You’ve probably set goals before—maybe at the start of a new year or after feeling inspired by a book or podcast. But somewhere along the way, you lost motivation, got overwhelmed, or simply fell back into old habits.
Sound familiar?
That’s because goal-setting alone isn’t enough. The real key to success lies in two often-overlooked elements:
Small, intentional steps
Consistency over perfection
Without these, even the best goals become just another unfinished to-do list or an unfinished project. Let’s dive into how you can finally start making real progress.
Step 1: Take Small, Intentional Steps (Instead of Trying to Do It All at Once)
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to overhaul their entire life overnight.
We get excited about a new goal and set huge expectations:
🚫 “I’ll start working out six days a week.”
🚫 “I’ll meditate for 30 minutes every morning.”
🚫 “I’ll completely cut out sugar and eat only healthy foods.”
While these goals sound great, they’re too big, too fast. When motivation fades (as it inevitably does), they become overwhelming, and we give up.
And what most people don’t realize is that if you “fail” at your goals, it’s not your fault! Because we have been taught that we have to make drastic changes and have to achieve big, massive goals for it to somehow be worthy of attention, respect and praise.
But that is far from the truth.
So let me tell you about how you can set goals that not only feel aligned to who you are, what you want in life and what your values are, but goals that feel achievable, sustainable and fulfilling.
A Better Approach to Goals: Start Small
Instead of focusing on huge, unsustainable changes, take tiny, intentional steps that feel achievable:
✅ Instead of “I’ll work out six days a week,” start with “I’ll move my body for five minutes today.”
✅ Instead of “I’ll meditate every morning,” start with “I’ll take three deep breaths before bed.”
✅ Instead of “I’ll completely cut sugar,” start with “I’ll drink one more glass of water a day.”
Small steps build momentum. They help you create lasting habits without feeling overwhelmed.
🩷 Action item: What’s one tiny step you can take toward your goal today?
Step 2: Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection
Another common mistake? Believing you have to be perfect to succeed.
We think if we miss a day or slip up, we’ve failed—so we quit. But the truth is, progress comes from consistency, not perfection.
Imagine two people setting a goal to work out:
Person A: Works out every day for a week but burns out and stops.
Person B: Works out three times a week, every week, for a year.
Who’s going to see more progress? The one who stayed consistent.
The 80/20 Rule: Progress Over Perfection
Success doesn’t require perfection—it requires showing up, even when you don’t feel like it.
✅ Missed a workout? Get back on track tomorrow.
✅ Ate something unhealthy? Make your next meal a good one.
✅ Skipped journaling? Write just one sentence instead of skipping entirely.
The key is to keep going, even when it’s messy.
🩷 Action item: The next time you “mess up,” instead of quitting, ask yourself: What’s the smallest way I can get back on track?
Step 3: Build Systems That Support Your Goals
Willpower alone isn’t enough—you need systems in place to make your goals easier to stick to.
Here’s how:
Set reminders. Use alarms, sticky notes, or apps to prompt your habits.
Create accountability. Tell a friend, join a group, or track your progress.
Make it easy. Remove obstacles that make your habit harder.
Example 1: Want to Read More?
🚫 Hard Way: Rely on motivation and hope you remember.
✅ Easy Way: Keep a book by your bedside instead of your phone.
Example 2: Want to Exercise More?
🚫 Hard Way: Wait until you “feel like it.”
✅ Easy Way: Lay out your workout clothes the night before. Schedule the days and time slots you will workout.
When you set up your environment for success, you don’t have to rely on willpower—it happens naturally.
🩷 Action item: What’s one simple system you can set up today to support your goals?
Progress Over Perfection is the Key to Long-Term Success
If you’ve been struggling to achieve your goals, it’s not because you’re lazy or lack motivation—it’s because you’re missing the right approach.
The secret?
✨ Take small, intentional steps.
✨ Stay consistent, even when it’s not perfect.
✨ Create systems that make your goals easier to stick to.
When you shift your focus from “all or nothing” to progress over perfection, you’ll finally start seeing real, lasting change.
Want More Clarity on the Small Changes That Will Have the Biggest Impact?
If you’re ready to identify the key areas in your life that need small shifts, my Life Audit Workbook can help.
This free guided workbook will help you:
✅ Identify areas where you feel stuck or unfulfilled
✅ Pinpoint the small, high-impact habits that will create real change
✅ Set goals that align with what truly matters to you
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