So, here’s the tea: I used to be the queen of unfinished to-do lists. 🫣 You know, the kind where you write “work out” on Monday and by Friday, it’s still there, staring at you like a judgmental ex. But then, something clicked. I realized I wasn’t just bad at goals—I was setting them all wrong. Let me take you on my journey from “meh” to “heck yes!” because, honestly, it’s been a game-changer.
First off, let’s talk about the why. Why do we even set goals? For me, it wasn’t about ticking boxes or proving something to someone else. It was about feeling alive, about creating a life that felt intentional and exciting. I started small. Like, really small. Instead of saying, “I’m going to run a marathon,” I said, “I’m going to run for 10 minutes today.” And guess what? I did it. That tiny win gave me the confidence to keep going.
One thing I’ve learned is that goals need to be personal. Like, deeply personal. It’s not about what your best friend is doing or what Instagram tells you you should want. It’s about what lights YOU up. For me, that meant ditching the idea of being a “morning person” (seriously, who decided that was the gold standard?) and embracing my night owl energy. I started setting goals that aligned with my natural rhythm, and suddenly, they didn’t feel like a chore anymore.
Another big aha moment? Breaking goals into bite-sized pieces. I used to think, “If I can’t do it all at once, what’s the point?” But life isn’t an all-or-nothing game. For example, when I decided to write a book (yes, a whole book!), I didn’t sit down and try to crank out 50,000 words in a week. Instead, I committed to writing 200 words a day. Some days I wrote more, some days less, but the consistency added up. And now? That book is a real thing.
Accountability has also been huge for me. But not in the way you might think. I don’t have a coach or a mentor (though if that works for you, go for it!). Instead, I found my tribe—a group of friends who are also chasing their own dreams. We check in with each other, celebrate wins, and vent about setbacks. It’s not about pressure; it’s about support. And honestly, knowing someone’s rooting for you makes all the difference.
Let’s also talk about failure. Because, newsflash: it’s going to happen. I used to be terrified of failing. Like, it would paralyze me. But then I realized that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the process. When I didn’t hit a goal, I started asking myself, “What can I learn from this?” instead of “Why am I so bad at this?” That mindset shift was everything.
One of my favorite tools? Visualizing the end result. I’m not talking about some woo-woo manifesting thing (though no judgment if that’s your jam). I mean really picturing what it would feel like to achieve that goal. For me, it’s like playing a movie in my head. When I was training for a 5K, I’d imagine crossing the finish line, arms in the air, feeling like a total badass. That mental image kept me going on days when I wanted to quit.
Lastly, let’s not forget to celebrate the wins. Like, actually celebrate them. I used to achieve something and immediately move on to the next thing. But now? I take a moment to soak it in. Whether it’s treating myself to a fancy coffee or just doing a little happy dance in my living room, acknowledging my progress keeps me motivated.
So, here’s my challenge to you: pick one thing you’ve been putting off and break it down into the tiniest, most manageable step. Then, take that step. And when you do, come back here and tell me about it. Because trust me, once you start, you’ll be unstoppable. 💪