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Personal DevelopmentAchievementHow to Set and Prioritize Your Goals Using a Simple Three-Step Technique
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How to Set and Prioritize Your Goals Using a Simple Three-Step Technique

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How to Set and Prioritize Your Goals Using a Simple Three-Step Technique

Goal-setting is one of the most powerful ways to transform your life. Whether you’re looking to improve your productivity, achieve personal milestones, or simply make more time for what matters, setting clear and actionable goals is essential. But let’s face it—goal-setting can sometimes feel overwhelming. With so many priorities competing for our attention, it’s easy to feel stuck or unsure of where to begin. (Trust me, it’s a real struggle!)

That’s why I’ve created a simple, yet highly effective goal-setting technique that has helped me stay focused and prioritize the tasks that truly matter. The “I Need To, I Have To, I Want To” framework is a straightforward method for breaking down your goals into manageable, prioritized tasks—no more confusion or burnout. By categorizing your goals based on their urgency and importance, you can take control of your time, increase your productivity, and, most importantly, set yourself up for success.

Set your Monthly Goals with these 3 simple steps

How the “I Need To, I Have To, I Want To” Method Works

1. “I Need To...” (Highest Priority)

Tasks in this category are non-negotiable and critical for your personal or professional well-being. They are essential to your overall progress and must be completed to ensure that you’re staying on track with your goals.

  • Examples:
    • Work deadlines (e.g. completing a major project or meeting a client deadline)
    • Study deadlines (e.g. completing an online course before the next scheduled payment)
    • Important personal matters (e.g. taking care of your physical, mental or social health)

2. “I Have To...” (Medium Priority)

These tasks are important but don’t require immediate attention. They are necessary for long-term progress and organization, but you can schedule them around your more urgent “I Need To” tasks without much risk to your overall well-being.

  • Examples:
    • Updating your resume (e.g. ensuring your resume is current and ready for opportunities)
    • Monthly financial planning (e.g. reviewing your budget and setting aside money for savings or investments)
    • Routine home maintenance (e.g. cleaning out the attic or organizing the garage)
    • Researching career opportunities (e.g. exploring new job openings or career certifications)

3. “I Want To...” (Lowest Priority)

These tasks aren’t urgent, but they add personal enrichment and satisfaction to your life. While they can improve your overall well-being and happiness, they are non-essential and can often be postponed or skipped if time runs short.

  • Examples:
    • Personal hobbies (e.g. painting, knitting, or learning a musical instrument)
    • Entertainment activities (e.g. binge-watching a TV show or going to the movies)
    • Catch up with friends (e.g. meet up with friends that you haven’t contacted in a while)
    • Reading for pleasure (e.g. enjoying a novel or magazine)
    • Traveling for leisure (e.g. weekend getaways or planning vacations)
How to achieve your goals with these 4 tips

How to Implement the “I Need To, I Have To, I Want To” Technique in Your Monthly Goal-Setting

Breaking Down Your Goals

When you set your big goals for the month, the next step is to break them down into actionable tasks. By categorizing these tasks into “I Need To,” “I Have To,” and “I Want To” groups, you can give yourself a clear roadmap to follow throughout the month. This process allows you to prioritize effectively, ensuring that your most important and urgent goals take precedence, while also making space for personal satisfaction and growth. Here’s how to break down your goals:

Start with your big goals: Write down everything you want to achieve in the upcoming month.

Divide them into categories:

  • “I Need To” tasks are those that are essential to your progress, such as hitting a project deadline or attending to a health issue.
  • “I Have To” tasks are necessary but less time-sensitive, like updating your resume or managing your finances.
  • “I Want To” tasks are the enjoyable or enriching activities that you can work on when time allows, such as starting a new hobby or reading a book for pleasure.

List out 3 actions to progress: Write down the next 3 steps that you should take in order for you to progress towards your goal. Keep it simple and actionable.

Re-evaluate often: As you move through the month, reassess your goals and tasks. Some “Want To” items might evolve into “Need To” tasks as your priorities shift, and it’s important to remain flexible.

Personal Examples of Monthly Goals:

In November 2024, I made these my monthly goal:

1. I need to finish the Digital Marketing Online Course

I started a Digital Marketing course to obtain a certificate but it was nearing the end of 2024. To save cost, I had to complete it before the end of the year so I made it my top priority to finish the remaining classes.

My next 3 steps after setting this goal was clear.

  • Map out how much time I have left and how many classes I need to take. Then I will spread out the milestones (or deadlines) evenly.
  • Follow the schedule and finish the assignments on time.
  • Review what I have learnt and make sure I stay on track.

This is the results:

Coursera Cert for Digital Marketing

2. I have to improve my mental health

I was struggling to keep my mental health in check. I knew I was slowly spiraling out of control when I fell out of my usual routine. So after acknowledging this, I made it my second priority (because it wasn’t as urgent but is still quite important).

My next 3 steps were:

  • Read “The 5-minute Therapy” Book that I have been holding off for a while
  • Journal and reflect on my feelings to track improvement
  • Meditate regularly for 5 minutes a day to help stabilize my emotions (even 5 minutes count!)
5-Minute Therapy book

3. I want to get better at ice-skating

Recently, I put down a small fund on the side for me to learn the things that I’ve always wanted to but never had the “time” or “money” for it. And to my surprise, I finally mustered the courage to take my first ice-skating class at my mid-late 20s. With the students’ age averaging at 10 years old, I’d say I was quite out of place. 

What I needed to do were clear:

  • Look for an ice-skating class and sign up
  • Show up for the class
  • Practice what I’ve learnt on my own

Conclusion: Achieve Your Goals with the "I Need To, I Have To, I Want To" Method

Goal-setting is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. By incorporating the “I Need To, I Have To, I Want To” method into your monthly goal-setting process, you can create a clear, manageable action plan that prioritizes the most important tasks. This method helps you focus on what truly matters, whether it’s the urgent tasks that impact your well-being or the ones that bring you joy and fulfillment.

By breaking down your goals into these three categories and applying a structured approach to tackle them, you can make consistent progress without feeling overwhelmed. Remember, the key is to recognize that not everything needs to be done at once. Prioritize what’s most important and let the rest fall into place over time.