Setting Better Goals as a Remote Worker: A Simple 3-Step System

Hey there! 👋

I spent my first year of remote work feeling constantly busy. However, I never really accomplished anything meaningful. My to-do list was endless, but at the end of each week, I couldn’t point to any significant progress.

Sound familiar?

It wasn’t until I had a brutal performance review that I realized the problem: I was confusing motion with progress. I was checking off tasks but not moving toward any clear objectives. Without the natural structure of an office environment, I’d lost sight of what actually mattered.

That’s when I discovered that remote work doesn’t just require different communication skills. It requires a completely different approach to goal setting.

Why Traditional Goal Setting Fails Remote Workers 🎯

Here’s what I learned the hard way: The goal-setting approaches that work in traditional offices often fall flat. They do not work effectively when you’re working from home.

In an office, you get constant feedback from colleagues, impromptu check-ins with your manager, and visual cues about priorities. When I worked in a 911 call center it was collaborative. At home, you’re flying solo most of the time. Remote professionals thrive on clear and achievable goals to maintain focus, motivation, and productivity in their unique careers.

Without this external structure, vague goals like “improve performance” or “be more productive” become meaningless. You need goals that can guide your decisions when no one’s watching.

The 3-Step Remote Goal-Setting System

After studying what actually works for remote workers and testing it with my own career, I developed this simple system that’s transformed how I approach my work:

Step 1: The Focus Filter

Start by identifying your top 3 priorities for the quarter. Not 5, not 10—just 3. These should be outcomes that would make a real difference in your role or career.

Ask yourself: “If I could only accomplish 3 things in the next 90 days, what would move the needle most?”

Write these down and keep them visible. I put mine on a sticky note next to my monitor.

Step 2: The SMART Translation

I just learned about SMART goals. Take each priority and transform it into a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. To save time, I created a template and keep it in my personal SharePoint files. My boss loved my SMART goals so much, she asked me to share it with my colleagues.

Try to change “improve client relationships” to a more specific goal. Aim to “increase client retention rate from 85% to 90% by the end of Q2.” Accomplish this through monthly check-in calls with each client.

The key is making your goals so specific that you’ll know exactly when you’ve achieved them.

Step 3: The Weekly Reality Check

Every Friday, spend 15 minutes reviewing your progress. Ask yourself:

• What did I accomplish this week that moved me closer to my goals?
• What obstacles did I encounter?
• What needs to change next week?

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about staying connected to your priorities when the daily chaos tries to pull you off course. I started emailing my boss with my wins to keep myself on their radar.

Your Challenge This Week 🚀

Right now, before you do anything else, write down your top 3 priorities for the next 90 days. Don’t overthink it—just brain dump what feels most important.

Then pick one priority and turn it into a SMART goal using the framework above. Just one. You can come back to the others later.

The goal isn’t to revolutionize your entire approach to work this week. It’s to create one clear target that can guide your decisions when you’re feeling scattered.

What’s one area where you’ve been spinning your wheels lately? What would real progress look like there?

Hit reply and share your biggest challenge with staying focused while working remotely. I love hearing about what people are working on, and sometimes an outside perspective can help clarify what matters most.

If you like this post, check out: How to run an effective remote 1 on 1 meeting

You’ve got this, Tim.

P.S. That brutal performance review I mentioned? It was actually a gift. My manager pointed out that I was great at executing tasks but terrible at strategic thinking. Now I use this 3-step system. It ensures I’m always working on the right things. I focus on not just the urgent things. The difference has been night and day.