When was the last time you set a goal and stuck to a clear plan?
Unfortunately, goal-setting is an activity that starts strong, but then gets forgotten as the year progresses. This goes for all industries, but sex workers in particular are guilty of ignoring their goals — or not setting them in the first place.
But in 2023, we want to change this. We’re here to show you how to set goals and bring them to fruition. Whether you have financial goals, personal targets, or career aims, we’re looking at the top methods for sex workers to boost their lives in 2023.
- Where and how should you start setting goals?
- Top techniques and strategies for goal-setting
- How can sex workers create a community for focused goal-setting?
- What to consider when setting sex work goals
- The best resources for sex workers and goal-setting
- The takeaway: Why sex workers should set clear goals
Are you ready to jumpstart your year? Scroll down to see the best goal-setting tips and tricks that you can use this year. You’ll thank yourself in 2024!
Where and how should you start setting goals?
The hardest aspect of goals isn’t meeting them, it’s actually setting them up.
Like most challenges in life, taking the step of creating goals can feel daunting. This leads to many of us putting it off and leaving it until “next year”. But we’re not about this in 2023. We’re diving straight in, and so should you. So, let’s look at the best areas to set your goals in.
The most common goals focus on the following:
- Finances
- Career
- Self-development
- Self-care
- Retirement plans
- Relationships
You might want to dive in and set goals in all of these areas, but it’s best to take it slow and choose one at a time. For example, popular goals include making a certain amount of money or hitting a career milestone. It could even be staying on top of your admin — not a lofty goal, but absolutely an important one. If you chose one of these, it’s best to focus on only that category for the year.
However, if you feel financial/career goals are too stressful, you can also set softer goals that focus on improving your personal life. Carving out time for relaxation or exercise are good examples of this. Many also like to get goals of sleeping over eight hours a night or opting for healthier meals during the week.
The key element of goal-setting is to start small and grow with your goals. Setting a big goal off the bat might leave you feeling anxious, and you’ll actually be less likely to fulfil it.
Top techniques and strategies for goal-setting
Setting a goal isn’t as simple as just “writing it down”. Sometimes, tried and tested techniques can help you stay on track. Here are some popular methods sex workers can use to improve their progress in 2023.
SMART goal-setting
SMART goal-setting is a technique used to organise your yearly goals. In this method, SMART is an acronym that you apply to your goals to help you create meaningful objectives.
SMART stands for:
- Specific – Set goals with specific deadlines or numbers
- Measurable – Set goals that you can track
- Attainable – Work towards goals that you can actually achieve
- Realistic – Be honest with yourself and your potential
- Time-bound – Give all goals time parameters
The aim of this framework is to help you build goals that are achievable and not stressful. It’s also a great way to avoid vague goals or statements that you’ll forget over time.
Long-term & short-term goals
Another method you can use to start goal-setting is by separating your goals into long-term and short-term categories.
Forget trying to set lots of goals within the same time limit. Some aims will take longer than others, and it’s best to be honest about this. Financial and career-based goals tend to be long-term, whereas personal care goals work better as short-term ones.
Sit down and draw two columns. Place each goal and an estimated time limit on each side to help plan out your year. Keep checking back on this sheet to keep yourself accountable.
How can sex workers create a community for focused goal-setting?
Setting goals is a personal thing. However, sharing your wishes with like-minded people can keep you on track and accountable for your actions.
A great way to stay focused on your goals, especially if they’re career-based, is to get connected with other sex workers online. There are numerous online communities of sex workers out there, and these are safe spaces to chat with others about work, life, and everything in between.
A popular place to connect with fellow sex workers is r/SexWorkersOnly, a Reddit forum dedicated to providing an open forum and safe space for workers. No clients are allowed here.
What to consider when setting sex work goals
Are you planning on setting some goals? Make sure you consider some of these points before you commit to yearly aims.
Achieving a balance between work and personal life
Creating a life with balance should be a goal we’re all working towards — but it’s a goal that’s often forgotten.
This year, take a step back once you’ve selected your goals. Think about what it will really take to achieve these targets. Are these goals easy to achieve? Or will you be sacrificing your personal time to reach them?
If you think your goals might leave you feeling more stressed out, it’s advisable to take one or two off the list. Being adventurous is great, but not at the cost of your personal life. Creating time for yourself and your personal relationships should always be part of your routine.
Including mental health and self-care in goal-setting
Similarly to the prior point, mental health and self-care are parts of your life you shouldn’t neglect. If your goals come at the cost of mental clarity, it’s definitely time to change them.
Mental wellness is just as important as physical health. Without these aspects in check, you won’t be able to reach any external goals — nor will you be in a good space to work. So, in order to keep the rest of your life balanced, include self-care and mental well-being in your 2023 checklist.
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Using technology for goal-setting
Finally, technology could be the missing piece to your 2023 goal jigsaw puzzle.
Yes, online goal-setting software is available, and it does help you achieve your aims. From creating a simple Excel spreadsheet of your yearly objectives to purchasing an app that keeps you on track, developers are creating lots of different options for sex workers in 2023.
A popular option that we love is Notion. This workspace app allows you to enter your projects, plan your year, and write helpful notes to yourself. This app is free for personal use — ideal if you’re looking for a tech-based solution to inspire you this year.
The best resources for sex workers and goal-setting
Don’t run into 2023 goal-setting without checking out handy resources for sex work goal-setting!
It might be tempting to storm ahead on your own but checking out what other sex workers use and reading their accounts can help you optimise your goal-setting process.
The top resources sex workers should use for goal-setting include:
- Sex work blogs — Reading blogs from other sex workers can empower you to try out their methods. It will also help you understand what other industry professionals are doing this year, and you can transfer these goals to your work
- Forums — Getting active on sex worker forums won’t just help you make like-minded friends. You’ll also be able to discuss your goals with them, and you might learn a few extra tips and tricks from real people. This feels much more personal, and there’s a possibility of long-term friendships
- Generic goal-setting content – While it can be tempting to focus on sex work-specific resources, general goal-setting content can be helpful, too. This includes any goal-setting articles made for general audiences, academia, or corporate goal-setting. Freelance goal-setting blogs can be helpful for sex workers, especially when it comes to the admin side of running your own business. You never know what tips you’ll pick up
The takeaway: Why sex workers should set clear goals
Goal-setting is all about expanding your horizons and overcoming obstacles — and this can easily be applied to sex work. From keeping yourself healthy while working to broadening your client base, there are many goals for sex workers to aspire to.
Will you be using any of these tips this year? We hope these tips have inspired you to set your 2023 goals! Good luck, we know you’ll smash them this year.
