Setting & Achieving Goals

You’re capable of achieving anything you put your mind to.

We all have dreams and things we want to accomplish, but let’s be honest.. sometimes it can feel like those goals are just out of reach. We set them, get excited about them, but then... life happens. Whether it’s procrastination, distractions, or just the overwhelming nature of big dreams, achieving our goals can seem like a constant battle.

You’ve probably heard it a million times: “Set goals if you want to succeed.” Without clear goals, we can easily feel lost or stuck.

Setting goals has several key benefit like:

Provides focus. Goals help you prioritize what’s important and filter out distractions.

Boosts motivation. When you have a clear goal in mind, you’re more likely to stay motivated and take action.

Gives you direction. A goal helps you map out the path to your dreams and creates a clear path for how to get there.

Measures progress. Goals give you something to measure your growth, helping you track your progress.

Setting a goal is easy, but setting a goal that’s achievable and meaningful takes a bit more thought. 

Your goal should be clear and well-defined. Instead of saying “I want to be healthier,” say “I want to exercise for 30 minutes three times a week.”

There should be a way to track your progress. For example, “I want to save $500” or “I want to read 12 books this year.”

Make sure your goal is realistic given your current circumstances. Stretch goals are great, but don’t set yourself up for failure with an unattainable goal. That will just put a damper on your goals and put more of a setback with the mindset of “I can’t do this.”

Set a deadline. Without a timeline, it’s easy to let things drag on.

For example, instead of a vague goal like “get fit,” your goal would look something like: “I’ll run 3 miles every week for the next 2 months to improve my overall health.”

One of the biggest reasons people don’t achieve their goals is that they feel too overwhelming. 

Start with the big picture. Look at your goal as a whole and then break it down into smaller, bite-sized tasks.

Prioritize your actions. What’s the first thing you need to do? Then, what comes next? This helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of things you need to do.

Set mini-deadlines. Instead of just having one big deadline at the end of the year, create deadlines for each step along the way.

For example, if your goal is to write a book, break it down into manageable tasks:

1. Write an outline

2. Write 500 words every day for a month

3. Edit the first draft

4. Find a publisher or self-publish

By taking your goal one step at a time, it becomes less intimidating and much easier to accomplish.

Goals are great, but without a plan, they’re just wishes. Consistent habits will keep you moving forward, even on days when motivation is low.

Create a daily/weekly plan. Dedicate a specific time each day or week to work on your goals. Whether it’s 30 minutes of writing, 1 hour at the gym, or 20 minutes reading, consistency is the key to progress.

Track your progress. Keep a journal, use an app, or create a visual tracker to log your milestones. Seeing your progress, even the small wins, will motivate you to keep going.

Create habits that support your goals. If your goal is to get fit, make exercising part of your daily routine. If your goal is to save money, build a habit of reviewing your budget each week.

No journey to success is a straight line. There will be setbacks, challenges, and times when things don’t go as planned and that’s okay! The key is to embrace the process and learn from any obstacles you encounter along the way.

Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as lessons. What can you learn from your mistakes? How can you adjust your approach moving forward?

Keep going even when it’s tough. Motivation may not always be high, but discipline will keep you on track. Push through the hard days, and remind yourself why you started.

Stay flexible. Sometimes, life throws curveballs. If something’s not working, be open to changing your approach while still staying committed to your end goal.

Setting and achieving goals isn’t magic, it’s a combination of clarity and consistency. By setting 

goals, breaking them down into manageable steps, building the right habits, and staying accountable, you’ll be well on your way to turning your dreams into reality.

Remember, the right mindset and a well-planned strategy, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. 

Stay focused, stay determined, and most importantly, enjoy the journey! You’ve got this.

Cover Photo: @turnretro on Instagram!