Ep #81: The Ultimate Guide to Setting Goals and ACHIEVING Them

Scroll down to find all the ways to enjoy this content: blog post + video + podcast!
You can READ or WATCH or LISTEN!

Click to hop to the one you want:

Resolutions are powerful tools for changing your life. If you are ready to make your goal setting much more powerful, I’m here to help!

In this episode, I break this process down step-by-step. It’s Part 1 of a two-part series, and in this one, we’ll talk through the entire framework for setting goals you’ll actually reach. The video also includes access to a free workbook I created just for you to make this process even easier! Watch it here and let’s get started together.

I’ll post the next video, a Plan with Me one, right here. We can do our planning together!

PS: Here are the extras I mention:

VIDEO I MENTIONED:

▶️ GRAB the FREE workbook here: ⁠Setting Goals You ACHIEVE⁠.

▶️ Need to tap into your vision? Check out: ⁠A Practical Guide to Finding Your True Desires : 4 Powerful Exercises to Gain Clarity⁠ | WORKBOOK

▶️ Create Time Podcast – haven’t done it – yet! Stay tuned!

▶️ Podcast #8: ⁠5 tips for When You Want to Quit – You need a PLAN for Failure!⁠

MORE TOPICS WILL ENJOY:

– Reignite Your Life: Guide to the Ultimate LIFE RESET

– Manifesting For Beginners

– You NEED to Know this to Manifest | The ONE Thing People Miss!

OTHER LINKS:

MY YEAR TO THRIVE:

• BLOG Post: My Year to Thrive
• Summary of my first quarter: Unlock Your Midlife Mojo with these 5 Tips: My Monthly Wellness Reset

PRIVATE COACHING:

Private Coaching when you are ready for the ultimate, exclusive experience: Life Coaching with Laura

Hacking Happiness: A Life Coaching Quick Start: Just give me 5 days. Hacking Happiness

READ: The Ultimate Guide to Setting Goals You Actually ACHIEVE!

How to Set Goals You’ll Actually Achieve: The Big and Small Approach

We’ve all been there: you set a goal, full of excitement and determination, only to find yourself abandoning it weeks or even days later. New Year’s resolutions? They often fall into the same trap.

But what if I told you there’s a way to make your goal-setting process so powerful that you significantly increase your chances of achieving what you set out to do? It’s not magic; it’s strategy—and it works.

The secret lies in balancing the big and the small. The big inspires you, and the small ensures you actually get it done. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the same proven process I’ve taught as a life coach for over 30 years—a process designed to help you set and achieve powerful goals. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Be Inspired by What You WANT

Your vision is your North Star. It provides direction and ensures your goals are aligned with what truly matters to you. If you’re struggling to define your vision, I encourage you to check out my previous video (linked below), where I walk you through finding clarity on what you really want.

Step 2: Define Your Resolutions

Once you’ve identified your vision, it’s time to create your resolutions. A resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something, fueled by determination and resolve. These resolutions should be broad, inspiring, and tied to your vision. They set the tone for your goals and give you the “why” behind them.

Here’s an example of how you might craft resolutions in different areas of life:

• Body: Love my body more by nourishing it with healthier foods and moving it in ways that feel good.

• Finances: Be a better steward of my money, save more, spend consciously, and give generously to causes I care about.

• Career: Honor my passion for entrepreneurship by dedicating myself to growing my business.

These resolutions are your overarching commitments for the year. They inspire and guide your more specific goals.

Step 3: Set End Goals for the Year

With your resolutions in place, it’s time to get specific. What tangible outcomes do you want to achieve in the next year? These are your “end goals.” They’re measurable and give you a clear target to aim for.

First, I like to write this out as a narrative, writing from the perspective of one year from today. Write it in first person, singular, present and use as much emotion as you can. Let it be a story of how your year unfolded as you attained your goals one by one and saw your vision unfold.

Then write down your specific, tangible goals that you will achieve to get there.

For example:

• Body: Lose 10 pounds, run a 5K, or establish a consistent workout routine.
• Finances: Save $5,000, reduce debt by 20%, or set up an emergency fund.
• Career: Launch a new product, earn a specific income milestone, or grow your email list by 50%.

Write down your end goals for each area of your life that’s important to you. This creates a roadmap for what you’re working toward.

Let’s Get Down to Details

Step 4: Break It Down by Quarters and Months

Big annual goals can feel overwhelming, which is why it’s essential to break them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Start by dividing your goals into quarterly milestones. Ask yourself:

• What can I realistically achieve in the next three months that will move me closer to my end goals?

Next, break your quarterly goals into monthly targets. For example:

• Quarterly Goal (Body): Lose 3 pounds.

• Monthly Goal (Body): Lose 1 pound this month by working out 3 times a week and eating 80% nutritious meals.

Breaking your goals into smaller increments keeps you focused and prevents overwhelm.

Step 5: Focus on Action Goals

End goals are important, but they’re only part of the equation. To reach them, you need “action goals”—the specific steps you’ll take to make progress. These are your daily and weekly tasks.

For example:

• End Goal (Body): Lose 10 pounds.
• Action Goals:
  • Meal prep on Sundays.
  • Attend two fitness classes per week.
  • Drink 8 glasses of water daily.

Schedule these actions into your calendar. Treat them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. Consistency is key to turning your intentions into reality.

Step 6: Schedule Regular Check-Ins

One of the most powerful things you can do is create a system for regularly checking in with your goals. This keeps them top of mind and allows you to adjust your approach as needed.

Here’s how to do it:

• Weekly: Review what you accomplished and plan your action goals for the coming week.

• Monthly: Assess your progress toward your monthly goals and set new ones for the next month.

• Quarterly: Evaluate your progress toward your end goals and adjust as needed.

These check-ins keep you accountable and ensure you’re always moving forward.

Want More Support?

hacking happiness:

Hacking happiness is my Life Coaching Quick Start course. Receive the first few steps for enjoying your life more. Learn more here.

Not ready to invest in yourself?

Totally understand! Grab this FREE ebook and watch for follow up emails and I’ll help you get started!

WATCH:

The Ultimate Guide to Setting Goals You Actually ACHIEVE!

LISTEN:

The Ultimate Guide to Setting Goals You Actually ACHIEVE!

Or link here to listen & find links to everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Leave me a voicemail and I can answer it on the podcast: Voicemail.