Create Your Own Goal Setting Contract

Last week I discussed several techniques to help you keep promises to yourself, whether it be with sticking to your decision to work on a project or as a motivational tool in your efforts to build new habits. One of those techniques was to treat your promises almost like a business/legal contract. We don’t readily look to break those sorts of contracts so it makes sense to apply the same principle to your own personal work and growth.

Shanel Yang commented on that post, using her legal background to leave a great, authentic example contract. This gave me a great idea to take that example and turn it into a full template for everyone to use. Check it out below:

I, [insert name], desiring to commit fully to my chosen goals, as set forth below, and to complete each step, also set forth below, of said chosen goals do hereby promise as follows:

1. For my goal of [describe goal], I will [detail what you need to do in order to complete the goal] during the period of [from - to]. 
2. For my goal of [describe goal], I will [detail what you need to do in order to complete the goal] during the period of [from - to]. 
3. For my goal of [describe goal], I will [detail what you need to do in order to complete the goal] during the period of [from - to].

Having set forth these goals and the specific steps that I will take towards each of them during the period specified, I solemnly affix my signature on the line below, attesting that I shall carry out these steps with as much responsibility as I would give to any promise I have made to a boss, client, family member, or friend.

Date:

Signature:

Give it a try. You can either print it from Google Docs, or copy and paste the above into your word processor of choice. Add your name and the specifics of your designated goals. Then to complete the deal, be sure to sign and date it for added authenticity. Remember to make sure the target you want to achieve is small, actionable and has a time period attached to it. Hope you find it useful!