Goal Hierarchy

What is it? How it works? How it can support your life?

Photo by Izzy Pearce | Mâché Co-Working Space, Adelaide, South Australia

In my last blog post about Business Burnout I mentioned that I have been practicing goal hierarchy. In this post I want to delve into what goal hierarchy is all about and why I’ve found it so helpful. To truly understand why I’m writing about this, I recommend reading my previous post. It’s raw, honest and something I think more and more of us need to be aware of and take action towards healing.

Okay, let’s get into it!

What is Goal Hierarchy?

Goal hierarchy is reasonably simple. It involves setting goals for yourself (big, small and in between) and then setting out an order of importance or need. It is a method of organisation which instills more mindfulness and awareness within your goal setting which brings about more mindfulness and awareness within your life, overall. As well, it is great for navigating overload and burnout from doing too much, too often and not achieving very much in the process.

How Does it Work?

When you have created your goal hierarchy it has the ability to free you from the expectations you put on yourself.
It provides me with relief and a clear, more consise pathway forward. Creating goals and then assigning importance to each has really helped me understand what my true needs are in business and in my personal life. Rather than my goals just appearing and disappearing from my mind as reoccurring thoughts that then plague my mind over time, my goal hierarchy aligns my wants and needs better and has given me pause on some tasks too. Sometimes our creative brain gives us ideas that really aren’t that amazing or as necessary as we initially think.

Figuring out your main goal/objective will help align all other following goals (or tasks to reach the higher-level goals). However, this doesn’t mean you need to have your whole life goal orientated. Just writing down some goals for the next season of your life or just the next month, can be super helpful. I’m not a great longterm planner. I do happen to know what my top-tier goal is; that being… the pursuit of supporting myself and others to feel the best and most confident in their own body for a balanced, fun and active long life.
Although I know my top-tier goal, I hate the question “where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?”. Ick! That question is so hard to answer if you’re like me and much prefer living moment to moment. I enjoy the fact that my journey through life is ever evolving. However, living moment to moment can get you stuck too. Direction can be helpful. Creating a goal hierarchy, even for a short period of time, can benefit everyone; yourself, your loved ones and the greater community. It will help guide healthy, healing choices throughout your life.

I digress… What I’m trying to say is goal hierarchy can be done on any level. Big, over aching, whole life goals and monthly, quarterly or annual goals… or even a single project (no matter the timeframe). It’s a great, simple tool that will elevate your own sense of worthiness and ability to achieve. You are valuable and deserve to feel amazing in your work and personal life each and everyday.

Creating Goal Hierarchy - 7 Simple Steps

Step 1. Write down your goals - don’t worry too much about the order initially.

Step 2. Break the bigger ones down into smaller more bite sized, easily attainable goals/steps. You may like to call them higher-level and lower-level goals. Some will be daily, some will be weekly, others monthly and so on.

Step 3. Read each goal slowly and clearly - this will help you really see and feel each goal in your body. Feel into the sensations or emotions that come up when you read each goal or step to achieving said goal.

Step 4. Begin to filter. To help workout your higher-level goals and even your top-tier goal, ask yourself, “why?” (“why is this important?”, “how is this important?”, “where is this important?”)

Step 5. Order your goals. The answers you get from asking “why?” will help you create your first set of hierarchy. This is not the end point though. Not yet.

Step 6. Read your hierarchy slowly and clearly again - maybe even out loud. Feel into each goal again. The body is a great tool for checking in to see if something is right or wrong. Goals that don’t sit well (aren’t maybe what you need) will make you feel flat or feel uncomfortable in some way. Goals that are worth working on will make you feel inspired to take action, even if one goal is purely to action a small task that supports a higher-level goal or your top-tier goal.

Step 7. Reassign goal hierarchy if required. It’s okay to rework the hierarchy. This is actually something you should come back to semi frequently. Reassessing will help you wean out unnecessary goals as previously mentioned. It can also be great for realising when a higher-level goal is achieved or achievement is just around the corner. This can inspire more passion behind your projects and the actions you take.

Notes on Goal Hierarchy

• Don’t get caught up in feeling like you need to have your whole life planned out. You can use this system for smaller projects like a home renovation, health/wellness goals, building a new healthy habit etc.
• Don’t be afraid of change. Life is an ever evolving journey and your life’s needs and wants will change. Change is good and change is one of the only constants in life. “Change brings opportunity.” - Nido Qubein. Teach yourself not be be afraid of change.
• Adapt when required. Remember that you have lots of options. There’s no one way of doing. The way you act on your goals doesn’t have to stay the same. If you find a better solution or learn about a new technique of practice, adapt. This will help you keep a level of freedom whilst managing your time and focus for your higher-level goals.
• Allow yourself to break-down your higher-level goals. Sometimes we can get lost in the grandness of our ideas. This system is meant to support you in generating smaller, achievable goals that will lead you to your higher-level and top-tier goals.
• Always keep things creative and fun. You want to enjoy your pathway to goal attainment. Make sure you set goals that are either inherently fun or have components that are fun, interesting and creative. This will help inspire you to keep on track.

Goal Hierarchy Planner

Check out this Goals and Dreams Hierarchy Planner to help you get started.

Happy goal setting well-being warrior!