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Goal setting worksheet

A free one page goal setting worksheet. Write one goal, why it matters, three small steps, what might get in the way and how you will check in each week.

Updated 21 October 2026. Sources named on the page.

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  • Goal, reason and date fields
  • Three small steps
  • A plan for obstacles and a weekly check in
  • Free to print for yourself
The goal setting worksheet sheet in A4 size
Every claim names its sourceNothing you type is savedFree, no sign upFor adults aged 19 and overPrivate by default

What is on the sheet

  • Goal, reason and date fields
  • Three small steps
  • A plan for obstacles and a weekly check in

The picture shows the A4 goal setting worksheet. The US Letter version has the same layout.

How to use it

Choose one goal and make it specific. Write why it matters to you, then break it into three steps small enough to start this week. Name what might get in the way and how you will handle it.

A tip

One goal at a time works better than many. Review the sheet weekly and change the steps if they are not working. Changing the plan is not failing.

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One goal at a time

The sheet asks for one goal. Write it so you would know when it is done: "walk for twenty minutes four days a week" can be checked, "get fitter" cannot.

Then write why it matters to you. A reason you care about is what carries you through the dull weeks.

Make the steps small

Break the goal into three steps you could start this week. If a step feels heavy, split it again until the first one takes five minutes.

Write what might get in the way and what you will do if it does. A plan for the obstacle is a plan that survives it.

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Check in

Pick a day each week to look at the sheet. Tick off steps, adjust the ones that did not work and decide the next small move. Goals change, and changing one is not failing.

To turn a step into a daily habit, the habit tracker printable or the Daily Journal habit tracker will track it with streaks that allow rest days.

Questions

How many goals should I write?

One at a time. Finish or drop it before starting another.

What makes a good step?

One you can start this week and finish in a short time.

How big should my goal be?

Big enough to matter and small enough to start. If it feels daunting, shrink the first step.

Can I have more than one goal?

You can, but one worksheet per goal keeps each one clear. Most people do better with one to three at a time.

What if I give up on a goal?

Write down what you learned and start a new sheet. Dropping a goal that no longer fits is a decision, not a failure.

Keep going

Keep going after the goal setting worksheet

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