Here are my top 10 must have tools when it comes to goal setting plus a free printable template you can use to get started today!
*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.

TOOLS FOR GOAL SETTING
I’m an organizer at heart, so my home is filled with labels, baskets and schedules. So when it comes to goals, I have a few favorite tools for goal setting that I always go to in helping me organize my thoughts and execute a plan.
1. A SIMPLE TO DO LIST PAD
These are by far my favorite. Simple, to the point and ready to rock and roll. Plus I love the old-school design.
2. A GOOD SET OF HIGHLIGHTERS
I always come back to these Sharpies. They are the brightest, last a long time, and I probably own more highlighters than pens. Every time I finish a task, I get a nerdy rush highlighting it off my list.
3. A SMOOTH PEN TO GET THE JOB DONE
Lately, I’ve found that pens with that weird squishy thing on the end (I guess it’s used for a stylus) write the smoothest. I jump back and forth on which pens are my favorite, but currently, these are the front-runners.
4. POST-ITS FOR YOUR TOP 3 GOALS
I know this is so basic, but seriously, I can’t live without my Post-its. I use them mostly to write my top 3 of the day. Each morning, I take 2 Post-its, write:
- WORK 1. 2. 3.
- PERSONAL 1. 2. 3.
Then I fill out the 3 main tasks in each category I want to accomplish that day.
5. DRY ERASE MARKERS FOR YOUR BATHROOM MIRROR
I write on my mirror all the time for reminders, motivational quotes, and habit tracking. Write 1-21 on your mirror and cross off each day you meet your goal. They say it takes 21 days in a row to develop a good habit, but feel free to set your own number or goal parameters. (Who are “they” anyway?)
6. A PRETTY WALL CALENDAR
Maybe you like dry erase calendars, or a simple yearly overview, but have something on the wall to refer to when you need to track something. Having everything digital can be a pain especially when you just want to look up the date and end up jumping over to Facebook.
7. TRELLO APP FOR A BRAIN DUMP
Speaking of digital, I fight the urge to use a digital calendar, because I am always drawn back to good old pencil and paper. However, my office is littered with bits of paper, scraps of ideas and jumbled lists. Last month, I discovered Trello boards (Ok I know I’m behind the times on this one) and spent two days straight organizing these amazing little boards. I use them for meal planning, cleaning checklists, editorial calendars, medical information—you name it. Consider it your brain organized in an app.
8. MONTHLY PLANNER
I can’t seem to get on board with updating a daily calendar, but monthly calendars are my jam. I use a planner that simply contains two years of monthly calendars and write down everything I can think of, and for day to day tasks, refer to my to do list pad that I add to as needed.
9. SPECIFIC GOAL PLANNERS
Every once in awhile I need a little help in organizing my thoughts when it comes to goal setting and about twice a year, I re-evaluate where I’m at and where I want to go. These are great motivational tools for getting the job done.
10. WHITE BOARD FOR INSPIRATION
I use my white board in my office to write out my goals and the progress I’m making on them. Some days I feel like I’m doing great, others I don’t feel like I’ve gone backwards. Having a board or even a piece of paper that tracks your progress on a long term goal can be the perfect motivator to help you see small milestones you’ve reached along the way to help you power through.

GRAB MY FREE GOAL SETTING TEMPLATES!
I have over 100 pages of free printables for subscribers in my printable library including goal setting templates on creating routine, a brain dump, goal breakdown worksheets and more! Just tell me where to send them:
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Not sure where to start on your own goals? I’ve created this NEW Goal Setting Workbook to walk you through it! You can find it in my shop:
Check out these other posts on goal setting:
- Setting Goals and Habits to Break Free From Survival Mode
- Six Steps to Reaching Your Goals
- How to Create a Daily Routine That Helps You Reach Your Goals
- Motivational Quotes to Encourage You to Reach Your Goals
- Choosing Your Word of the Year
Now get out there goal-getter! You’ve got this!


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These are all great and helpful tools, Amy, thanks so much for sharing. I’ve yet to jump on the Trello train but now that I know how much you love it I’ll definitely look into it. Thank you!
Yes it’s been really helpful!