Having a tool to track progress has always been a common practice for almost every business, regardless of its kind. These defined goals will help business owners and managers to better decide which direction they want to go and what they need to accomplish this objective.

This tool, called the goal tracker template, can have different types and features to better adapt to your final goal and given period.

In this article, we will show you how to make the perfect goal-setting template for your objectives, whether it's a financial goals worksheet or just a document for daily tasks. Follow each step carefully, and you will definitely be able to create a worksheet that allows you to achieve goals way easier.

When you create measurable or intangible goals, you must find a way to keep track of their progress and what you need to achieve them. This is where the goals spreadsheet comes in handy.

The goal chart template is a document that allows you to list these numerous objectives, whether measurable goals or not, and keep track of not only their progress but also what you need to do next. For this to work, your professional development plan must be well-structured and feature the right items.

There are multiple reasons why a goal tracker is recommended for your business and personal life. Any business or personal objective requires these milestones and goals to serve as a guide for turning these desires into reality.

Moreover, these goals also help to keep us focused on our objectives. Especially when creating challenging goals, we sometimes get demotivated to continue, and having a document where you can see your progress helps to avoid this situation.

Along with that, having the possibility to visualize your progress also allows you to decide the most optimized way to reach your objectives and decide which are your top priorities. This way, finishing everything before the goal completion date becomes much more accessible.

Before creating your template, it is crucial to understand that there are some expressive differences between personal and business goals. Knowing these differences will help you decide which type will better suit your needs and also allow you to create a document that generates more precise results.

Here are the differences between these two types:

Personal Goals

As the name suggests, these goals regard items related to your personal life. When you set goals for this kind of template, they can be either long-term or short-term goals.

For example, it is common to see goals regarding weight loss and buying a new car. In this kind of template, the document is usually personal and not shared with others or third parties.

Business Goals

On the other hand, business goals are usually shared with team members and third parties, like stakeholders, for example. It usually features long-term goals, like yearly goals.

These items are usually regarding a desired outcome or position on the market that the company wants to achieve.

There are multiple types of documents that you can have when it comes to the creation of goal trackers. Each one will feature a different time space, and knowing which kind to use will contribute to a better experience.

Here are the main types of goals template:

Weekly Goals Template

The weekly goals document sets items that must be completed by the end of a seven days time period. This is a very common type of goal tracker and is typically used by companies that work with sales.

You can have either a recurrent goal setting that will repeat every week or completely new goals. They are usually related to financial goals, with items dedicated to sales volume and the number of clients, for example.

Monthly Goals Template

Another common type of goal worksheet is the monthly template. These documents create goal-tracking lists with an interval of 30 days to be completed. It is also more typically used in the business universe but can also be used for specific goals regarding personal objectives.

It can have separate sections each week or a single section for the entire month. It is an ideal template type for knowing what to do next and the right direction to follow in the next month for better results.

Yearly Goals Template

The template for yearly goals is one of the most used documents for long-term goals in business and personal lists. They are usually more complex tasks that will feature a goal description of what you need to do and how to achieve this goal in the stipulated time.

This worksheet will feature the action steps and a description of each item for a better understanding of optimizing this process as much as possible.

Daily Goals Template

Daily tasks are more common in personal goals, but they can also be used in the business world for specific objectives. The goal setting for this kind of template is very similar to a to-do list and will feature simple tasks that can be completed within hours.

It doesn’t need a progress tracker since you’ll only have simple goals. It is the perfect kind of document for house chores, for example.

When you have a long and complex goal that you must deal with, the S.M.A.R.T. tracker might be the perfect solution for you. It is a methodology created primarily to deal with these complex tasks.

The main focus of this type of template is to use this methodology to create a clear and structured plan to accomplish your objective. The S.M.A.R.T methodology says your goal must have five obligatory characteristics: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time.

Once you define these characteristics in your goal, you can start working on it. This way, in the end, you will have a result that generates visible positive results in your business.

Now that you know what a goal tracker is and its main types, it is time to see how you can create your own document for tracking one or more goals. Follow each step correctly to ensure the best results at the end,

Every detail makes a distinct difference in the final result. Here are the main steps for the creation of a goal-tracking template:

Choose the Type of Goal Tracker

Before creating the document itself, you must choose which type of goal setting best fits your needs. Decide between the types above, and from that, you can start adding categories and fields.

When making monthly goals or any other kind, choose a type that allows you to make a printable goal tracker. This way, you can easily access the document.

Assign the Final Date

After choosing your goal setting, you must assign the due date of your goals. This will be based on the type of template you will be using.

If you are creating monthly goals, your due date will be 30 days from the created date. You can also create personalized periods of time depending on the main objective and its specific needs.

List the Goals

Next, you need to make a list of all your goals. It is highly recommended that you don’t do it in a random order.

You can list related items next to each other or make a list based on the priority level of each one. This way, your document will not only look more organized, but you will also know what you need to focus on to achieve your main objective.

Create a Field for Description

After listing all your items, you must leave a blank space to describe each one when necessary. More complex tasks and goals will often need further explanation of steps and specific details required for completion.

In templates with simple tasks, like a daily goal tracker, this is optional. It is an optional item that can help, especially when the document is shared with more participants.

Add a Space for Additional Notes

Creating blank spaces for notes and observations is also great practice when making your goal tracker. It makes your template even clearer and more complete in case someone needs to read it.

This space can be used to write about anything related to the goals or primary objective. You don’t necessarily need to use it, but it is always helpful to have it in case.

If you want to create the best goal chart possible, this is for you. Here are some tips you can use to make your template even more effective and optimized.

Make Both Online and Printable Versions

Having a printable goal tracker is the best way to go. This way, you can have a physical document to visualize your progress and keep you focused. You will also have the digital version that allows you to access it from anywhere on almost any device.

Using Microsoft Excel for this is the best way to go. You will find tons of options and an enormous compatibility with devices.

Keep It Always Updated

If you want your document to truly reflect your progress and show you the following steps, you need to keep it continually updated. Make the necessary changes as soon as you complete any goal or make progress in them.

This way, your document will precisely show where you are in the overall progress and how much time you have left until the objective's deadline.

Keep a Routine

When trying to reach an objective, nothing is better than keeping a routine dedicated to this goal. Save some time during your day to dedicate exclusively to accomplishing this milestone.

The secret for this to work is not to work as much as you can but to keep a consistent routine.

Staying consistent is more important than the amount of time you will dedicate. Doing this will help you reach the goal much faster.

Create Clear Communication

If you are creating a template for a business that is going to be shared with multiple people, your communication must be clear so anyone can understand what’s in the document. Prioritize only information that is strictly necessary for the members to understand what will be done next and the instructions to complete the goal. This way, your document can easily be understood by everyone.

When it comes to the creation of goal trackers, there are tons of tools available. From known programs to specialized software, each one has its own tools and features.

Among all the options available, we highly recommend using Microsoft Excel for this task. It is one of the most complete software tools and an industry-standard, dismissing the need for extra programs.

You can find a Microsoft Office activation key at RoyalCDKeys for an exceptionally low price. This way, you get access to the tool and save money.

If you don’t want to create the template for your current goals from scratch, don’t worry. Here are some examples you can download and use in your business or personal life.

Make sure to edit them using MS Excel to fit your needs better. This way, it will look and perform better.

Template #1

 S.M.A.R.T. template for goals and objectives. A template that follows the SMART methodology dedicated to complex projects and long-term goals.

Get this template

Template #2

Simple goal tracker document. It can be used for either personal or business goals from all settings.

Get this template

Template #3

Weekly goal tracker. Template for tracking multiple goals in the period of seven days. This model is more indicated for personal goals;

Get this template

Goal setting is vital in pursuing a significant objective in your job or personal life. The goals tracker is the perfect tool to ensure that you will keep focused on your objective and that you achieve it in the most effective way possible.

For this to work, your template must be carefully made. Be sure to include all the information needed.

Now that you know everything you need, it is time to start creating your goal tracker template. At the end of the process, you will have a document that positively impacts every aspect of your process of achieving them.