Behind the Scenes: My Goal-Setting Strategy As A Work-From-Home Website Designer

As a website designer for small service-based businesses running a digital agency from home, staying productive isn’t just about good time management, it’s about setting goals that actually make sense.

I’ve experimented with endless to-do lists, habit trackers and fancy productivity apps, but none of them stuck, until I adapted and refined my own simplified method.

I call it the 3x3x3 goal-setting strategy. It’s not fancy, but it works. It’s been the most effective way for me to manage client work, grow my business and stay focused.

This article takes you behind the scenes of how I use this strategy as a solo website designer and how you can apply it to your own business, whether you’re building websites, managing a household, running a side hustle or just trying to stay on top of everything without losing your mind.

 

Why Traditional Goal Setting Didn’t Work for Me

When I first started Ivory Websites, I tried too many productivity ‘hacks’: habit trackers, time tracking, productivity apps and more and more. The problem? They were either too rigorous or too vague.

Some days I had the energy to smash through my list. Other days? Just getting through emails felt like a win. What I needed wasn’t a better app. I needed a better goal setting strategy that gave me clarity and direction without the overwhelm.

So, I refined my own.

 

The 3x3x3 Goal Setting Strategy Explained

This method is simple:

• 3 months (90 days)
• 3 categories (I use: wealth, health, happiness)
• 3 goals per category

But wait there’s more…

You start by deciding on 3 areas of your life or business you want to focus on over the next 90 days. Then, you set 3 realistic goals for each category. That’s 9 total goals, achievable, not overwhelming.

Here’s an example of what a category could look like:

Health:

1. 3 morning walks per week
2. Book and go to dentist appointment
3. Drink 2L of Water per day

The power of this system is in its simplicity. It helps me as a website designer balance delivery, growth and personal life, without letting one area completely take over.

 

How I Track My Goals

Once I have my 9 goals, I break each one down into tiny, specific tasks.

For Example: 3 morning walks per week might break down into,

• Choose the days I want to walk
• Set calendar reminders
• Create a playlist of podcasts for the walks
• Set out shoes and water bottle the night before
• Buy new laces for my runners

This is just a simple example, but the idea is to break down seemingly big projects into small manageable tasks.

I store these in Google Keep, grouped by category or whatever grouping makes sense for you. I like it because it’s visual, syncs across my phone and laptop and doesn’t distract me with 50 features I don’t need. It’s just my running to-do list.

Each week, I pull 1-3 micro-tasks from each goal and add them to my calendar or my daily to-do list. This way, I’m always moving forward on my set goals, even if it’s just one step at a time.

Getting Out of Overwhelm with a Simple Goal Setting Strategy

The biggest benefit? It gets me out of mental clutter. Having a clear, limited set of goals gives me direction when I feel scattered. It’s helped me get out of overwhelm and stay consistent, even during busy or unmotivated weeks.

Instead of chasing everything at once, I just look at my Google Keep. What’s one thing I can move forward today?

This system has changed everything for me.

 

Making Goal Setting Work for WAHMs

If you’re a mum balancing kids, business, or part-time work, this strategy is even more powerful. Your categories might include family routines, part-time income goals, or personal self-care.

Instead of setting huge goals, start with small wins like “prep school lunches ahead,” or “reach out to one potential client.”

The beauty of 3x3x3 is that it adapts to your life season, whatever that looks like.

Adapting When Things Don’t Go to Plan

Life happens! Especially when you’re working from home. Some weeks I miss a walk or fall behind on a goal. When that happens, I simply adjust.

I look at what didn’t work, ask why, and either break the goal down further or shift it to a more realistic pace. This method isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress.

By keeping your focus areas small and your tasks flexible, you can get back on track quickly without guilt.

 

You Can Start Your Goal Setting Today

Here’s how you can implement the 3x3x3 method right now:

1. Choose 3 focus areas (e.g., health, client work, family)
2. Set 3 clear goals for each (they can be small goals)
3. Break each into small, doable tasks
4. Track them in a simple app like Google Keep or a notebook
5. Review weekly: What’s working? What needs adjusting?

You don’t need a perfect plan, just one that makes sense to you. The 3x3x3 method is flexible, sustainable and actually usable.

 

Ready to Start Setting Your Goals?

Being a website designer working from home means wearing a lot of hats. You’re the creator, the manager, the marketer and the client support. The 3x3x3 goal setting strategy gives me a way to manage it all without drowning in it.

If you’re looking for a simple system to keep your business (and brain) organised, give it a try.

You’ve got this. Start with one small step and let that build into momentum.