What’s the formula for setting goals that you will actually accomplish?
Like practically speaking, what are the how-tos of slaying your goals day-to-day?
How do you set goals that you can ya know – achieve? Not just write down or dream about endlessly.
We’ve all set goals, but we’ve definitely haven’t all achieved them. So, what exactly makes a goal achievable, and another a failed goal?
Achievable can mean reachable, realistic, within your abilities and something you can actually do. It’s the “A” in SMART goal setting for a reason.
Granted, setting a goal is just one step, in many, towards achieving it. Whether you take action on the goals you’ve set it all up to you.
But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t set yourself for success from the-gogo, by making sure you’ve set the best possible goal. A.k.a. the most achievable goal for yourself.
Whether you are just starting out on a new journey to build your dream life, or you are a seasoned goal slayer, these 6 simple secrets to setting achievable goals will help you have the best chance of reaching it.
Be sure to get your Achievable Goals Workbook to help you work through all 6 secrets with your goal.
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What’s Your Achievable Goal for this Year?
Before we get to the day-to-day business of setting and achieving your goals (or slaying your goals as I like to call it), the first question is, what’s your goal for this year?
Just an FYI, a year doesn’t have to start in January, it can start whenever you decide, like today. You can always decide to start again – no matter what day it is.
Have you even thought about what you want to accomplish and where you want to be?
Maybe there’s even a New Year’s Resolution you’ve already given up on?
As you may know, my goal for 2016 was to get free from the 9-5 life I’d narrowly escaped towards the end of 2015. I’ll be using this goal as an example to illustrate exactly how you make a goal like this achievable.
Presently, my goal for 2017 and beyond is to stay free (umm… no pressure right?) and to constantly expand my reality of freedom. Savings only go so far and building up a sustainable income stream is an entirely new challenge for me.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 47 Experts Share How to Achieve Your Goals This Year
The reality is that just selecting a goal isn’t enough to make it happen this year (or any year for that matter).
So, I’m doubling down on setting achievable goals and re-committing myself to the daily fundamental basics of goal setting. I encourage you to do the same!
I hope like me, you choose to not leave achieving your goals in life to chance or waiting for luck to strike.
How to Set Achievable Goals:
Here are the six simple secrets you need to know to go from just setting any old goals, to setting achievable goals.
The emphasis here is on making your goals doable, but also as actionable as possible. It’s very important when setting goals to always focus on the actions, the how-tos as you’d have it, NOT on the outcome.
As much as we would all like to reach our goals, to arrive at our destination and to be successful, we need to accept that achieving our goals is a journey.
You’ve got to enjoy the process, or you’ll end up giving up. That’s the reality, the hard truth about goal setting. If you’re good with that, then let’s do this.
#1: Focus on One Main Goal
Focus on one, yes only one, #1 goal you would like to achieve in one year (or another time period if you like).
Personally, I like the timeframe of one year as it’s a workable time period and not so far enough in the future that I’m unable to vividly visualize where I would like to be.
Please note, we are not talking about your ultimate goal in life, just one main goal or transformation you can commit to.
Goal Setting Secret #1: Just focus on one goal at a time. Yes, only one! #AchieveYourGoals #GoalSetting #SuccessWhat should your goal be? Take some time to contemplate where you want to be one year from now.
👉🏽 TAKE THE QUIZ: What Should Your Goal Be?
“Where” can be a place, a feeling, a monetary or business goal. You decide “where” where is.
Write it down, describe it as clearly and as simply as possible, you’ll work out the specific details in the next few secrets.
Example: “In one year, I want to be in a secure financial and emotional position, where I am ready to quit my full-time job. I will be free to build my dream life, as a creative entrepreneur from the comfort of my home.”
👉🏽 RELATED POST: Long-Term Goal Ideas for College Students
#2: Set “Mini-Goals”
Deconstruct your main goal by setting four “mini-goals,” one for each quarter of the year.
If you prefer to give yourself a bit more time, you could set 3 goals, one for every four months (rather than a quarter). With the extra month, this could be a more realistic timeline for your expectations or to adjust due to having to overcome obstacles to success (if you didn’t know something always goes wrong).
Then, decide which of your “Mini-Goals” you will tackle in your first 3-4 month period.
Goal Setting Secret #2: Be honest with yourself about your timeline, be brutally realistic. #AchieveYourGoals #GoalSetting #SuccessHow do you select your mini-goals?
There are a few ways you can determine your mini-goals:
- Think of your 3 smaller goals as crucial way stations on your journey to your 1-year goal. Where do you have to go before finally arriving at your “where”?
- Secondly, you could identify three separate components or realms of your main goal, such as financial, emotional and business life.
- Thirdly, you can also set three specific projects for yourself that lead you to your goal.
Example: #1: Saving 4-6 months of my cost of living and expenses, so that I can survive the difficulties of being self-employed. #2: Starting a profitable side hustle or business. #3: Building up my self-confidence, and emotional and mental strength to handle the challenges of being self-employed.
#3. Figure Out “The How”
With your first mini-goal set, create your list of “how-tos” by brainstorming every possible idea or necessary steps to achieve that particular mini-goal.
Then, repeat for each mini-goal as you achieve them.
Goal Setting Secret #3: Know EXACTLY how you are going to achieve your goal. Write it down. #AchieveYourGoals #GoalSetting #Success
What should your list of “how-tos” include?
Think about the particular “mini-goal” in terms of what is required. What do you need in order to achieve this?
Possible requirements could include making more money, getting training or mentorship, saving up for essential business tech, time investments, the participation of others, researching a business idea, and even less tangible needs like emotional support, confidence building or higher self-esteem.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 41 Personal Goal Examples
Example: #1 Mini-goal ideas: financial literacy on saving or spending less, creating a budget, cutting expenses, opening a high-interest savings account, consulting a partner or spouse, moving to a cheaper apartment, DIYing instead of buying, cooking more meals, staycation instead of vacation, seeing a financial planner, taking on a side-job or more hours and so on.
#4. Choose Your Priorities
#4. Setting your priorities is key to achieving the goals you’ve set.
You now have a hopefully healthy list of ideas as to how to achieve your first mini-goal.
You need to know the difference between what’s absolutely necessary and what’s a would be nice to get done. Sort your ideas by priority level – what’s important and urgent!
How do you know which tasks are priorities?
There are a few ways to determine the priorities for your goals.
- Firstly, which how-tos can you absolutely not do without, or which are essential to achieving your goal?
- Secondly, which are both urgent and important – if you don’t complete this key task by a certain time, you won’t achieve your goal on time.
- Thirdly, which tasks need to be completed before you can do another.
- Alternatively, you could think of your priorities in terms of which is the best use of your time for the greatest possible benefit. Basically, which is a sure thing, or as close to a sure path to your goal.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Plan a Goal Setting Retreat
Example: Creating a budget, determining current spending habits and halting all unnecessary spending are priorities for achieving the mini-goal of saving 4-6 months of income. These tasks are the linchpin on which other tasks like saving depend.
#5. Commit Time Every Week
Now that you have your priorities in line, it’s time to schedule them.
Look at your weekly planner and select at least two specific days and times each and every week you will commit to your goals (one will be your backup time in case your week gets derailed – it happens all the time!).
Your aim here is to create a routine that enables you to develop a habit of achieving your goals.
You could also tie your goal slaying time to an existing routine or activity, like while the kids are at tennis or before you go to the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Use Time-BlockingGoal Setting Secret #5: You have to commit time weekly for slaying your goals. Make it a habit. #AchieveYourGoals #GoalSetting #Success
Whatever time(s) you select, set an alarm, block it off in your planner and calendar, write it in your bullet journal, also notify your partner/spouse or family members that you are now busy at these times.
Take this commitment seriously – make no exceptions for not working on your goal.
How much time should you commit to your goals each week?
Honestly, it’s completely up to you and how much you’re willing to give to achieve your goal. I would recommend just committing an hour or so to start each week, then in a few weeks commit more.
You need to build up your tolerance and get used to your commitment. Try not to over-commit and end up burning out in the first month of goal setting.
Example: Every Sunday for two hours after dinner and before Walking Dead or Game of Thrones comes on and Thursday’s before Grey’s Anatomy to update my budget and booking keeping or research to save money.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 3 Remarkable Benefits of Practicing Self-Care
#6. Always Take Action Now
Yes, right now! No more planning, all action!
No excuses either, you had time to read this, so you have time to do one tiny task for your goal.
The time is now, no more waiting for the perfect moment or planning every other step between where you are now and where you want to be. You need to take action!
These six simple secrets are all you need to set your goals and start achieving them.
Achievement happens in the action you take in the now, in your day-to-day. This is the only action plan you need to get started. Remember it’s an action plan, not a business plan, it’s called action because the important parts happen off the paper.
Goal Setting Secret #6: Abandon every excuse you have not to get it done, just take action now. #AchieveYourGoals #GoalSetting #SuccessBut, what can I even do right now?
Don’t overthink it, progress is progress no matter how small.
Do some online research, reach out to a contact, sketch out your ideas or write a hundred words of that novel you’ve been putting off. Just do something, just get started.
Get motivated! Remember it’s about progress, not perfection.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 19 Powerful Quotes that Motivate You to Start
Example: Create a budget for all my spending (scary I know) and started cut spending immediately by canceling my paid subscriptions, even Netflix if I have to.
How to Set Goals and Achieve Them
The ultimate secret to setting achievable goals is to just get started.
You can plan and overthink your goals for months, years and maybe even your entire life, without actually taking action. Goal setting is easy, but setting goals that you achieve is the next level.
Sign up below for your FREE 6-Step Workbook + weekly tips to help you slay your goals.
It’s a combination making sure you’re goals are doable and bite-sized, so you can take action. ALL the emphasis on that action.
Be specific with your #1 goal, break it down into smaller achievable goals and then take those steps.
Because the honest truth is that without taking steps to make it a reality, you’re just goal setting, not goal slaying. And goal-setting alone gets you nowhere (well it gets you frustrated, pissed off and depressed about your goals).
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Take Action When You Can't Get Started
Goal setting is the map, but unless you set out and go on your journey to reach your destination, you’re just always planning that trip you never take.
How sad is that? You deserve to go on the adventure of your life and reach your end goal.
Set achievable goals, then get up and achieve them!
How do you set goals that you can actually achieve? What makes a goal 'achievable'? Here are the 6 secrets you need to know to start achievable goals. #AchieveYourGoals #GoalSetting #Success
How do you set achievable goals?
Last Updated on November 2, 2024
Cheryl says
Some really great tips, thank you for sharing I will be trying to implement a few.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Cheryl, thanks for the blog love!
Happy goal setting,
Nadalie
Ola says
I enjoy goal setting and use a Passion Planner which helps me do just that. Although I have my goals detailed in writing. I have to remember to put the 2-3 main ones on a separate post it note and stick it to my computer so I don’t get side-tracked.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Ola,
OHH I have heard such good things about the Passion Planner I’m glad you mentioned it. I really have to check it out. I love the post-it note, it’s just the right amount of space to keep your goals focused.
Thanks,
Nadalie
andrea says
these are all great ideas on how to reach our goals. i love having a planner and setting two different kind of goals, personal goals and business ones. its a great way to stay motivated.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hello Andrea,
OOHH – I like that. Planners are so KEY! Something so fun about planning it out all and then achieving it.
Cole at SheMonster Media says
These are all really great tips! My biggest struggle with setting goals is setting too many at once. I find it is way easier to focus on fewer goals at a time.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Cole,
That’s the one that gets us all. It’s so easy to dream it and even to set the goals, but then the doing it… EK that’s the hard part.
Less is so more!
Shivranjani Rathore says
Thanks for all these helpful tips. I never focused on the ‘how’ part.
Nadalie Bardo says
You are so welcome Shivranjani!
Maja says
Some good advice here, I am still working on managing my goals effectively!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Maja,
It’s all a process, you’ve got this!
Amber Myers says
I love this and I’ll be sure to keep this in mind. I like your mini goals idea–I tend to do this now and again.
Nadalie Bardo says
Awesome Amber! I really just love calling them “mini goals”!
Krystal // The Krystal Diaries says
These are such helpful tips! I like setting goals and planning out how I can achieve them.
Nadalie Bardo says
I totally agree, Krystal! Planning is SO FUN. I like it way too much haha. So much so it’s a problem sometimes.
Tasheena @ SimplyTasheena.com says
Great tips! I really enjoyed reading this post. I agree at some point you have to figure out your strategy for accomplishing your goal.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Tasheena,
Thanks! It’s all about your strategy for sure. I like my goals bite-sized and mini, easier to digest that way.
Andrea says
i love having a different goals for my personal life and my business life. it makes it easier to reach my goals, I also like to write them down on a vision board as a way to visualize and help me achieve them.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Andrea,
You’re the second person to say that! For me, my main goals are usually blog/biz related and focus on just staying healthy and taking care of myself. Get a bit of that balance back.
Moe says
Great advice! I am always on the look out for good ways to break down goals. Your 6 steps are wonderful!!
Nadalie Bardo says
Thanks for the blog love Moe!
Czjai says
I like the idea of setting mini goals. Thanks for these great tips!
Nadalie Bardo says
Happy “mini goals”!
Diana says
Great post Nadalie! I’m big on goal setting too, I love the concept of mini-goals which are so important. x
Nadalie Bardo says
Thanks Diana! Mini-goals are so clutch in goal setting.
Marisa says
YAAS! Such an inspiring post! It’s so important to always keep on reaching various goals! Love it!
Nadalie Bardo says
Thanks Marisa! Sure is, goal setting keeps us going for sure!
Chevelle says
LOVE THIS! I need to focus myself on one goal, I get too ambitious! And I absolutely LOVE your blog! It’s beautiful and fun!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hello Chevelle,
ME TOO! Always over-ambitious with my goals. I’m like a hungry person going shopping. hehe.
Thanks for the blog love,
Nadalie
Deepa says
Great post with some great tips. To achieve goals, we need some determination and right guidance. Thanks for sharing.
Nadalie Bardo says
That’s exactly right! Thanks for stopping by Deepa!
Carol Cassara says
Goals aren’t easy to achieve when you don’t know how you’re going to start working towards achieving them. These are great tips and it’s important that we set realistic goals instead of what people would usually come up with.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Carol,
That’s sooo true, in many ways, getting started in the hardest part!
Happy goal setting,
Nadalie
Natalee | Kissing Often says
Thanks for the tips. I especially love setting the mini goals in between. Breaking I down really helps things seem more achievable
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Natalee,
I love the spelling of your name!
Mini-goals help for sure.
Claire - StartACraftBlog says
I’m a crazy goal getter and this post is awesome! Pinning 🙂
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Claire,
WOOT! Yay for being crazy goal getters!
Latasha Peterson says
I love this post, Nadalie! Focusing on one main goal at a time has truly helped me stay organized in completing my goals!
Nadalie Bardo says
Thanks so much Latasha,
You are such an awesome goal slayer! I am blown away by your blogging results.
Andrea says
This is such a great guide on how to achieve goals!! We often set many goals at the beginning of the year but as the year passes by, we forget or decide to ignore or get lazy, or whatever excuse we find. This is a great guide to get back on track and totally slay those goals! Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Andrea,
Isn’t that the truth! Excuses are many as the months roll by that’s for sure. And we are halfway through the year already.
Slay on sister,
Nadalie
Marcella Kenny says
I love the blog post i will be coming back to work on some of these suggestions in Setting Achievable Goals!
Nadalie Bardo says
Awesome, Marcella! So glad you found it helpful.
See you then,
Nadalie
Traci says
Love your go-getter attitude and the simple, practical help you offer readers. Thanks for sharing these insights about goal setting!
Traci
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Traci,
Thanks a bunch boo! Breaking goals down is kinda of my bliss.
Lorna says
Insta-download, ha! Thank you! x
Nadalie Bardo says
Welcome Lorna!
Michael @ Super Millennial says
I love this! I focus a ton on setting goals, mini deadlines, taking action and always celebrating once I reach a goal to keep me motivated! Great post 🙂
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Michael,
We’ve gotta celebrate as we go for sure. Love “mini-deadlines” sounds fancier than mini-goals.
– Nadalie
Sue Tanya McHorgh says
These are some great tips Nadalie. Thanks for sharing .
Nadalie Bardo says
You are so very welcome Sue!
Nikki | It's All BlogSense says
I am definitely downloading! I think I always find myself getting overwhelmed because I set a million huge goals and no smaller goals. I need to work on this. Thanks for sharing!
Nadalie Bardo says
Enjoy the workbook, Nikki!
OMG me too, I’m totally guilty of over-goaling it.
Elizabeth O says
These are excellent tips that we could all use. One that I’ll add is stay flexible as situations can change.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Elizabeth,
That’s a great addition! There’s def. a time for being on a schedule and routine and time to let up and be flexible.
Thanks for sharing,
Nadalie
stefanie | bliss lived says
this is such a timely and absolutely WONDERFUL post Nadalie! i set up a big hairy goal for this year (to print and organize all of our familiy photos). It was the impetus for me to get on instagram to get some accountability and it helped me eventually get my feet wet in blogging. needless to say… after blogging i sort of “forgot” about the pictures(!)
your tips are uber helpful and redirect me to get more aggressive on this goal i have. thanks for sharing it and i absolutely love the design of your blog, and your generosity in providing resource guides for the important topics you share.
xoxo
stefanie
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Stefanie,
Thanks so much for the blog post love! Haha, I love that – “hair goal”!
*guilty face* I’m the absolute worst with photos, just save them and file them away until I run out of hard drive space. And sometimes I do just buy more space instead of dealing with it.
Yay for goal setting,
Nadalie
Tracy Chong says
Interesting sharing. 🙂 I find that setting goals are easy while achieving it is not. But I believe all is about how persistence and also how disciplined we are. 🙂
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Tracy,
You know it! Everything is ALWAYS easier on paper, it’s the getting moving and getting shit done that’s the challenging part of the journey.
I couldn’t agree more, persistence is everything! Never give up, never stop trying.
Kelsey says
Love your brand and blog! These are really great tips for setting achievable goals. It’s a fine line between that and being over strung or bored.
Nadalie Bardo says
Thanks so much Kelsey!
It’s totally a balancing act. You want to be bold and chase your wildest dreams, but you also have to be super realistic about what is doable for you right now. Cuss you’re the one who is going to have to achieve it.
Farhaj Hussain says
Your blog post is so helpful…. Love reading this…. N will definitely follow your simple rules to achieve my goals… Keep up the good work…
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Farhaj,
I’m so happy it’s helpful!
Happy Goals Slaying,
Nadalie
Shannon Sawicki says
I just reviewed my goals for 2017, this is a great reminder to make time each week.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Shannon,
YAY! It’s such an important exercise for your goal setting. Reviewing your goals and progress is KEY for knowing how to go forwards.
Elisabet M. Rinne says
This is so inspiring, just pinned this! 🙂
Elisabet | http://www.fashionpoetry.eu
Nadalie Bardo says
Yay, thanks for pinning Elisabet!
Ike Paz says
I love the flexibility this post offers in the way of time commitments. Another great post Nadalie!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Ike,
Thanks for the blog love! We all have to go at our own pace and follow our timelines. =)
Christia Colquitt says
Love these tips. I need to get better at breaking down my big goal into mini goals. You have inspired me!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Christia,
WOOT, so happy you loved them. “Mini goals” are sooo necessary. Big goals are scary and can feel soo impossible to achieve.
Yay for being inspired!
Aleksandra says
Focusing on the main goal is very much the most important thing for me. I find it so easy to become sidetracked!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Aleksandra,
Trust me, I’m honestly side-tracked like every week. haha. My #1 priority is to STAY focused and just accomplish one thing at a time and ignore everything else.
Martha says
Thanks a lot for your tips, I’m going to be using them and the workbook to start my new life, I want to be more time at home with my daughters and still be able to live comfortably relying on my own business. Thanks again Nadalie!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Martha,
You are so welcome!
YES, I love that. We can start a new life every single day. That’s what’s so beautiful about this. That’s incredible! Congratulations on all you’ve already achieved.
Patricia says
Good tips! My goal is to be a DM in my company, but it may take more than one year.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Patricia,
That’s okay if it takes longer than a year. Just focus on what you can achieve within the year, that will set you up for that goal the year after or after that. Take a step back and focus on what you find there, instead of on the promotion itself.
Shauntal says
Really loved this post Nadalie. It is definitely right on time for me personally. I have just signed up for my free workbook and can’t wait to get going with planning and setting time out to work towards my goals.
Hope you are well!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Shauntal,
Thanks for stopping by! I am well thanks!
I’m glad this post was right on time, sometimes we just need to be reminded to get back to the planning and goal setting. You got this!