What does it mean to slay my goals?
How exactly do you slay your goals?
Are you tired of just setting goals? If you're ready to finally SLAY your goals, click here to find out what that really means. #slayyourgoals #goalslayer #goalsetting #llifehack
What’s in a word like “slay”? A whole lot if you ask me.
And you should, because in 2016 when the phrase “slay your goals” wasn’t as popular as it is today, I wrote a blog post titled “How Do I Slay My Goals?” I then created the 10-Step Slay Your Goals Guide and launched the Printable Slay Your Goals Planner for that exact reason. Somehow a few years later I’ve been dubbed, “the queen of slaying goals.” (There’s a serious branding lesson in here somewhere).
Back then though, the term offered a fresh, yet fierce take on a topic that’s become so regurgitated and predictable. “Set S.M.A.R.T. goals, break your goal down, improve your time management…” blah blah. *Shh*
Read my lips, S-L-A-Y your goals.
Let’s be honest now, goal setting isn’t sexy, but slaying your goals is.
Table of Contents:
Everyone and their mom (seriously mom you need to stop), is telling you that you need to slay your goals. Well at least from what I’ve noticed of late, everyone on Pinterest is. The more pins and posts I see popping up with the term “slay your goals” the more I wonder if they’re using the term correctly.
Are they telling you to push goal setting to the side, to get up and take action, like now? Or is it the same ol’ goal setting advice you’re beyond tired of hearing. Maybe you’ve implemented these tired and not so true methods in your pursuit of happiness and bossness, but you’re not getting results.
Or perhaps, you’re legit wondering what’s the meaning of “slay my goals”? Sorry boo, no Urban Dictionary definition for this one (as yet).
Slay, what?
Read on to define, differentiate and determine how you can slay your goals, instead of setting or even achieving them.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS.
IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE FROM THESE LINKS, I MAY EARN A SMALL COMMISSION.
CLICK HERE FOR MY FULL DISCLAIMER STATEMENT.
What’s the Meaning of “Slaying My Goals”
Why not just say, achieve your goals, reach or even accomplish your goals? Is there even a difference?
Let’s start by saying that “slaying your goals” is NOT synonymous with “achieving your goals.” There’s a bit more to it than that. This isn’t your generic approach to goal setting or even achieving your goals.
There’s a fierce and fearless mentality required when “slaying your goals.” Even just using the word “slay” in urban vernacular has connotations of power, strength, and swagger that you cannot convey in words like “achieve,” “reach” or even “accomplish” (you can try tho!).
To slay is to “killed it. succeeded in something amazing” (Urban Dictionary)
So let me ask you, do you want to achieve your goals, or do you want to slay your goals?
Do you want that feeling of “hey, I did it” (checked something off your to-do list) or do you want that “yohhh, I slayed my goal” (arms up doing a victory strut)?
But, hey it’s not just about attitude, how you feel when you do, or how you express it. There a deeper transformation when you start slaying your goals.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 47 Experts Share How to Achieve Your Goals This Year
Slay Your Goals Defined
Let’s start with a definition, then break down what that means for you and how you approach your goals (with swagger or with stress, you decide.)
To slay your goals is to achieve your goals without excuse or apology.
I’ll take it farther by saying it’s to get sh*t done, to meet deadlines and commitments with determination. To “crush” or “kill” your plans, and whatever you set out to accomplish.
Does this sound like you?
Are you achieving your goals without apology or excuse?
Or are you constantly thinking of reasons why you can’t, doing everything but what you need to, going to bed each night apologizing to yourself for not getting started… yet again?
Slaying your goals is the next level, it’s elevating your approach to achieving your goals and dreams.
I know what you’re thinking, but what does that look like? How do you know if you’re slaying your goals or not?
Let’s break it down.
What Does “Slaying My Goals” Look Like?
Let’s go through the motions of slaying your goals together to make this as tangible as possible.
When you’re slaying your goals, you are doing…
WAY LESS OF THIS:
- Making resolutions and setting precise goals
- Writing in your planner and journal about it
- Waiting to figure out what the “right” move is
- Procrastinating on getting it done
- Getting distracted, chasing “shiny objects”
- Waiting to be “motivated enough”
- Being too tired, too busy or too broke to do it
- Looking for “perfect timing” when you can
- Making endless to-do lists that you never do
- Being afraid of what others will think of you
- Trying to do it all on your own
And, WAY MORE OF THIS:
- Taking your first step and just do it
- Making mistakes and failing forward
- Start simple right where you are
- Being afraid, but doing it anyways
- Focusing on what you can do right now
- Being accountable, connected and supported
- Prioritizing your time, energy and efforts
- Knowing what works, avoiding what doesn’t
- Building momentum, not waiting for motivation
- Focused on yourself, not on others
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Take Action When You Can’t Get Started
Can you see the difference?
So, what have you been doing?
Are you slaying your goals, or preoccupied with various versions of planning, prepping and procrastinating (i.e. NOT slaying your goals)?
Trust me, you know when you’re slaying your goals, and when you’re not. Because when you’re NOT you’re usually apologizing or making excuses.
Slaying Without Excuse or Apology
Are you making excuses (sorry you might see them as reasons) for why you haven’t slayed your goal?
It’s pretty easy to think of the most common ones:
- I’m too busy, too tired, just not enough time
- I don’t know where to start or how to begin
- I’m just not motivated enough
- I lack the confidence to begin
- My kids, family, and job take up all my time
- (insert yours here)
👉🏽 RELATED POST: Why You’ll Never Actually Achieve Your Goals
The thing with having these excuses is that we usually do end up feeling guilty and constantly apology to ourselves and sometimes others for not achieving our goals.
For you, that apology could be:
- Those words you whisper to yourself when you fall to sleep at night that tomorrow will be the day
- When you’re writing in your journal about everything you didn’t do, but you’ll do tomorrow
- That feeling of disappointment when you look at all the plans and to-dos, you didn’t do
- Those tears of frustration you cry when no ones around because you are so frustrated you haven’t followed through
Apologies take on another form too, one that’s better hidden and more easily ignored. Most of us spend our entire lives not embracing who we are, denying what we really want to do with our lives, apologizing for the many ways we want more, different or something else than what we have. And the guilt, anxiety, depression, and destruction we feel for not being confident enough to go after it.
I know that I apologized for wanting more than a 9-5 job, I wanted more than just feeling creative, valued and alive occasionally. I wanted to do what I was made to do, what I was great at, what I was passionate about. And I apologized for being unhappy and feeling unsuccessful for years! My apology came every day in the form of working harder, going back to school, pretending that I was happy when asked: “what I do for a living.”
And then once you’ve decided to make the commitment to follow through on your goals you can even be faced by resistance. Ever decide to spend less and save more and be confronted with expensive parties and trips by your friends who don’t get it? Do you apologize or stick with it?
So let me ask you this, are you apologizing?
Are you ready to stop making excuses?
Slaying Your Goals vs Achieving Your Goals
When you’re “achieving” your goals, you are setting out to realize your plans and goals as you’ve laid them out beforehand.
For example, “it’s my goal to have 10K subscribers so I can be successful.” You’ve achieved it when you can check it off. But problems arise and you’re stressed because it’s not working out as you imagined… or you can’t even get started and following through is difficult AF.
Maybe for you this goal was getting fit, starting a blog or business, eating healthy, starting a project or maybe a charity. Easier said, planned, written out than done. Am I right?
BUT, when you’re “slaying” your goals, you realize that it’s not even about the goals or your plan, it’s about getting started, taking action and making progress. It’s that “I got this” swagger that pushes you to “just go with it” without making excuses or apologizing. A goal slayer realizes that 10K subscribers may not equal success, and discovers through action what does.
Bottom line, when you’re slaying your goals you know it’s NOT about the plan, and it ain’t about the goals.
When you’re slaying your goals you are both destroying your plans/goals and leveling up to an even better one – that you arrive at with determination.
Slaying your goals is your ability to dream it, work hard, and grind ’til you own it. – Béyonce
Let me ask you, now that you’re caught up on the differences, do you want to set your goals? Achieve your goal? Or slay your goals?
It’s a difference of approach, attribute, and awareness.
It’s being “WOKE” to your goals.
If you’re stuck, struggling or can’t get started, you need to slay your goals. Don’t just set goals, forget about achieving them, you need to slay them.
Goal Slayers know it’s NOT about the plan or the preparation, and it ain’t about the goals either. It’s about doing whatever it takes to get started, take action and follow through!
The ability to dream it, work hard, and grind ’til you own it.
RSVP to the FREE #GoalSlayer Masterclass
Don’t just achieve your goals, SLAY your goals. Sign up below to RSVP to the FREE #GoalSlayer Masterclass.
Sign up below to get instant access to the Masterclass + weekly tips to help you slay your goals.
You’ve spent enough time planning your goals, maybe even trying to achieve them, why not start slaying them instead?
The time for excuses and apologies has passed, let’s slay your goals.
What does “slaying my goals” mean to you?
Last Updated on July 26, 2024
Elizabeth O says
I am loving the message in this post, I love the idea of slaying your goals instead of achieving them. Definitely a message I will be taking on board myself!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Elizabeth,
Yes, love that you’re loving it. It’s all about the energy you come at your goals with.
Monica Y says
Great motivation on this post. I would have said before reading that achieving the goals was the same but after reading this I see how you need even more than just reach the goal, you have to shot for the stars to land in the moon kind of vision. Love it
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Monica,
Totally right, we think they’re just synonyms for each other. For myself, as a content creator who is all about “slaying your goals” I had to define the difference.
Glad you’re feeling motivated!
emman damian says
I love to slay my goals and fulfill them one by one. I know it’s hard but you really need to work hard.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Emman,
It’s hard work, anything worth having requires time, energy and elbow grease. It’s so worth it though!
Censie Sawyer says
I have been noticing a lot recently that I really need to focus on those main goals I have for my business. I love reading your posts. They always motivate me to do better and grow.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Censie,
🙌🏽 🙌🏽 🙌🏽 That means the world to me, it’s why I write them. Yes for being motivated to slay your business goals.
Aileen Adalid says
I am really loving your pointers! As someone who has had success with multiple goals, I totally agree with the things you listed above. Keep ‘slaying’! 😉
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Aileen,
Thanks so much, I know you get it. We can spend so much time doing everything BUT slaying, but once you do you can accomplish anything. 😉
Tomi C says
I am working on slaying my goals for 2018. Truth is it’s difficult and it takes work but I am making it work. However, slaying your goals means you have to KEEP working on them. I love your inspiring message and I am looking forward to the webinar on Tuesday.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Tomi,
Yess! Love that, decide and do what you can to make 2018 your break out year. It really does take time, and hard work. But pushing past everything that comes your way, and tries to hold you back, is slaying your goals. You got this!
Kallee says
I love the thought of taking your first step and just doing it. It ‘s great advice
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Kallee,
We’ve got to get moving! It’s simple advice, but so true, without progress we can never get where we want.
Kate Andrews says
You’re totally right – I set all of these goals and only accomplish a small percentage of them. I’ve tried setting some smaller goals so that I can cross more off my list and hopefully encourage me to keep going towards those larger goals.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Kate,
You’re so not alone in this, we always set more than we can possibly accomplish. Get your small wins and build on that. Something done, is better than nothing started. 👍🏽
Sabah B says
Honestly I’ve never came across this “slaying your goals” hahaha it was a very interesting read and indeed one can sense power and dedication in in the word”slay”! This blog was very motivating and I can feel the power to slay my goals for the upcoming months bubbling inside me 😀
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Sabah,
Really! I suppose I’m in this “goals” bubble and I’ve heard so many versions of this saying. YES, that’s exactly it, there’s something different about saying “slay” your goals.
nicki says
Oooh I love this! I dont think I have heard slay your goals before but I know I am doing it by definiteion!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Nicki,
Well, I am glad to be the one to introduce you to this term and new way of “achieving” your goals. Personally, I think goal setting needs some excitement.
Joy says
Yes, I am definitely all about slaying my goals. Thanks so much for this inspirational post. Keep up all the great work. Amazing post!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Joy,
YES YES, love that you’re already all about slaying your goals! Hope this mentality helps you to achieve so much. 🙌🏽
Nayna Kanabar says
This is a really inspiring post and I learnt a lot from it, excellent analysis and explanations.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Nayna,
So glad it’s been a helpful post on explaining how to slay your goals.
Blair villanueva says
Thanks for sharing this. This new generation, the millennial and gen Z have it’s own language and if we can’t get use to it, we will have a misunderstanding.
But yeah, I am slaying my goals and throwing roses around my path 🙂
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Blair,
You’re so welcome, it was a fun one to write. Oddly enough I almost refuse to be called a millennial and really wish Gen Y was still a thing.
LOVEEEE that… 🌹🌹🌹!
Sandra says
I hate this expression. Not because o don’t practice the list of tasks and attitudes associated with it. I really do. But I think it’s an attitudinal and generational word and frankly for people under 25. But that being said, who are any of us to judge the slang and idiosyncrasies of each other. If you slay, someone slightly older crushes and someone of my age exceeds… good for all of us!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Sandra,
Wow, that’s some pretty strong feelings about it. We do all have our language, but I strongly believe that a phrase it’s just for “youngins” or someone of a certain age. It’s an attitude, clearly not for you, but perhaps for others.
You’re right. You do you, and I’ll keep slaying. 💁🏽
Meghan says
Gosh I really needed this post right now. It’s kicking me in the butt to get ahead of what I need to do.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Meghan,
YES! It makes my day to hear that it’s just the kick in the butt you needed. Now go forth, and slay your goals!
Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says
I love this! Such a great motivation. Slaying your goals means be unapologetic of what you are doing to reach them, definitely something to keep in mind
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Paula,
I already know you’re all about just getting it done. That’s exactly it, be unapologetic in your approach, don’t make excuses for what you want. Just get out there and get it.
Emily says
This is so inspirational! I am definitely going to slay my goals, not just achieve them.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Emily,
WOOT! Go get it, girl. Love that you’re leveling up your approach to goals.
Kelly says
Waiting for the “right” time or “right” way to start is a hard one to get over sometimes but so important! Great advice!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Kelly,
You’re quite right, the “right time” just does not exist. Right now is always the right time to get started.
Emily says
It can be so difficult to be unapologetic about our goals. I need to try to be more!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Emily,
I know it is, I made excuses and apologized to myself and others for a LONG time before accepting. No guilt, no shame, just pursue what you want. That’s the goal slayer’s mentality.
Once you start, I promise you’ll never want to stop.
Renata Green says
To me, this sounds a bit confusing and even slightly aggressive. I believe it’s very important to take care of your personal needs – it’s just another way of achieving things. And even if you don’t achieve – it doesn’t make you a less precious being.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Renata,
That’s nothing wrong with being aggressive. To me, reading this almost sounds like having passionate ambition and unrelenting fervor for your goals is a bad thing. And it’s not. This is your life, these are your goals and your dreams if there’s anything worth being serious about. It’s this!
That being said, I’m 100% supporter of taking care of yourself and your needs.
As explained, when you’re slaying your goals you realize that it isn’t about the goal, it’s about who you become when you’re going after what you want (even if you fail and don’t reach it).
Hope that clarifies what slaying your goals really means. But hey, they’re your goals, go about it, however, makes you happy.
Lees says
It’s so easy to create excuses for not finishing or dedicating time to something. This is a great motivator to remember that everything is possible if you make the time and create a disciplined regimen to slay your goals! Thanks
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Lees,
Isn’t that the truth? We make excuses all the time for not taking action, not putting the time in. I am all about the routines and habits for success, that’s how you slay your goals on the daily.