Setting Goals You'll Actually Stick To In 2025

We made it!

Another year in the books.

How'd you do?

Any big wins you're celebrating? 

Any goals you failed miserably in? 

If you haven't yet set your intentions for the new year...or your goals aren't QUITE set in stone...I've got you covered.

We'll get back to the absolute BASICS of setting any goal using a tool that's time-tested and proven to work.

The SMART Method:

Specific: vague goals like "I'm going to get in shape," or "drink more water" will only get you more of nothing. Try something like "I'm going join a pilates studio and commit to 3 classes per week" or "I'm going to set a goal of drinking 1 gallon of water per day."

Measurable: here again, vague goals that include 'more' or 'less' can't be measured. Setting a specific amount like 'classes per week,' 'ounces per day,' or even 'journaling for 10 minutes every day,' can make it easier to track your progress and count your wins.

Achievable: goals should seem reasonable enough to wrap your head around. Climbing the tallest mountain when you've never even hiked before will set you up for failure. Try breaking the larger idea down into something you know you can commit to like hiking twice a week or committing to taking a class on hiking safety so you know what you're getting yourself into.

Relevant: goals that are tied to purpose, family, or a greater vision tend to be more inspiring. Generational Health is one of my favorite ties. Thinking about how my life is an example for my family and future generations is powerfully motivating. That fires me up to stay committed when I want to make excuses or give up.

*The key here though is to make sure you aren't setting goals that others want you to set...relevant also means authentically aligned.

Time-Bound: goals with a finish line give the brain a clear focus. It's much easier to go ALL IN when you know you HAVE to be finished by a specific time/date.

Many of you know this all to well...you wait until the last minute to finish a school project because you know you work best 'under pressure.' It's not the pressure but the LASER focus you finally dial into that gives you access to those further reaches of the brain.

Goals that follow these basic principles are more likely to be achieved than those that don't.

Which, when you put it that way, makes sense WHY most people fail miserably on their new year's resolutions.

Setting outrageous and incredibly vague goals...

Jumping on every new shiny idea.

Setting goals to escape the pain instead of charting a course for success.

A goal has to have purpose.

It has to have meaning.

But it also has to keep you motivated with specific markers of achievement.

Goals posts, if you will.

And ultimately, it MUST have a deadline. Because without one, your old life will always get in the way.

So this time of year, is NOT the time to criticize, judge, or punish yourself for failing on any of last year's goals.

It's a time to review what worked and what didn't so you can grow from it.

Set SMART goals for the new year then support those goals with the Inner Work Journal.

Can't wait to see what you create in the new year!