7 Keys to Achieving Your Goals
You’ve set your goals or intentions and you’re ready to start the new year. (If you haven’t yet finalized your 2025 goals, first reflect on how far you’ve come and then use my goal setting prompts to guide you.) According to studies, only 9% of people keep their New Year’s Resolutions, so let’s ensure you’re one of them.
Here are seven keys to achieving your goals:
1. Create goals that inspire you.
Think through what you want to achieve personally and professionally. After all, we’re committed to your growth at work and in life. In thinking about goals that inspire you, research shows that you’re more likely to have meaningful progress toward “specific and challenging goals”. I like to call these unicorn goals, the kind that make your heart flutter a bit and still leap forward with enthusiasm. It might include switching to a new industry, starting a side career, or developing a new hobby.
2. Be clear on why the goal is important to you.
Reflect on how your goal aligns with what is most important to you and who you want to become. If your goal feels like something you have to do for others, it will be hard to motivate yourself in tough moments. (And there will be tough moments!) I recommend keeping track of your goals on your phone lock screen as a reminder every day.
3. Focus on what you want to learn as much as what you want to do.
People often get stuck in their goals because they’re only looking for a specific outcome. Then when they don’t reach their desired outcome fast enough or at all, they get frustrated. When you aim for new learning, it’s possible to achieve this even if you don’t achieve a specific goal.
4. Create a system to support you.
To make your goals more attainable, break down each goal into parts and consider what steps or milestones you’ll need to achieve in order to reach your goal. For example, if your plan is to transition to a new industry, you’ll want to set up informational interviews to learn more about the field you’re considering, update your resume, research professional certifications, and apply to companies that align with your goals. Here’s an important detail: Add all of these steps to your calendar or give yourself a specific deadline by when you’ll complete the tasks.
5. Find ways to celebrate your progress.
Celebrating progress is one of the foundation aspects of making your One Bold Move a Day. Jot down in a journal or on your phone what you were able to make progress on at the end of each day. Start a Bold Move Folder to keep track of your notes and accolades. Create a way to celebrate yourself, whether with a favorite snack (Trolli sour gummy worms for me!), TV show, or an outing to a special place.
6. Consider who you want to bring as a partner on your journey.
In one of my favorite research studies (why yes, I do have favorite research studies), a hill appears 20% steeper when you’re by yourself than when you’re with others. Whether your hill is literal or figurative, it helps to have an accountability partner committed to your success. You can picture me cheering you on!
7. Make your one Bold Move a day.
Remember that Bold Moves are intentional actions that help you move forward, learn, and grow. The Bold Moves you choose bring you closer to your goals every day―and have the power to change the trajectory of your personal life and career.
For more on this topic, including all the templates and strategies I use in goal-setting and celebrating progress, pick up a copy of my book, One Bold Move a Day.
This post was originally published in January 2022 and has recently been updated to help you reach you biggest goals this year.