feeling disheartened along your journey towards this goal.

Outcome Goal Examples 

• Winning the National Championship
• Earning $50,000 in revenue for your business
• Getting engaged in the next 5 years

Performance Goal

A performance goal is based on a personal standard you are wanting to achieve. These goals are semi within your control.

Performance Goal Examples

• Run a mile in 6 minutes
• Upgrade 10% of buyers into my membership
• Be fully present on each date I go on

Process Goal

A process goal is the smallest (and most achievable!) goal you can set for yourself. This is what you have complete control over to work toward your performance or outcome goals.

Process Goal Examples

• Run 4 days a week
• Send loyal customers an email about membership each week
• Spend 15 min a day on dating apps so that I continue to put myself out there

3. Brainstorm a list of potential rewards

Above: Passion Planner Digital Planner and Stickers

Here comes the fun part: making a list of all of the things your heart desires. This list should range in price and value.

Rewarding yourself is important because it not only gives you an incentive to reach the goal but it is also a chance for you to celebrate your accomplishments. Too often we race past this finish line and start looking towards the next one without giving ourselves a chance to celebrate our win. By slowing down, finding gratitude, and rewarding yourself for a job well done, you can learn to find joy in every win.

15 Fun and Creative Ways to Reward Yourself:

1. Treat yourself to ice cream
2. Order take out
3. Plan a spa night
4. Go for a walk
5. Buy that expensive bottle of wine
6. Take a nap
7. Book an appointment for that tattoo you’ve always wanted
8. Update your underwear drawer
9. Splurge on really nice sheets
10. Sign up for a cooking or improv class
11. Treat yourself to a smoothie
12. Allocate $20 a week towards that pair of shoes you’ve been wanting
13. Lunch with friends
14. Buy yourself a new makeup product
15. Book a trip

4. Add a reward next to each of your goals

Above: Passion Planner Digital Planner and Stickers

This is where you pledge to yourself to be generous yet fair when it comes to rewarding yourself. The time and effort spent working on a goal should equal the value of the reward. After all, what good would it do if everytime you sent an email to a customer you rewarded yourself with a trip to Cancun. I don’t know about you, but I would be flat broke if I tried to keep that up.

Also, try not to choose a reward that sabotages all of your hard earned efforts. For instance, if one of your goals is to go to the gym 4 times a week to work toward your bigger goal of losing 10 lbs, you probably don’t want to reward yourself with a slice of delicious chocolate cake from your local bakery after every workout session. 

Want another neat tracking trick? You can also use Passion Planner’s FREE Habit Tracker to log your weekly progress goals and your reward at the end of the week. 

Check back in with your goals and their reward

Especially if you have a low energy day, flip to your reward chart in your Passion Planner to incentivize yourself to keep taking baby steps toward those goals. The reward you give yourself, plus the awesome feeling of a goal accomplished, will help refuel you on your journey.

Bonus Tip: Add some pizzazz and great organization to your new reward system with a little bit of color coding. Use a different color for outcome goals, performance goals, process goals and your rewards. The second you knock that goal out of the park, highlight it on your list so you can see that accomplishment bright and proud. Oh… and follow through with the reward. Your subconscious will later sabotage you if you don’t stay true to your promise.

What’s one reward you are looking at adding to motivate your goal-driven journey? Let us know in the comment section below.

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