How to set goals that ACTUALLY stick
Jan 06, 2025ONE IDEA FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT
I used to hate goal-setting. (Like, TRULY hate!)
I’d tell myself, “I want this…” but I never knew how to actually get there.
Now I know this: The key to setting goals that stick isn’t just motivation.
It’s having the right systems in place.
Here’s my favorite 4-step framework that keeps me accountable, on track, and even makes pursuing goals enjoyable:
Step 1: Visioning
- Imagine where you want to be in the next 6-12 months. Picture your ideal self and assess if this vision aligns with your priorities. It's the first step towards turning your wishes into reality.
Step 2: Create a Goal Statement
- Use the S.M.A.R.T goal template (you can find it in your worksheet) to create a goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant (to you), and time-bound. This statement becomes your roadmap to success.
Step 3: Identify the skills you will need to grow to reach your goal
- Shift your focus from the goal itself to the process/journey. Measure your progress through skill development. If you want to make this part more fun, set challenges for yourself to beat that are tied to growing these skills.
Step 4: Build the habits that you need to grow these skills
- These daily & repetitive practices will create the systems needed for consistent growth.
Here are two examples that you can use as reference.
Example 1 - Getting a promotion
- Vision: Be a strategic contributor, trusted by upper management, earning a fulfilling salary that allows for a comfortable life and giving back to my community.
- Goal statement: Get promoted to Senior Manager from Manager in the Sales Department by the end of this year.
- Skills to grow: Project Management (challenge: ideate and strategize on a project that will drive significant results for my company, without my manager’s supervision), Public Speaking (challenge: present test findings to leadership in the next 4 weeks)
- Habits to develop: Time management, stepping out of my comfort zone (speaking up in meetings), seeking feedback at least once a month
Example 2 - Losing weight
- Vision: Achieve a weight where I feel energized and confident.
- Goal statement: Lose 10 pounds in the next 4 months through a balanced diet and exercising 4 times a week.
- Skills to grow: Commitment (challenge: go to the gym 4 times a week), Strength Training (challenge: increase my weight number by 5 pounds within the next 2 months)
- Habits to develop: Waking up 30 minutes earlier 4 days a week to go to the gym, meal prepping once a week, practicing mindful eating
ONE QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF
In one year from now, what do you want to be true about you and your life?
Why it matters: This question gets you to think about what will make a difference in your life and make you feel different. What will you be proud to say in a year?
ONE EXERCISE FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK
Do the 4-step approach that I outlined above for at least one of your goals. I suggest only pursuing 2-3 big goals at a time. If you overwhelm yourself, you are more likely to stop pursuing your goals.
Write out a couple of sentences for your vision, craft 1 goal statement, and identify 2 skills to grow and 3 habits that you can build to help you grow these skills. You can work on your growth plan in this printable worksheet.
And then commit to taking at least 1 action this week to start building one of these habits.
Share this exercise with a colleague, your manager, or a friend. If you are really serious about this, ask someone to hold you accountable.
If you got this far in the blog post, you are curious about personal growth. You got this! I am so proud.
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