7 Cool Tools To Help You Manage Your Goals for 2008
December 28, 2007
It’s the time of the year to review our goals and set new ones again.
For those new to A Long Long Road, I’m a firm believer in making New Year Resolutions and setting goals. When I first started setting goals, I did it with simple, old paper and pen. Later, I typed my goals into Word documents. After a few years, I moved on to goal setting/tracking software.
Goals management tools are really important to help us set goals and track them. With good tools to facilitate good goals, you’ll have a better chance of achieving them. As such, I went scouring the Internet for goal management tools for different types of users.
Below is a list of 7 tools that I think are really useful. Whether you are IT-savvy or not, you will find something useful to help you achieve your goals in 2008.
FREE TOOLS
They say that “you get what you pay for”. In my search for goals management tools, this statement seems to true. The free tools are usually simpler in features and you can’t do much complex stuff with them. Having said that, I believe they still have their place with users who prefer simplicity or are simply looking for something free to start off with:
-
Five Minute Organizer - A very simple planning template using plain old paper and pen. The Word template can be printed out into index cards which can be carried around in your wallet. Comes with templates for managing projects, appointment, contacts, brainstorming ideas and today’s goals.-
It’s good for those who are only comfortable with the manual way of managing information using paper and pen.
-
It’s easy and straightforward for simple task management. However, too many loss cards can get confusing once your tasks’ complexity increase.
-
The best part about it is that it’s free.
-
-
Joe’s Online Goal Tracking Tool - A simple online tool that allows you to set recurring tasks. Tracking of task accomplishment is easily done by clicking on the calendar day. The more clicks you have means the more you have done for that goal on that day.-
Simple and FREE signup to get started.
-
Set recurring goals and share them with friends to motivate yourself on your progress.
-
Ease of access - online tool.
-
Also comes with Joe’s logbook to journal about your life and activities.
-
Perfect for those who want simplicity in goal tracking.
-
-
Nozbe - Getting Things Done - A slightly more advanced tool than Joe’s Tracking Tool. I think the best part is that it can group task into logical projects which is really useful for mid-term goals that requires a set of related actions to achieve. At the same time, it can setup context for tasks so that you can group tasks together when they fit into the same context.-
Ease of access- online tool.
-
Has multiple subscription schemes which includes a FREE subscription with limitation of 5 projects. You can signup for a paid subscription if you need more.
-
Relate tasks together using projects and contexts.
-
Can attached project-related files and resources to projects, handy for keeping information together.
-
PREMIUM TOOLS
The premium tools comes at a price, but mostly for good reasons. They support a much wider range of features and are more suitable if you are really serious about tracking your goals and using these tools to guide your daily activities:
-
GoalAchiever - This is an interesting one. Very suitable for Law of Attraction fans or if you are the visual type for self-motivations. It has a wizard that guides you in setting your goals and associate them with an image of your choice. The goals and image are then set as your desktop wallpaper to serve as a constant reminder of your goals.-
Not exactly my typical type of goal management tool but can certainly serve a niche audience who are into stuffs like vision-boards.
-
Also comes with an optional screen-saver for even more visual motivations.
-
Price at US$19.95 (free trial available).
-
-
GoalPro 2008 - This is a really cool-looking one and it comes with a very cool interface as well. It has a great range of features with wizard that guides you in setting your goals.-
Success tree allows you to manage major goals, goals and daily tasks. This is a really important feature that allows you to tie daily activities back to your long-term goals.
-
Calendar allows scheduling of tasks and activities.
-
Comes with a daily journal to note your thoughts and reflections.
-
Scratchpad for brainstorming. Really useful to crystallize and note down your thoughts on vague goals.
-
Comes with reports and graph to clearly indicate your progress.
-
A very cool wizard that guides you through a goals setting process. Very useful if you are new to goals setting.
-
Even though it does a lot of stuff, it is still very easy to learn and use. I guess they took some careful considerations into the interface design and usability of the software.
-
I feel it’s a shame that it doesn’t have any OutLook synchronization feature.
-
Hefty price of US$89.95 (free trial available).
-
-
Achieve Planner - This one looks almost like MS Project. It has a lot of complex features to support the full range of goals management activities from brainstorming, goals setting, scheduling, tracking, monitoring and reporting. This is a fairly complex tool that takes some getting use to. Suitable to seasoned users who are experienced with goals setting and project management.-
Setting of goals according to different dimensions of your life e.g. Family, Friends, Financial, Spiritual, Work etc.
-
Task priority.
-
Weekly and daily planning.
-
Task tracking.
-
Automatic scheduling.
-
Synchronization with MS OutLook (really cool).
-
Comes in 3 editions: Standard, Pro and Productivity Suite.
-
Price range from US$59 to $119.
-
-
Franklin Covey PlanPlus for Windows And OutLook - I’m saving my favorite for last. This is a tool that I have personally used for years. It is based on Stephen R. Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. There are wizards for creating mission statements and balancing different aspects of our lives - physical, spiritual, social and mental. One version even integrates into MS OutLook so you can access your emails, appointments, tasks all in one place. Really neat!-
Comes with wizards for mission statement creation.
-
Goals setting and tracking.
-
Project management.
-
PowerNotes for journal taking.
-
A weekly planner call Compass.
-
Comes in 2 version: one integrated into Outlook as an addin and the other as a Windows standalone desktop application.
-
Price range from US$49.95 to $99.95
-
Ok, that’s it! That’s the 7 goals management tools I have shortlisted.
If you are considering spending money to buy the premium stuff, I like to recommend that you check out 10 Considerations When Investing In Premium Goal Setting Software. My experience with the increased in productivity says that the money is worth spending. However, you still need to be prudent to make sure you get something that is suitable for your needs. My friend, Ellesse has listed some good considerations which should start you off in the right direction.
In all cases, whenever possible, get a free trial download first before committing your dollars. The little bit of time and money spend upfront will be worth it later down the road.
I know there are certainly more goals management tools out there and if you know any, please share with us in the comments.
PS: I am not an affiliate of any of these tools, so the recommendations are purely my own and not favored towards anyone.
(Photo by Kathy Marie Perez)
How can you not include http://rememberthemilk.com? Probably the best personal task management tool out there.
Hi Rob, wow! This looks like something that I have missed, and I must certainly check it out. Thanks for the mention.
Great list, Lawrence.
The tool I use is MyLife Organized. Not a goal setting tool per se, but a general-purpose task outliner. Fast, simple yet full of features, perfect for GtD, available for Windows Mobile and with a great community around it. After I found it I stopped looking.
Hi Luciano,
thanks for the recommendation as well. I will check it out.
BTW, thanks to another recommendation of yours, I’m using FreeMind now. It’s such an amazing tool and I love it. Even better is that fact that it’s free! Thanks.
I’m using it to brainstorm my new year resolutions now.
thanks a universe lawrence.
i was really reviewing my goal tracking habits and wanted some electronic package to help me with reminders. your post is indeed a great christmas gift that i’ll cherish for years to come and would imbibe this healthy habit when i have children in future.
this post has surely made a lot of difference to my life. thanks and warm regards.
You’re very welcome Opus-orangerie.
I’m glad that you find it useful. Happy New Year to you and all the best to your goals for 2008.
Great article - many thanks.
Hi Keith, you’re welcome.
What a useful post! Thank you for taking the time to put together a post that can help any of us get more organized and productive. You have a new subscriber.
Hi Mike,
Welcome to A Long Long Road. Glad that the list is useful for you. Hope that you’ll use one of these tools to start 2008 in great footing.
Happy New Year!
Hey Lawrence, Excellent list! And thanks for the shout out to one of my article!
Cheers,
Ellesse
Hi Ellesse,
You’re welcome. Your article complement mine just nicely, and it’s well-written of course
Have a Happy New Year, and I hope GoalSetting College will fly to the next level in 2008.
[…] are IT-savvy or not, you will find something useful to help you achieve your goals in 2008.”read more | digg […]
[…] on finance, relationships, and again success and productivity material. A recent post would be 7 Tools to help manage your goals in 2008. More Bliss, Success, and Love? Subscribe for […]
I’d like to suggest BackPack. Although it’s much more of an online task organiser than a goal setting service, it certainly can be used to help you list and track your aims. I do use its free version, with great results.
Very useful article. Stumbled and bookmarked at del.icio.us.
I didn’t know any of the tools you mentioned, so I thank you for sharing their links.
Hi Karen Zara,
Welcome to A Long Long Road, I hope you’ll return often
Thanks for the recommendation, I will check it out as well.
Have a great year ahead and Happy New Year!
Awww man! You just put my spreadsheets to shame! What if I color code them. Does that make it more legit?
Hi Little Dough Girl,
Spreadsheets are still great tools too. I have a post coming up using Excel to track goals, so don’t feel bad about it
Happy New Year and I saw your New Year resolutions. I hope you’ll use these tools to make your goals come true.
[…] Here are 7 cool tools that will help you manage your goals for this New year. […]
Great list of tools. The trick is to take the time to ‘master’ one of them and make using it, a habit. The benefits can far outweigh the time invested in learning the new tool. I have shared with my customers, so thanks again.
Andrew
Hi GreatManagement.
Valid point and thanks for highlighting it. I share your sentiments. So of these tools do take some time to master them, but the productivity gains and benefits in return usually outweigh the initial investments.
At least, in my experience, it has been so.
Happy New Year to you!
Thanks for this great productivity tool and planner list and tips Lawrence. Where do you come up with all these great ideas? Anyway, I’ve noted and bookmarked all of them. All I have to do now is learn how to use my iPhone so it can read everything back to me before I forget them just like my new years resolutions — which, by the way, I have already forgotten. Wishing you a prosperous and another successful year Sir Lawrence
I remain.
Haha Gil,
Always great to have you and your humor around. Good luck with your new toy - iPhone (I’m green with envy already) and have a great 2008!
Happy New Year!
Just dropping by to wish you a very Prosperous and Successful year 2008 !!!
May ALL your dreams and desire come true.
Best Wishes
Gamy
Hi Gamy,
Thanks for your well-wishes. Happy New Year to you too.
[…] the year is easier if you follow a systematic process to guide your actions. Before I started using professional software tools , I planned my resolutions into MS Outlook and track them using MS Excel. It had been really […]
[…] are, and Lawrence from A Long Long Road has some excellent recommendations. His recent blog titled 7 Cool Tools To Help You Manage Your Goals for 2008 has a tool to fit just about everyone. From a simple, but effective paper and pencil solution to […]
[…] Lawrence from A Long Long Road has some excellent recommendations. His recent blog titled 7 Cool Tools To Help You Manage Your Goals for 2008 has a tool to fit just about everyone. From a simple, but effective paper and pencil solution to […]
If you want a visual goal management tool that’s really easy to use check out Goalscape - www.goalscape.com. Free trial, video intro and tutorials; Goalscape also comes with a set of templates for standard uses.