7 tips to develop personal goals at work successfully

Getting promoted was a big moment for me, and it all started with setting personal goals at work. This idea and its implementation increased my productivity, reduced my stress, and made me feel in control of my career.

Honestly, setting these goals wasn’t a hard task for me. I found it much more difficult to stay consistent and disciplined in pursuing them. The real challenge was maintaining the momentum and staying focused on my objectives amidst daily distractions and setbacks.?

Now, I want to share the tips and tools that helped me succeed. Let’s dive in.

Tip 1: Add good habits

I began by analyzing what I was lacking and what was hindering my progress. By identifying these areas, I could introduce good habits that improved my workflow and productivity. Small changes, like organizing my workspace or setting daily priorities, made a big difference.

Think about what habits would help you achieve more in your work. Maybe a walk in the middle of the day to clear your head? Or a lesson or two in a language learning app? Make a list of these things and gradually introduce them into your life.

I am happy I discovered Awesome Habits. This app helped me build new and break old habits.?

For example, Awesome Habits reminded me every day at 9 a.m. to make a to-do list for the day. Very convenient!?

Tip 2: Make better decisions

Making better decisions leads to better results. I wasn’t good at it. Then I realized that gathering and organizing data is key. I used the app Studies to keep and organize my notes.

For large PDF documents, PDF Search quickly helped me find the information I needed.

After completing my research, I used MindNode to create mind maps, which helped me organize my thoughts and make more accurate decisions.

Tip 3: Tame your email

Keeping your email inbox clean is a common struggle. Whether you’re a compulsive filer, someone who lets emails pile up, or rarely reads messages, we can all improve our email habits.

One approach is the "Getting Things Done" method: handle what you can immediately and file the rest, using reminders to manage your time.

I switched to Canary Mail, which has been a game-changer. It lets me pin, snooze, and organize emails easily, filter newsletters, and set expiration dates for sensitive information. This new email client has made managing my inbox much more efficient.

Tip 4: Get rid of the clutter

A desk covered in old papers, folders, and other debris is a distraction and an obstacle to productivity. The same goes for your Mac’s desktop. In fact, leaving lots of files and folders on your Mac actually slows it down. Resolve to keep your desktop, both physical and virtual, clear at the end of every working day.

If you don’t want to manually tidy your desktop at the end of each day, I recommend you use Spotless. The app sorts files on your desktop into designated folders automatically using the rules you set. Just drag and drop a group of files onto the app’s pop-up drawer in the Menu bar and get a prompt to set a rule for their organization. Scheduling regular automatic tidying up of your desktop makes keeping your workspace clean very easy.

Tip 5: Learn to touch type

My job involves spending a lot of time sitting in front of a screen and typing on a keyboard. Learning to type faster without looking at the keyboard has been a huge time saver for me. This skill, known as touch typing, allows me to focus on what I'm typing on the screen rather than looking down at the keyboard.

To improve my touch typing skills, I used KeyKey Typing Tutor. By spending just 15 minutes a day practicing, I noticed immediate benefits in my typing speed and accuracy. It has made my work more efficient and less tiring.

Tip 6: Be more focused

Staying focused for long periods can be tough, but it’s essential for getting more done. I found that making small, gradual improvements really helped me. Here’s what worked for me:

I started by choosing a task, deciding how long it should take, and setting a timer to stay focused for that time. I used the app Be Focused to help with this. It kept me on track and ensured I stayed focused.

To eliminate distractions, I used an app called Focus. It allowed me to block distracting websites and applications for set periods, helping me concentrate better.

These tools have made a huge difference in my productivity.

Tip 7: Don’t sweat the small stuff

I’ve learned that the key to getting more done during the workday is to automate as much of the repetitive work as possible. For example, if you regularly type the same opening to an email or any other passage of text, you can automate it so it’s typed at the touch of a key. I use Rocket Typist for this, and it saves me a lot of time.

When working with documents created by others, I often need to clean up unwanted characters. TextSoap has been a lifesaver for automating that process. Using these tools has freed me from small, repetitive tasks and allowed me to focus on more important work.

Final thoughts

Setting personal goals and using the right tools has significantly boosted my productivity and reduced stress. Throughout my journey, I found that automating repetitive tasks and staying focused were key factors in my success.

The apps I used, like Rocket Typist for automating text, TextSoap for cleaning up documents, Be Focused for managing time, and Focus for blocking distractions, have all been invaluable. I discovered these tools on Setapp, a subscription service that offers access to over 240 high-quality apps for macOS and iOS.

If you want to improve your workflow and achieve your goals more efficiently, consider exploring the tools available on Setapp. With the right resources, you can make your work life more productive and less stressful.