As you may have now noticed, we rely very much on intentional living, which is goal-oriented living because this is how you enjoy life as you help others enjoy. It is expensive, though, as it involves investing your effort (focus and intentionality).
At its core, goal setting isn’t about impressing others, following a trend, or just conforming to motivational talks/books. It’s about clarity.
Imagine driving without knowing your destination. You’d waste fuel, time, and energy. A goal provides direction, helping you focus your efforts on what truly matters.
However, not everyone “needs” traditional goal-setting methods. Some succeed by instinct or sheer focus, but even in those cases, there’s usually an unconscious alignment with purpose—whether they label it as a goal or not.
Goal setting isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you naturally thrive by simply putting your mind to something, go for it. But for many, goal setting provides:
- A clear sense of direction.
- Motivation to stay consistent.
- A framework to measure progress.
At the end of the day, it’s not even about the label you give it—goal, vision, or priority. It’s about taking intentional action toward the life you want.
Don’t feel forced to set goals because others are doing it. Instead, identify what you care about and let your actions align with your values. Goals should reflect your personal vision, not society’s expectations.
Falling off track isn’t failure—it’s part of the process. Accept that distractions will happen, but they don’t define your journey. The key is restarting with new energy and strategies.
Goal-Setting Formula
Goal setting isn’t about rigid plans or trendy jargon. Just ask yourself:
- What excites me or I desire?
- What one thing can I start today to bring me closer to it?
- Then put it down into perspective for clarity and accountability.
How Goal Setting Helps
- Prioritize: In a noisy world, it’s easy to get distracted. Goals help cut through the chaos.
- Measure Progress: How do you know you’re improving if you don’t track where you started?
- Stay Accountable: Goals remind us why we started when the excitement wears off.
Unveiling the Secret Sauce to Goal Setting: Forget the Usual, Here’s What Works
Why Most Goal-Setting Advice Fails
Have you ever set a goal only to give up halfway through? You’re not alone. The truth is, most goal-setting advice sets you up for failure from the start.
Think about it—how many times have you been told to set SMART goals or “just work harder”? Yet, those goals feel uninspiring, and the motivation fizzles out.
Here’s the thing: Goal setting isn’t just about making a list. It’s about aligning your goals with your identity, values, and faith. When you do this, you unlock a level of clarity and drive you’ve never experienced before. Ready to transform how you set and achieve goals? Let’s dive in.
1. Start with Why (But Go Deeper)
Simon Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” This applies to your goals too. Your “why” needs to be more than just surface-level. It should reflect your core values, passions, and purpose.
Here’s how to do it differently:
- Instead of saying, “I want to save money to buy a car,” ask yourself:
“Why is this important to me? How will it improve my life and align with my long-term vision? Or is it a show-off? On whose benefit?” - Actionable Challenge: Write your goal as a mission statement.
- Example: “I aim to save $10,000 by next December because financial independence will allow me to buy my dream car/house/travel/relocate without stress.”
2. Align Goals with Your Identity
Who do you want to become? Many people focus on what they want to achieve without considering the person they need to become to make it happen.
For example:
- Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” say, “I want to become someone who prioritizes health and wellness in all areas of life.”
This shift transforms your goal from a chore into a reflection of your values.
3. Break It Down: The Power of Micro-Goals
Big goals are intimidating and often paralyze us into inaction. The secret? Break them into bite-sized pieces.
- Let’s say your goal is to save $5,000. Instead of focusing on the big number, break it into monthly or weekly targets.
- Example: Save $100 each week by cutting down on unnecessary spending.
Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Each step forward builds momentum.
4. Visualize, But Don’t Stop There
Visualization is powerful, but it’s only half the battle. Seeing your future success is great, but action bridges the gap between dreams and reality.
- Take it a step further: Pair visualization with action steps.
- Example: If you’re visualizing graduating college successfully with remarkable marks, write down three specific actions to move closer to that dream today. Maybe it’s studying for one hour, researching scholarships, or emailing a mentor for advice.
5. Be Flexible: The Power of Adaptive Goals
Life happens. Goals that are too rigid often break under pressure. Instead of being discouraged when things don’t go as planned, adapt.
- Ask yourself:
“What can I learn from this setback, and how can I adjust my approach?” - Example: If your initial plan to exercise daily fails, adjust to three times a week and build consistency from there.
6. Mindset Matters: Unleashing Inner Power
Your mindset is your greatest weapon. Without resilience, even the best plans fail. With it, you can overcome any obstacle.
- Faith plays a significant role in this process. When your goals align with your beliefs, they gain purpose.
- Remember: “Complaints don’t change circumstances, but focus and action do.” Shift your focus from what you can’t control to what you can change.
Reflective Question: Are you using challenges as excuses or as stepping stones?
7. Try These Game-Changing Techniques
- Reverse Engineering:
- Example: “I want to launch an online business selling custom phone cases by the end of the school year (3 months from now) and make at least $300 (ksh 40,000) in sales per month.”
- The 5-Minute Rule:
- Commit to just five minutes a day. This small, manageable action breaks inertia and builds momentum.
- Example: Spend five minutes practicing a skill like typing, drawing, learning an instrument, or online course or journaling.
- Accountability Partners:
- Don’t just pick someone who cheers you on. Choose someone who challenges you to stay on track.
- Example: Share your weekly progress with a mentor or friend who can provide constructive feedback.
Conclusion: The Goal-Setting Challenge
Think of your life as a grand adventure, a personal odyssey. You’re the hero, and your goals are the quests you must complete.
- Map Your Journey: Where do you want to go? What kind of person do you want to become? What impact do you want to make on the world?
- Equip Yourself: What skills, knowledge, and resources do you need to achieve your goals?
- Face the Challenges: Every hero faces obstacles. How will you overcome them?
- Celebrate Your Victories: Every step you take, no matter how small, is a victory. Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures.
What will you take as your first step on your personal odyssey?
Here’s your challenge:
- Pick one goal and align it with your values and identity.
- Break it into micro-steps.
- Commit to the 5-minute rule starting today.
“The future belongs to those who take the first step. Will you take yours today?”
Remember, your journey is unique. There’s no right or wrong way to live your life. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself and pursue your passions.
This isn’t about setting goals the old way. It’s about transforming how you approach life.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the dreams You have planted in my heart and for the gift of a new day to work toward them. Guide me as I set my goals and remind me that nothing is too big or too small when I walk in faith with You.
Grant me wisdom to choose the right path, courage to overcome challenges, and discipline to stay consistent. Help me to trust Your timing and to persevere, even when the journey feels tough.
Lord, may my goals glorify You, be productive, and bless others. Teach me to seek Your guidance at every step, knowing You are my strength and my refuge.
In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray,
Amen.
Hey, I’m Angeline, your RN and founder of Finally Am Found. With a heart for mentorship, I’ve been guiding teens and young adults since 2017. As a Registered Nurse, I blend medical expertise with personal experiences to create a Christ-aligned space for self-discovery. Connect with Angeline on Facebook and let the journey to self-discovery begin!
