- 1. Start With Big Year Goals
- 2. Get Specific & Realistic
- 3. Breakdown Year Goals into Quartly Goals
- 4. Breakdown Quartly Goals into Monthly Goals
- 5. Plan out Action Steps for Your Monthly Goals
- Monthly Cleaning and Organization Goals
- Monthly Fitness Goals
- Monthly Health and Wellness Goals
- Monthly Self Care Goals
- Monthly Mental Health Goals
- Monthly Personal Development Goals
- Monthly Financial Goals
- Monthly Goals for Work
- Monthly Relationship Goals
- Monthly Family Goals
- Monthly Social Goals
- Monthly Goals for January:
- Monthly Goals for February
- Monthly Goals for March
- Monthly Goals for April
- Monthly Goals for May
- Monthly Goals for June
- Monthly Goals for July
- Monthly Goals for August
- Monthly Goals for September
- Monthly Goals for October
- Monthly Goals for November
- Monthly Goals for December
Why You Should Set Monthly Goals
Most people start the new year with a list of resolutions – things they want to change about their lives. But by February or March, most of those resolutions have already been forgotten.
Why is it so hard to stick to our goals?
One reason is that we try to accomplish too many things at once. Or we set unrealistic goals for ourselves and then get overwhelmed when we can’t meet them.
A better way to achieve your goals is to break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. That’s where monthly goals come in.
Monthly goals are a great way to focus your attention on what has to happen now, to reach your bigger goals down the road. It helps you to make progress towards your long-term goals since they’re much easier to stick to than yearly or big life goals and aren’t as overwhelming.
Breaking down my big life goals into smaller monthly goals is exactly how I was able to have a baby, lose 70lbs, pay off $20k in credit card debt, and double my income all in the same year.
So yeah, I’d consider it kind of life-changing.
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How to Set Monthly Goals in 5 Steps
Goals that actually change your life are big and take more than a month to accomplish. But it’s easy to fall off the wagon with these bigger goals because they can seem so daunting.
That is why it is important to start with a big goal in mind. Then break it down into smaller monthly goals to help you stick with it and actually make progress toward your biggest, most meaningful life goals.
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
That is why monthly goals are so important! They help you stay focused on chewing that one small bite instead of attempting to fit the whole elephant in your mouth. (I’m really beating this elephant metaphor 😂)
Ready to start setting monthly goals that will change your life? Here’s how:
1. Start With Big Year Goals
To start, take a look at yourself and think about what you would love to accomplish in the next year. Where do you want to be on this same day next year? Think big and come up with 1-3 big, year goals.
These goals should excite you and maybe even scare you a little. A good place to start is making a big year professional goal (work, job, side hustle, etc.), personal goal, and financial goal.
Maybe it’s to make $1,000 a month from your side hustle, lose 20 lbs, or put away $5,000 into savings. Maybe it’s all three!
Once you have your big year goals, write them down onto the year goals section in my Free Monthly Goals Template .
2. Get Specific & Realistic
When thinking of your big year goals, make sure you’re getting specific and realistic. This is not the time to think of impossible goals. Instead, focus on what is realistic for you and your current situation.
For example, a goal like “lose weight” is not specific. You could lose 1 lb and call it good or lose 50. On the other hand, a goal like “lose 100lbs” is very specific but may not be realistic depending on your starting weight and health conditions. A more realistic goal might be “lose 10% of my body weight” or “lose 20lbs”.
Think about what you can actually accomplish in a year and get specific! A good way to come up with good goals for the year is to set SMART goals.
This method of goal setting may be helpful to set your big year goals. You can read my full post on how to set SMART goals here.
3. Breakdown Year Goals into Quartly Goals
Once you have your big year goals you want to accomplish, break them down into 4 smaller quarterly goals.
For each big year goal, ask yourself what needs to happen in the next 3 months (quarter) for you to still be on track to reach your goal by the end of the year.
Again, these quarterly goals should be specific and realistic. This is a time to start thinking about what actionable steps you need to take to achieve your goals.
For example, if one of your big year goals was to make $1,000 a month from your side hustle, your goal for your first quarter may be to make $250 a month by the end of Q1, make $500 in Q2, then $750 in Q3, then finally $1000!
**Keep in mind you’ll also need to make sure your setting actionable steps to hit these goals. Thinks like – add 10 new listings to Etsy this month. But more on action steps in a second!
4. Breakdown Quartly Goals into Monthly Goals
The next step is to break down your quarterly goals into monthly goals.
To do this, you will need to think about what needs to happen each month for you to still be on track to reach your quarterly goal.
For example, if one of your quarterly goals is to put away $3,000 in savings, your monthly goal may be to put away $1,000 each month. Or your first month’s goal may be to put away $500, $1,000 the next, and $1,500 the last.
You could do this by setting up a budget and sticking to it or finding ways to make extra money each month. Which leads us to the last step! Your goals are nothing without action steps.
5. Plan out Action Steps for Your Monthly Goals
The final step in setting monthly goals is to plan out action steps to hit each of those month’s goals.
To do this, take each monthly goal and think about what action steps you need to complete that month in order for you to reach your goal.
For example, if one of your monthly goals is to make $1,000 from your side hustle, some action steps may be to list 10 new items in your Etsy shop, post on Instagram every day promoting your shop, and reach out to 10 blog or Instagram influencers.
Some action steps may take days or weeks to complete while others may only take an hour. The key is to get started and make progress each day or week until you reach your monthly goal!
Luckily, I have 150 of these daily, weeklly, and monthly goal action step ideas below to get your brain juices flowing!
Don’t forget to download my free goal-setting template to help you plan out your monthly goals!
150 Daily, Weekly, and Monthy Goals Ideas That Will Change Your Life:
Now without further ado, here are 150 daily, weekly, and monthly goal ideas that will change your life! Add them to your monthly goal ideas list to make progress toward your biggest life goals!
Monthly Cleaning and Organization Goals
- Clean/organize an entire area (kitchen, bathroom, garage, etc.)
- Clean out your closet
- Create a capsule wardrobe
- Make your bed every day
- Fold the laundry right when it finishes
- Clean out the fridge & pantry
- Get rid of one item of clutter for 30 days
- Reorganize the junk drawer/cabinet
- Go to bed every night with an empty sink
- Create a cleaning schedule
- Clean out purse/wallet
- Wash and detail the car
- Organize the apps on your phone
Monthly Fitness Goals
- Go for a walk every day
- Do a workout every day
- Stretch for 5 minutes every morning
- Try a new workout class
- Create a workout schedule/routine
- Go to the gym 3x a week
- Walk 10,000 steps every day
- Do a 30-day workout challenge
- Train for and run a 5k
- Go for a hike
- Try a new sport
- Sign up for a race or competition (a spartan race, marathon, tough mudder, etc.)
Monthly Health and Wellness Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water a day
- Cut out sugar for 30 days
- Replace soda with water
- No alcohol for 30 days
- Learn how to meal prep
- Go see the doctor or dentist for a well-check exam
- No Caffeine for a month
- Eat Breakfast every day
- Cut out snacking
- Make a meal plan
- Eat a veggie at every meal
- Track what you eat for a month
Monthly Self Care Goals
- Meditate for 5 minutes every day
- Start a gratitude journal
- Write in a journal every day
- Get ready every day
- Commit to a skin routine
- Try a new beauty product
- Have a bath
- Read at least 5 minutes every day
- Spend money on yourself
- Plan a ‘You’ day
- Set a sleep goal and stick to it
- Create a morning routine
- Create a nighttime routine
- Schedule an hour of ‘you’ time every day
- Have a spa night (face masks, mani, pedi, etc.)
Monthly Mental Health Goals
- Say a positive affirmation every morning
- Change your phone wallpaper to a motivational quote
- Go on a social media break for 30 days
- Get outside every day
- Write down 3 things you’re grateful for each day
- Set social media and screen time boundaries
- No phone after 7 pm for 30 days
- No phone for the first 30 minutes after you’re awake
- Don’t complain for 30 days
- Go to therapy
- Take a mental health day
- Unfollow 1 social media account a day for 30 days that doesn’t inspire you
- Cut out negative talk
Monthly Personal Development Goals
- Take up a new hobby
- Read a new book each month
- Do a language lesson in a language app every day
- Listen to an educational or inspirational podcast every day
- Try a new food or recipe
- Do one crossword or sudoku puzzle a day
- Sign up for a course or class
- Make a 5-year plan
- Do something you’ve always wanted to do
- Read the news every day (from multiple news sources, not just your regular one)
- Unsubscribe from 5 email lists
- Learn a new skill
- Don’t hit the snooze button for 30 days
- No tv for 30 days
- Push yourself out of your comfort zone
- Sleep with your phone in another room
- Start a new habit
- Read or listen to a personal development book
Monthly Financial Goals
- Do a no-spend month
- Don’t eat out for 30 days
- Stick to a budget
- Try a 30-day savings challenge
- Start a side hustle
- Make a plan to get out of debt
- Buy only generic brand products
- Start an investment account
- Sell your old stuff
- Read a book on finances
- Download a rebate or coupon app
- Donate to a cause you care about
Monthly Goals for Work
- Organize the files on your computer
- Only check email once a day
- Try Time Blocking
- Find a mentor
- Join a mastermind group
- Clean up your inbox and email folders
- Attend a networking event
- Organize your workspace
- Update your resume
- Start your own business
- Make a list of all your passwords
- Write down your career goals
- Learn a new skill for your profession
- Ask for a raise
Monthly Relationship Goals
- Go on a date night every week
- Make dinner together once a week
- Kiss your partner every day
- Write down one thing you love about them for 30 days
- Try something new together
- Take up a new hobby together
- Buy them something just because
- Learn about your partner’s love language
- Say “I love you” every day
- Do an act of service for them every day for 30 days
- Give your partner a new compliment every day
- Play 20 questions to get to know them better
Monthly Family Goals
- Have a family night once a week
- Eat dinner together every night
- Make a family chore chart
- Set some family goals together
- Open Investment accounts for your kids
- Create a bedtime routine
- Learn about something your child is interested in
- Do a Yes day
- Create a family motto or mission statement
- Create an emergency plan
- Schedule one-on-one dates
- Do a family walk every day
- Set family screen times
- Start a new tradition
- Fill a gratitude jar together
- Call your parents or siblings once a week
Monthly Social Goals
- Volunteer once a month
- Send a thoughtful text to someone every day
- Compliment someone every day
- Go out with friends once a week
- Talk to someone new at the gym, school, work, church, playgroup, etc.
- Invite people over (host a game night, girl’s night, etc)
- Grab a coffee or go to lunch with someone
- Remove a negative person from your life
- Buy something from a local shop
- Send a letter to someone
- Do random acts of kindness for 30 days
- Join a local group
- Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while
- Buy someone flowers
Goal Ideas for Each Month
If you pick one goal from each category to work on each month to improve your life overall. Your calendar might look like this:
Monthly Goals for January:
- Clean & organize an entire area (kitchen, bathroom, garage, etc. Pick one)
- Go for a walk every day
- Track what you eat for a month
- Plan a ‘You’ day
- Say a positive affirmation every morning
- Take up a new hobby
- Do a no-spend month
- Organize the files on your computer
- Go on a date night every week
- Have a family night once a week
- Eat dinner together every night
- Make a household chore chart
- Volunteer once a month
Monthly Goals for February
- Clean out your closet
- Do a workout every day
- Drink 8 glasses of water a day
- Meditate for 5 minutes every day
- Change your phone wallpaper to a motivational quote
- Read a new book each month
- Don’t eat out for 30 days
- Only check email once a day
- Make dinner together (family or partner) once a week
- Set some family goals together
- Send a thoughtful text to someone every day
Monthly Goals for March
- Create a capsule wardrobe
- Stretch for 5 minutes every morning
- Cut out sugar for 30 days
- Start a gratitude journal
- Go on a social media break for 30 days
- Do a language lesson in a language app every day
- Stick to a budget
- Try Time Blocking
- Kiss your partner every day
- Open Investment accounts for your kids
- Compliment someone every day
Monthly Goals for April
- Make your bed every day
- Try a new workout class
- Replace soda with water
- Write in a journal every day
- Get outside every day
- Listen to an educational or inspirational podcast every day
- Try a 30-day savings challenge
- Find a mentor
- Write down one thing you love about your partner for 30 days
- Create a bedtime routine
- Go out with friends once a week
Monthly Goals for May
- Fold the laundry right when it finishes
- Create a workout schedule/routine
- No alcohol for 30 days
- Get ready every day
- Write down 3 things you’re grateful for each day
- Try a new food or recipe
- Start a side hustle
- Join a mastermind group
- Try something new with your family or partner
- Learn about something your child is interested in
- Talk to someone new at the gym, school, work, church, playgroup, etc.
Monthly Goals for June
- Clean out the fridge & pantry
- Go to the gym 3x a week
- Learn how to meal prep
- Commit to a skin routine
- Set social media and screen time boundaries
- Do one crossword or sudoku puzzle a day
- Make a plan to get out of debt
- Clean up your inbox and email folders
- Take up a new hobby with your partner
- Do a Yes day
- Invite people over (host a game night, girl’s night, etc)
Monthly Goals for July
- Get rid of one item of clutter for 30 days
- Walk 10,000 steps every day
- Go see the doctor and dentist for a well-check exam
- Try a new beauty product
- No phone after 7 pm for 30 days
- Sign up for a course or class
- Buy only generic brand products
- Attend a networking event
- Buy your partner something just because
- Create a family motto or mission statement
- Grab a coffee or go to lunch with someone
Monthly Goals for August
- Reorganize the junk drawer/cabinet
- Do a 30-day workout challenge
- No Caffeine for a month
- Have a bath
- No phone for the first 30 minutes after you’re awake
- Make a 5-year plan
- Start an investment account
- Organize your workspace
- Learn about your partner’s love language
- Create an emergency plan
- Remove a negative person from your life
Monthly Goals for September
- Go to bed every night with an empty sink
- Train for and run a 5k
- Eat Breakfast every day
- Read at least 5 minutes every day
- Don’t complain for 30 days
- Do something you’ve always wanted to do
- Sell your old stuff
- Update your resume
- Say “I love you” every day
- Do a family walk every day
- Send a letter to someone
Monthly Goals for October
- Create a cleaning schedule
- Go for a hike
- No snacking
- Spend money on yourself
- Go to therapy
- Read the news every day (from multiple news sources, not just your regular one)
- Read a book on finances
- Learn a new skill for your profession
- Do an act of service for your partner or family every day for 30 days
- Set family screen times
- Do random acts of kindness for 30 days
Monthly Goals for November
- Clean out purse/wallet
- Try a new sport
- Make a meal plan
- Set a sleep goal and stick to it
- Take a mental health day
- Unsubscribe from 5 email lists
- Download a rebate or coupon app
- Make a list of all your passwords
- Give your partner or family a new compliment every day
- Start a new tradition
- Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while
Monthly Goals for December
- Wash and detail the car
- Sign up for a race or competition (a spartan race, marathon, tough mudder, etc.)
- Eat a veggie at every meal
- Create a morning routine
- Unfollow 1 social media account a day for 30 days that doesn’t inspire you
- No tv for 30 days
- Donate to a cause you care about
- Write down your career goals
- Give your partner a new compliment every day
- Play 20 questions with your partner or family to get to know them better
- Call your parents or siblings once a week
- Buy someone flowers
Free Printable Monthly Goals Tracker
Use this monthly goals tracker template along with the goal setting template to check off your monthly goals and track your progress. This printable monthly goals tracker is great for all your monthly goals.
This tracker is a great way to visually see the progress you are making on each action step you have set for yourself to achieve your monthly goals.
- Print out the monthly goals tracker template.
- Circle the current month
- Fill in the sections with your daily goals for the month (ex: drink 8 glasses of water every day), weekly goals for the month (ex: have date night every week), and single month goals (ex: clean and organize my closet).
- Mark each box on each day, week, or month that you complete each goal task.
See Goal Tracker Example Below:
Attach the tracker to your wall or mirror as a daily reminder of your monthly goals and the action steps and tasks you’ve set for yourself to reach those goals!
Free Printable Monthly Goals Template
This free printable monthly goals template is exactly what I use to set my big year goals and break them down into smaller monthly goals (process outlined previously in this post).
With sections for professional goals, personal goals, financial goals, and more!
Free Editable Monthly Goals Planner Canva Template
Want a digital version of my monthly goals template? Well I’ve added a digital template you can edit in Canva! (compatible with a free or paid account!)
What can you accomplish in a month?
If you’re wondering what can you accomplish in a month, the answer is a lot! Each of these 150 goals can all be accomplished in only one month!
You can make significant progress on your yearly goals by setting monthly goals and taking action steps towards those goals every day. You can try a 30-day challenge to jump start your month or help you focus on a specific goal.
So think about what you want to achieve this month and set some goals! And don’t forget to download my template to help!
How many monthly goals should I set?
The number of monthly goals you should set depends on how much time you have and how many goals you want to focus on.
If you want to focus on a lot of different areas of your life, you might want to set 5-10 mini goals like the examples above.
If you want to really focus on one area, like your health, you might want to set 3-5 goals that are health-related.
The important thing is that you don’t try to accomplish too much at once or you’ll get overwhelmed and end up not accomplishing anything.
Start small and then you can gradually increase the number of goals as you get more comfortable with the process.
What are good monthly goals?
Besides this list of 150 goal ideas, a good monthly goal is something that helps you move closer to your yearly goal.
For example, if your yearly goal is to save $10,000, a good monthly goal would be to save $833 per month. If your yearly goal is to run a marathon, a good monthly goal would be to run 20 miles per week.
If you don’t want to focus on bigger yearly goals. Some other examples of good monthly goals are mini goals to improve multiple aspects of your life. Setting mini goals to improve your organization, fitness, health, personal development, self care, relationship, spirituality, work, and more can help you to improve all around.
Conclusion
Monthly goals are a great way to stay on track with your long-term goals. They can help you break down your larger goals into manageable tasks, and they provide a sense of accountability and ownership over your progress.
I hope that this post, these 150 monthly goal ideas, and my monthly goal templates will help with what you want to achieve in the coming year!
Want to remember this post? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board!
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After becoming a stay-at-home mom, I felt like I had lost myself. I had no control over my life, no interests or hobbies and my husband was out progressing in life while I was at home stagnant.
After starting my blog, I was able to take my life back and still be the mom I want to be. I realized that you don't have to choose YOU or motherhood.
Now I'm focused on helping moms just like me create their dream lives without sacrificing motherhood.
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