Use These Tips to Elevate Your Goal-Setting Game

Let’s be honest—setting goals is easy. But setting good, effective, motivating goals that actually stick? That’s a whole different game. If you’re tired of vague goals and constant setbacks, here’s how to level up your goal-setting approach in a way that feels real, doable, and (dare I say it?) even fun.

1. Start with the Big Picture

Before you jump into action, ask yourself:

What do I want?
Why do I really want this?
What will be different for me if I get there?

Be specific. Vague goals are tough to stick with and nearly impossible to measure. But don’t box yourself into a hyper-focused outcome, either.
Think of your goal like a movie script—there can be multiple versions of the story that all end happily, just with different details. Your "why" is the emotional driver behind your goal. It’s the heartbeat. This is what keeps you moving when things get hard—and it’s what connects your goal to your core values.

Give your goal life, babes.

2. Meet Yourself Where You’re At… Right Now

You can’t change where you are, but you can change where you’re headed. So meet yourself where you’re at.

Be realistic. Be kind. And seriously—give yourself a break.

Set yourself up for success by being reasonable about what you expect. Anything new comes with bumps, setbacks, and surprises. Mistakes will happen. Plans will shift.

Let yourself be pleasantly surprised by what unfolds when you just start.

3. Ditch the Rules & Be Creative

Goals don’t need to be rigid or robotic. Be creative and practical. What’s actually going to work for you?

Look at your life with your realistic glasses on and ask:

How can I approach this differently?
What would feel more enjoyable?
What would make this goal easier to stick with?
Don’t overcomplicate it—just find what works for you!

4. Check Yourself Before You Stress Yourself

Before locking in your goal, pause and ask:

On a scale from 1–5, how confident am I that I can actually follow through?

If you’re not at least a 4 or 5, go back and tweak it. The more confident you are in your ability to follow through, the more likely you are to succeed.

It’s okay if this is a long, slow road—just imagine the view along the way.

5. Wins & "Whoop"-s

Please, for the love of whatever you believe in—celebrate your wins.

One of my favorite parts of coaching is pressing pause with my clients to say:

"Hold up… heyyyy! Let’s look at what you just accomplished!"

None of that “well... yeah but…” energy.
I get it—it’s hard to acknowledge your progress sometimes. But please try.

Little wins build confidence. Confidence builds momentum. Momentum creates change.

Ask yourself, what would my bestie say to me right now?

6. Using SMART Goals as Your Bumpers

You’ve probably heard of SMART goals—an approach created by George T. Doran in 1981 that’s still going strong today.
SMART = Specific, Measurable, Attainable/Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound

My take? Use this structure creatively. Make it realistic. Let it work for you, not against you.

Use this real-life example to help you get started…

What do I want?
“I want to increase my movement.”

Why do I want more movement?
“I want to feel stronger and make movement a regular part of my life again. I know I’ll feel more confident, physically and mentally.”

Where am I now?
“I’ve had success moving in the past, but it’s been several months. I’m out of routine, and movement feels like a chore instead of something I enjoy. But I want it back.”

Initial thought:
“I’ll rejoin the gym—like I did in my early 20s.”

Reality check:
That feels like a no. Just thinking about it makes me feel defeated.
Time for a different, more realistic idea.

SMART’in It Up

Specific: I want to increase my movement by trying out different activities I enjoy throughout the week. I’m keeping it flexible—no pressure on how I move, just that I do.
Measurable: I’ll aim for 10,000 steps per day (tracked on my Fitbit) and at least 30 active cardio zone minutes per week.
Attainable: I’m already averaging 7,000 steps a day. I know I can fit in 30 minutes of cardio during the week. Plus, my friends invited me to try a spin class—sounds fun!
Relevant: This goal supports my larger intention of making movement part of my daily life. It feels realistic, a little challenging, and definitely doable.
Time-Bound: I’ll track my progress weekly via Fitbit and commit to this plan for the next month to start.

You don’t need to change your whole life overnight. You just need to create goals that feel real and right now.

Make them doable. Make them meaningful. Make them yours.