The 4 Keys to Setting Goals You’ll Actually Achieve

Jan 2

We all love the idea of setting goals. It’s exciting to think about the rewards we’ll reap from our hard work. But let’s be honest—life happens. One moment, you’re brimming with motivation, and the next, it’s July and you’re wondering…What happened to my goals?

Here’s the truth: goal-setting is just the beginning. To truly succeed, you need the right mindset and approach. Let me walk you through the four keys to setting the best goals and setting yourself up for success.

Key #1: Write Your Goals Down

This sounds obvious, but it’s non-negotiable. You have to write your goals down. I don’t care if you never look at them again. I don’t care if you hate journaling or planners. Don’t fight me on this—just do it.

Why? Research shows that writing down your goals increases your chances of success. It activates parts of your brain that don’t light up when you’re just thinking about them. Plus, it forces you to get specific, which is essential.

Take “Make more money” as an example. That’s way too vague. You could find a quarter in the parking lot, and technically, you’ve achieved your goal. Be clear: How much more money? What’s the plan?

Here’s a quick exercise if you’re unsure where to start: Complete these sentences:

I want to achieve ______.
I want to experience ______.
I want to feel ______.
I want to change ______.

Clarity is everything. Name your goal, get specific, and write it down.

Key #2: Don’t Scale Your Goals Down

This is a sneaky trap that smart, practical people fall into: we scale down our goals to avoid failure. You might think, Well, someone at my level can’t expect to achieve that, so you aim for something smaller, “more realistic.”

Here’s the deal: scaling down unnecessarily limits you. There’s a sweet spot called the stretch zone, where your goal feels exciting but just out of reach. It’s not impossible, but you’re not quite sure how to get there yet.

For example, when I first set a goal to earn $100,000 in my business, it felt ridiculous. I had no evidence it was possible, but setting that goal forced me to think bigger and act differently. Did I hit $100K that year? No. But I made way more than I would’ve if I’d set a “safe” goal. (And spoiler alert…it made it way easier to finally achieve the next year, because I’d been operating with that goal in mind the whole time!)

Ask yourself: Are any of your goals scaled-down versions of what you really want? If so, challenge yourself to aim higher. What’s the worst that could happen? Even if you fall short, you’ll likely end up far closer to your dream than you would by playing it safe.

Key #3: Take Action

Without action, goals are just dreams. Once you’ve written down your goals, you need to take steps to make them real.

This doesn’t mean doing everything at once. Start small. Take January to map out the year. Which goals will you focus on first? What decisions do you need to make now to move forward?

Here are some simple actions to build momentum:

Write out a plan.
Schedule time on your calendar for your goals.
Take a tangible step, like buying supplies, researching options, or booking an appointment.

Even something as small as jotting your goal on a Post-it note can make it feel real. Action creates momentum, and momentum builds success.

Key #4: Use Your Calendar

Your calendar is your best friend when it comes to staying on track. Life will throw surprises your way, and your goals can easily get shoved to the back burner. That’s why you need checkpoints.

Here’s my favorite strategy:

Block off a two-hour chunk on your calendar.
Label it something fun, like “CEO Check-In” or “Goal Power Hour.” Add emojis if that makes you smile!
In the event description, write down your goals so they’re easy to revisit.

These regular check-ins help you stay focused, adjust your plans as needed, and celebrate your progress.

Think of this like a road trip: you wouldn’t drive cross-country without planning your route and stopping for gas.

Final Thoughts

The big question to keep asking yourself is: Am I setting myself up for success?

If you’re overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or struggling to balance your goals with everything else in life, it might be time to get some help.

Whether it’s hiring a coach, finding an accountability partner, or just breaking your goals into smaller steps, do what you need to do to stay in motion.

This year, let’s think big, act boldly, and set ourselves up for success. You’ve got this!

Wait, I need more help!

Is it time to work together? I help overthinking high-achievers trust their choices.

Whether you need help being more decisive, taking up more space in your own life, or truly figuring out what you want so you can take action on it — coaching with me gives you guidance, accountability and an expert in your corner.

We’ll use science-backed tools and proven strategies to change mental and physical habits, decrease your baseline overwhelm, and grow your self-trust to the point that you make clear, conscious, self-honoring decisions with ease, daily.

It starts — naturally — with some decisive action.

Book your no-strings Free Consultation where we’ll talk like humans, break down your goals, identify a path forward, and figure out if we’re a fit to work together.