Monthly Goals Are The Key To Your Long-Term Success
The year is half over, so let’s double down on setting July goals.
I don’t know about you, but I want to set myself up for success in the year’s second half. Most importantly, there is no better way to do so than identifying, selecting, setting, and achieving good goals for July.
As a result, it’s time to start improving. So, let’s get moving!
July Goals For A Great Beginning to the 2nd Half Of This Year
New month, new goals, July! Here are my best suggestions for July goal-setting ideas:
- Give yourself a daily pep talk
- Celebrate the 4th of July
- Eat more vegetables
- Make an end-of-summer bucket list
- Attend a baseball game
- Focus on one of your hobbies
- Relish your summer vacation
- Check on your finances
- Cut back on something
- Be kind to yourself
Next, to put some meat on the bones of these objectives for the month, let’s review these July goals individually. Number 10 is significant for me right now. It may be for you too. Either way, I will share more when we get there.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
1. Give Yourself A Daily Pep Talk
I’m a big believer in positive self-talk. So, get up in the morning and motivate yourself daily for success.
For example, say these positive phrases to yourself:
- It’s going to be a great day
- I will accomplish all of my goals today
- I’m fortunate for everything I have
- No challenge is too big for me to tackle
Make this process part of your morning routine. Repeat these phrases or others like them to yourself often.
Furthermore, if you hit a rough patch during the day, take time to regroup. For example, close your eyes and focus on your breath. While doing so, say to yourself, I can overcome this situation.
Finally, to conquer these examples of July goals for self-improvement, or any month for that matter, here’s a MasterClass I recommend:
How to Develop a Winning Mindset
Why is a winning mindset necessary? Well, here’s what one of my mentors says:
If you think you can do it, then YOU CAN DO IT!
2. Celebrate The 4th Of July
Next, take advantage of the 2nd major U.S. summer holiday. It’s a great time to get together with family and friends without the added pressure of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Consider all of your options on Independence Day, such as the following:
- Enjoy a barbecue
- Go to a parade
- Attend a fireworks display
- Visit a historical site
- Attend an outdoor concert
Or, if life has you a little worn down, relax and chill out in the air-conditioned comfort of your home. You may need a break and can use the extra day off to recharge your batteries.
Related post: 10 Goals to Have in June
3. Eat More Vegetables
I don’t know about you, but I should improve my nutrition during the summer. For example, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and a few ice-cold beers are good for me this time of the year.
Sound familiar? If yes, try to get a few more servings of vegetables on the menu and into your diet.
Salads are a great option during the summer. I’m lucky because my wife makes salads all of the time.
Or add some vegetables to the grill. They go well with whatever summer favorite you are cooking up.
Try grilling up some portabella mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, or asparagus. I love basting them with some Italian salad dressing for extra flavor.
Pardon me now while I check the grill. Just kidding. Let’s keep moving on these ideas for goals to set in July.
4. Make An End-Of-Summer Bucket List
Summer kicked into full swing last month. However, the season will be gone before you know it if you are not careful.
So, start your summer successfully and pursue the fun activities you dreamed about last winter. For me, nothing works better than making a bucket list of things I want to do.
To help with your summer bucket-list brainstorming, consider these July goal ideas:
- Have a picnic in the park
- Go to an amusement park
- Take a hike
- Swim in a lake
- Go fishing
- Spend more time on your patio
- Get out on your bike
- Go boating with your friends
5. Attend A Baseball Game
Summer days are a great time to treat yourself to a live baseball game. If you have a Major League Baseball (MLB) team nearby, buy some tickets and make a day of it.
Furthermore, pay attention to minor-league baseball options.
To attract people to their games, minor league teams often make the game day experience at the ballpark an entertaining event that includes more than baseball.
You will see all kinds of special events at minor league ballparks, including the following:
- Food truck rallies
- Car shows
- Fireworks displays
- Live music
- Entertaining mascots
- Games and contests
Okay. We are halfway through today’s monthly objectives to have. Specifically, ideas for July goals. Let’s continue.
6. Focus On One Of Your Hobbies
Have you let your interest in hobbies slip away? It’s easy to do with so much going on with work, school, and family.
Here are some hobby-related recommendations for your goals.
Cut back on your time spent on social media and television. Instead, put that time to good use in one of your hobbies.
If nothing else, do some work in your yard and garden. Make your outdoor space beautiful, then relax and enjoy it.
Or maybe you need to get back into your favorite hobbies from the past, such as:
- Photography
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Skateboarding
- Painting or drawing
- Doing volunteer work
- Reading a new book
The most important thing is choosing something you enjoy because you are likelier to stick with goals like this.
7. Relish Your Summer Vacation
Did you take my advice for setting April’s goals? If so, you planned a summer vacation, and it’s about time on the calendar to make your plans a reality.
First, leave it all behind and make the most of your well-deserved holiday. Furthermore, consider the following tips to make your vacation go as smoothly as possible.
Get organized. The week before you leave, put a list together of everything you want to take with you.
For example, I have a vacation packing list saved on my computer. The list includes everything I might need. However, not every item applies to every trip, so I cross those off as I pull together the necessary things.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Few vacations are perfect, so don’t let the inevitable inconveniences or little surprises get you down.
Roll with it. When the best-laid plans go astray, stay positive and adapt. Sometimes the unexpected will lead to the best experiences on your vacation.
Open up and enjoy the moment. Be present and detach from work and home as best you can.
Finally, be grateful for what you have. Let your mind wander and reflect. You may have some new and different inspiration when you return home.
So far, today’s list of July goal examples has been chiefly about enjoying the summer. So please allow me to switch gears and talk a little business. I’m talking about the business of self-discipline.
8. Check On Your Finances
Mid-year is the perfect time to check in on your money situation. So, remember your personal financial goals. You know, the ones you set at the beginning of the year to improve your wealth.
For example, your financial goals may have included:
- Review your budget
- Understand where you spend your money
- Save for a small investment
Summer fun can put a dent in your finances. But don’t put your head in the sand.
Instead, be realistic and objective. Live within your means.
9. Cut Back On Something
After checking on your finances, you may need to tighten your budget; if that is not the case, congratulations.
Otherwise, identifying a financial problem is the first step to getting on solid financial ground.
Even if your money situation is in good shape, it never hurts to make a little sacrifice. Doing so builds character and self-discipline and creates an environment for your long-term success.
Here are some ideas to consider to save money:
Rather than traveling this summer, take a staycation. Be creative and look for fun things to do near your home.
Furthermore, sometimes the best pursuits are free. For example, cut the gym membership, walk, jog, hike, and bike outdoors. Last I knew, those activities were free.
Finally, take a hard look at your subscription services. You can cut one out to save a little money.
Okay. Lastly, here is number 10 on today’s July goal-setting ideas. And my personal story about why this goal is near and dear to my heart.
More reading: Good Goals to Set in August
10. Be Kind To Yourself
Remember to cut yourself slack, no matter what month. As I said, this goal is significant for me this year.
Why?
Lately, I’ve had a few challenging months. My father’s health declined significantly starting in January, and he recently passed away.
My brother and I have had so much to do, including the following:
- Caring for him during his final months
- Planning and attending the funeral
- Cleaning out and listing his house for sale
- Selling his car
- Paying his bills
- Settling all his remaining affairs
As a result, I’ve had difficulty keeping up with my work, home, paying attention to my wife, and so much more.
However, I’ve been careful not to beat myself up over my shortcomings. Instead, I’m taking extra care to be kind to myself.
You may have had a rough start this year too. If so, make the month a new beginning by setting and achieving good July goals to have and set.
Okay. That’s all I have for today.
So, please allow me to wrap up with a few parting thoughts. And before I do, please save the image below to Pinterest so you can return later.
Setting Goals For July
There is no denying the facts. This year is half over. Thus, I recommend a strong focus on setting monthly goals.
Suppose the first half of the year was good for you. Congratulations! Then make the second half even better.
At the same time, if the year hasn’t met your expectations. Then set some July goals to turn your fortunes around.
That’s what I’m doing, and you can do so too!
Goals For Each Month
As you look out long term, you may also like to have plenty of ideas for monthly goals to support whatever it is you are trying to achieve.
To assist, here are ten goals for all the other months of the year.
Furthermore, are you ready for more goal-setting inspiration? If yes, check out all of my
Articles About Setting Goals for Success
Finally, I will leave you with this thought:
Make it a point to be better today than you were yesterday. And even better tomorrow than you are today. That’s continuous self-improvement in a nutshell.
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.