Starting a new goal is such an exciting feeling, isn’t it? You picture yourself crushing it, maybe even imagine the “future you” who’s totally living their best life. But then…

Reality kicks in. Things get busy, motivation fades, and suddenly that shiny new goal feels like a chore.

Sound familiar?

I think we’re ALL nodding our head in agreement.

The truth is, sticking with a goal takes more than just good intentions. It takes a right mindset and a plan that actually works for YOU. And that’s what this blog is all about!

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

I’ll walk you through the simple but oh so impactful steps to help you not only get started on your goal, but also make it stick for the long haul. You’re going to learn:

• How to avoid common pitfalls
• 6 actionable steps for getting started on your new goal
• Tips for making motivation and action stick

Oh, and by the way, I created a FREE WORKBOOK just for you! It walks you through how to avoid the common pitfalls below plus all of the steps to get started on your new goal and make it stick! So definitely hit that button below, enter your name and email, then download the workbook and use it as you read the blog!

AVOID THESE COMMON GOAL-SETTING PITFALLS

Before you dive headfirst into your new goal, let’s talk about the common traps that can trip you up. Being aware of these pitfalls will save you a ton of frustration and keep you on track right from the start.

The most common goal-setting pitfalls are:

1. Setting unrealistic goals
2. Overcomplicating the process
3. Trying to do too much at once
4. Lack of clarity
5. Skipping accountability

When you sidestep these common pitfalls, you set yourself up for success before you even begin. Think of this as laying the foundation for everything else to build on.

SETTING UNREALISTIC GOALS

It’s great to aim high, but if your goal feels impossible, you’re setting yourself up for burnout.

Instead, keep it ambitious but still achievable. This doesn’t mean that you won’t eventually get to the place where your goal feels realistic, but you gotta start somewhere.

So for example, instead of saying, “I’m going to work out every single day for an hour,” try, “I’ll work out 3 times a week for 30 minutes.”

Once you’ve made that a habit, then make a new goal of working out every day for an hour, or bumping up your 3 times a week to an hour. You get the jist.

My point: small wins build confidence and momentum.

OVERCOMPLICATING THE PROCESS

Are you the kind of person that needs a 12-step plan before you even start? Here’s your new motto: simplify, simplify, simplify!

“You can’t be the kid standing at the top of the waterslide overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” – Tina Fay

Focus on the first one or two actions you can take today. You do NOT need every single detail mapped out to get started.

You just need that first step.

TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH AT ONCE

Taking on too many goals at the same time is truly a recipe for overwhelm. As I’m sure you’ve experienced!

Which means that I want you to pick just one goal to focus on, and then give it your full attention. Yes, just one!

And once you’ve created some momentum, that’s when you can add another goal to focus on.

Why? You’re already so busy, so let’s be realistic with what you can give – especially to new things.

Don’t forget to download your FREE WORKBOOK so you can go through the steps as you’re reading the blog – PLUS to save your action plan for later! So click that button below, add your info, then check your email!

LACK OF CLARITY

If your goal is vague, you probably have no clue where to start or if you’re even making progress.

“I want to eat healthier” is a grand idea, of course, but what does that actually mean? Get specific!

“I want to drink 8 cups of water and eat 3 types of vegetables a day.” Now you can actually figure out next steps and can easily track your progress.

SKIPPING ACCOUNTABILITY

Going at your goal alone can feel like pushing a boulder uphill – it only gets harder as you keep going.

“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” – Lucille Ball

So, for your sanity, share your goal with someone – a friend, a partner, or a coach like me – who can cheer you on and keep you honest.

Having an accountability buddy is like having a built-in motivator when your energy starts to dip. Why miss out on that?

6 STEPS TO GET STARTED ON A NEW GOAL & MAKE IT STICK

Now that we’ve covered what not to do, it’s time to focus on what will work!

Starting a new goal doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or complicated. In fact, with the right steps, it can actually be fun and motivating.

The following 6 steps are designed to help you go from “I think I want to do this” to “Wow, I’m actually doing it!”:

1. Decide what you want
2. Get excited about the benefits
3. Break it down into an action plan
4. Make new actions easy to do
5. Take action even when you don’t feel like it
6. Celebrate progress and reflect regularly

They’ll guide you in creating a plan, staying consistent, and feeling good about the progress you’re making – without the stress or self-doubt.

Ready to turn your big idea into action? Let’s break it down, step by step!

STEP 1: DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT

Before you take any action, you need to be crystal clear on what your goal actually is. I know, I know – this sounds obvious, right?

But remember a big hurdle to goal achievement is a lack of clarity! This lack of clarity leads to literally 92% of people failing at their goals. That’s MOST people!

As long as you don’t skip this step, it won’t be you.

So the first thing to do is get specific. Ask yourself: “What exactly do I want to achieve, and why does it matter to me?

For instance, instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” say, “I want to lose 10 pounds in the next 3 months so I can feel more energized and confident.”

The more detailed and personal your goal is, the easier it will be to stay focused and motivated.

It’s also really important to check in with your values. Does this goal align with what matters most to you? If it doesn’t, then it’ll be harder to stay committed in the long run.

Another example for ya: if “getting fit” doesn’t excite you, but “running a 5k” does, choose the goal that will make you want to engage.

Once your goal is clear in your head, you absolutely have to write it down and keep it somewhere visible.

Putting it on paper (or your phone or computer) makes your goal real and gives you something to refer back to when things get tough. Which, inevitably, they will. But here’s a science-backed reason to write it down:

A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology (and tons of other research) proves that writing down your goal increases the likelihood you’ll actually hit the goal by a whopping 42%. So just by writing it down, you’re already that much more likely to make your goal a reality. How crazy is that?

Here’s some tips to write down your goal:

• Get detailed!
• Use measurable language / make sure you can track your progress – like a S.M.A.R.T. goal (examples: add a due date, say what days of the week you’ll act, say how many times a week you’ll do something, etc.)
• Be realistic but still challenge yourself
• Include the reasons for why the goal is meaningful
• Bonus: Add visual aids like pictures of drawings to make your goal more vivid (aka make a vision board)

Be sure to download the FREE WORKBOOK so you can use the space provided to write down your goal and follow the rest of the steps! All you gotta do is click the button below, enter your name and email, then download and continue!

STEP 2: GET EXCITED ABOUT THE BENEFITS

Let’s face it: staying motivated can be tough, especially once the novelty of a new goal starts to wear off. That’s why it’s so important to connect with the ‘why‘ behind your goal.

When you focus on the benefits – how your life will improve, how you’ll feel, and what you’ll gain – it becomes a heck of a lot easier to push through those tougher moments.

So take a few minutes to imagine what achieving your goal will feel like. Picture yourself crossing the finish line, whether that’s literally running a race, finally launching your biz, or completing that creative project you’ve been dreaming about.

How will it change your day-to-day life? What new opportunities will open up?

“Set a goal that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning.” – Unknown

Now make a list of all of the benefits. For example:

• If your goal is to exercise more, you might look forward to having more energy, sleeping better, feeling stronger, or experiencing less pain.
• If your goal is to save money, maybe you’re excited about taking that dream vacation or having financial peace of mind and feeling stable.

Once you made that list, you gotta keep it somewhere you can see it every day, like on your desk, as your phone background, or even taped on your fridge.

Why?

Cuz when motivation dips (and it will!), this list will remind you why you started in the first place. The idea is that when you read the list, you get excited again and become even more willing to go through the tough moments since you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

And here’s a bonus tip: talk about your goal and its benefits with someone you trust. Sharing your excitement not only makes it feel way more real, but also helps reinforce your commitment. It’s kind of like having an accountability buddy.

STEP 3: BREAK IT DOWN INTO AN ACTION PLAN

No matter how excited you get, big goals can still feel hella overwhelming. That’s why breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps is a game-changer.

One of my favorite after work hobbies is puzzling, so I want you to think about this step like you’re building a puzzle. You don’t try to fit all of the pieces together at once, do ya? Nope, you start with the corners and edges, then work your way in.

So that’s what you’re going to do with your goal.

How? By following this process:

1. Identify the big milestones
2. Break it down even further
3. Assign deadlines
4. Use tools to stay organized

PART 1: IDENTIFY BIG MILESTONES

Start by asking yourself: “What are the major steps that I need to take to reach my goal?”

These milestones act as guideposts, helping you see the bigger picture without getting lost in the details.

Here’s an example: let’s say you want to write a book. Then your milestones may include outlining the chapters, writing the first draft, editing the first draft, and finding a publisher.

PART 2: BREAK IT DOWN EVEN FURTHER

Now that you have your milestones, you gotta break them down even more into smaller, bite-sized actions. The smaller, the better!

Why? Well, when something is too big, we freeze, overthink, get lost in perfectionism, then end up right back to where we started. You know it’s true.

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder 

Bite-sized actions helps you avoid overwhelm and actually keeps you moving forward. My motto is “just 1%” for a reason! 1% is doable and compounds over time.

For example: if your milestone is “write a first draft,” break it down into tasks like “write the introduction,” “finish chapter one,” or heck even “write 500 words today.”

My main point: make these tasks things that you can actually follow through on.

PART 3: ASSIGN DEADLINES

I love creating a little bit of urgency for myself to keep me going. It’s kind of magical how deadlines turn goals into priorities.

But you gotta be strategic with how you set those deadlines. Here’s how:

Take a look at your calendar and analyze when you actually will have the time and energy to do those tasks you created from your milestones. The key here is being realistic.

Give yourself enough time to succeed, but not so much time that you lose momentum.

Then assign target due dates for each milestone and task. And literally add them to your calendar to serve as a personal commitment to yourself.

Then add reminders and whatever else you’ll need to keep yourself accountable. I personally also love using timers on my phone and changing the name of the timer to something empowering and inspiring.

By the way, if you download the FREE WORKBOOK you can use and reuse it for as many goals as you’d like! So don’t miss out – click that button below, enter your name and email, then check your inbox!

PART 4: USE TOOLS TO STAY ORGANIZED

It’s a really good idea to keep all of your milestones, tasks, and due dates in one place – like your calendar! But I also like using my planner in tandem with my calendar since (call me old fashioned) I love the feeling of pen to paper.

You could also use digital planners, apps, or even just a simple checklist on a whiteboard.

I know I already mentioned this, but don’t forget to use calendar reminders, timers, sticky notes, and whatever else to keep your goal at the forefront of your mind.

Most people skip having a system to keep yourself on track, which is why most people fail at their goals. But you’re not most people – that’s why you’re reading this blog.

So don’t skip this step!

STEP 4: MAKE NEW ACTIONS EASY & VISIBLE

Alright, now you have a plan! Wahoo! Next, it’s time to stick to your plan. Which is, of course, the hardest part.

When it comes to sticking to your goal, the easier you make it for yourself, the more likely you’re going to follow through.

Which means that setting up your environment and creating habits that practically nudge you into action can make a world of difference.

And here’s the process to do exactly that:

1. Reduce friction for good habits
2. Increase friction for distractions
3. Make habits visible
4. Build in accountability
5. Start small

PART 1: REDUCE FRICTION FOR GOOD HABITS

What I really want to get across is that if your goal-related actions are inconvenient or hard to access, you’re just not going to do them. It’s human nature.

So I want you to think about ways to remove obstacles. Here’s two personal examples:

When I made the goal of working out in the morning before I walk my dog, I struggled with actually getting going once I got out of bed. So how did I remove obstacles? The night before, I now lay out my workout clothes, fill up my water bottle, and choose what workout I’m going to do.

Since my obstacle was getting started in the morning, I now get started at night.

“Do not wait for the perfect time and place to enter, for you are already on stage.” – Unknown

Secondly, when I made the goal of reading daily, I at first tried at night. But then I kept falling asleep and never remembered what I read, which became my biggest obstacle.

So how did I remove that obstacle?

I now read in the mornings for a few minutes before work when I’m most energized. Now I never fall asleep and always remember what I read! Which makes it that much easier to follow through.

The purpose here is to make your life easier. Life is already stressful and full of chaos, so don’t make your goal stress you out, too.

PART 2: INCREASE FRICTION FOR DISTRACTIONS

On the flip side, you also gotta make it harder to engage in habits that pull you away from your goal – aka distractions.

Distractions are way too easy to fall for. We all know this, but rarely do something about it. But not you!

For example, I had a client who was spending something like 6 hours a day on TikTok. She made the goal of reducing her screen time, but really struggled with it since opening the TikTok app was so easy, and since the notifications kept drawing her in.

It wasn’t until she actually deleted the TikTok app itself that she made serious progress on her goal, bringing her screen time to just 2 hours a day.

Make the distraction less accessible, and you’ll eventually remove the desire for it at all.

Here’s a friendly reminder to download your FREE WORKBOOK! Simply click that button below, add your info, then check your email!

PART 3: MAKE HABITS VISIBLE

Out of sight, out of mind, am I right? That’s what we want for our distractions, but not for our goals.

Which means that you gotta keep reminders of your goal front and center so you don’t forget what you’re working towards.

I personally love to use sticky notes all over my apartment. I’ll write down affirmations or the benefits that I’ll get if I achieve the goal, and stick the notes on my computer, fridge, bathroom mirror, and even office door.

I also use my phone’s alarms to set daily reminders / prompts for actions at specific times.

For instance, I have an alarm at 8:45 pm that says, “Take your melatonin now for a restful night and easy morning!”

PART 4: BUILD IN ACCOUNTABILITY

Let me be clear: accountability is NOT just about having someone check in on you – although that really helps. It’s really about having a system that keeps you consistent.

Here’s some ideas to build in personal accountability:

• Partner up with a friend or coworker who shares a similar goal.
• Join a group or a community focused on your goal – like a fitness class, a book club, or an online forum.
• Work with a coach who can guide you and keep you on track.

In fact, you can work with me! One of my more popular coaching programs is the Accountable Mindset program, so if you’re ready to turn your goal into reality, then check the coaching program out here.

PART 5: START SMALL

Don’t try to overwhelm your entire routine overnight!! Start with one small habit and build from there.

Once you got some momentum, it’s so much easier to add more. And every time you stick to your habit, celebrate it!

“Becoming proud of yourself is the best gift you can give yourself.” – Margo Vader

Even a small, “Yes, I did it!!” moment can boost your confidence and motivation to keep on going. I personally love giving myself little treats like a snack or a walk.

By making actions easy, visibile, and rewarding, you create a system that supports your success. With this foundation, you’ll be ready to stay consistent – even when you don’t feel like it!

STEP 5: TAKE ACTION EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

Here’s the brutal truth: you’re not always going to feel motivated. Some days, you’ll be tired, distracted, or just not in the damn mood.

Motivation naturally comes and goes, but the key to success is taking action even on those off days.

The good news? You don’t have to rely on motivation – in fact, you shouldn’t. You can instead rely on habits, systems, and a mindset shift. And here’s some effective strategies to do just that:

• Embrace discipline over motivation
• Use the 2-minute rule
• Rely on your plan, not your mood
• Have a go-to pep talk
• Turn it into a game
• Remember progress over perfection

These are really good strategies to save for later, when you need them most! So definitely be sure to download the FREE WORKBOOK so you can! Just click the button below, enter your name and email, then check your inbox!

EMBRACE DISCIPLINE OVER MOTIVATION

Motivation is great when we have it, but it’s unreliable cuz it fluctuates. Discipline, on the other hand, is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Start thinking of your goal-related actions as non-negotiable, like brushing your teeth.

You don’t wait to “feel like” brushing your teeth – you just do it since it’s a part of your routine. You’re disciplined.

And you CAN get there with new actions, just like you did with brushing your teeth.

USE THE 2-MINUTE RULE

I learned about the 2-minute rule in David Allen’s book Getting Things Done and, ever since, it’s changed my life.

If starting in and of itself feels overwhelming, scale it down. Commit to just 2 minutes of action.

This could mean writing a single sentence, doing one push-up, or organizing one drawer.

Often, getting started is the hardest part, but once you begin, momentum takes over.

RELY ON YOUR PLAN, NOT YOUR MOOD

When you’ve already broken down your goal into smaller steps and have set deadlines, you don’t need to rely on how you’re feeling in the moment.

Trust the plan you made when you were clear-headed and motivated.

“Failing is a crucial part of success. Every time you fail and get back up, you practice perseverance, which is the key to life.” – Michelle Obama

Embrace discipline over motivation and just follow through, even if for just 2 minutes. Then be proud of yourself for not giving your power away to a bad mood.

HAVE A GO-TO PEP TALK

When you’re dragging your feet, remind yourself of your why. Reflect on the benefits you listed earlier and visualize how you’ll feel when you’ve made progress.

And check your self-talk. If you just keep listing all of the reasons why you don’t want to do it in your head, your actions will match. But if you catch that negative self-talk and choose to empower yourself forward, then following through will be that much easier.

A coaching client and I made a little routine for catching negative self-talk and choosing your focus, which we called her personal “self-talk SOP”.

You gotta find your go-to routine for empowering yourself, too.

TURN IT INTO A GAME

Make boring or challenging tasks more fun by gamifying them.

Set a timer and see how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes. Or challenge yourself to ‘beat’ yesterday’s progress, like writing more words or finishing a task faster.

“I’m lucky that whatever fear I have inside me, my desire to win is always stronger.” – Serena Williams

The more fun you can have, and the more you can win at your own game, the higher the motivation and the easier it will be to take action, even if you don’t feel like it.

REMEMBER PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION

You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to do it.

A small step forward is always better than standing still. Don’t fall into the all-or-nothing trap. If you can’t give it your all, you can still give something.

So if you’re unable to give 100% today, then be okay with giving 25%. It’s better than 0%, isn’t it?

Taking action when you don’t want to isn’t easy, otherwise you’d want to! But it IS a skill that you can build. And the more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel in your ability to show up and keep moving towards your goals, no matter what.

By the way, don’t forget to download your FREE WORKBOOK! That way you can go through these steps now, and for your next goal! So hit that button below, add your info, then check your email inbox!

STEP 6: CELEBRATE PROGRESS & REFLECT REGULARLY

Achieving big goals is all about consistency and growth. And a part of staying consistent and continuously growing is taking time to reflect and celebrate your wins, both big and small.

Let’s talk about celebration first.

Too often, we focus on what’s left to do instead of appreciating what we’ve already accomplished. But EVERY step forward (no matter how small) is worth recognizing.

Why?

Cuz celebrating progress not only keeps you motivated, excited, and proud, but also reinforces the positive habits that you’re building.

Acknowledging your wins doesn’t have to be a big production. In fact, it should be super simple. As simple as checking something off your to-do list, pausing to appreciate the effort, or sharing your progress with a friend.

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey

You might also set up a visual tracker, like a habit chart or a journal, so you can literally see how much you’ve accomplished.

And if you hit a major milestone, go ahead and treat yourself – whether that’s a nice meal, a relaxing break, or something else that feels personal and rewarding.

Here’s the key: celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. Celebrate the fact that you’re showing up for yourself and taking steps towards the life you want.

When you recognize the work you’re putting in, you’ll feel more motivated to keep going, even when the going gets tough.

And reflection? That’s how you learn, adjust, and keep improving. Reflection is just as important as taking action.

Why?

Regular reflection helps you check on what’s working, what’s not, and what adjustments you might need to make. Without reflection, it’s easy to get stuck in autopilot and miss opportunities to improve or adapt.

A simple way to reflect is to ask yourself a few key questions every week or month:

1. What’s going well?
2. What challenges have come up?
3. What can I tweak to make this easier or more enjoyable?

Reflection isn’t about being hard on yourself. It’s about learning and growing. If something isn’t working, that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means it’s time to tweak your approach.

Maybe you need to adjust your action plan, simplify your habits, or give yourself more grace on tough days.

Don’t forget that progress is never a straight line – and that’s okay. Adjusting the plan is a part of the process, and means you’re doing it right.

When you make celebration and reflection part of your routine, you’re not just working toward your goal – you’re building habits and a mindset that will serve you long after you’ve achieved it.

And that alone is something worth celebrating every step of the way!

CONCLUSION

Getting started on a new goal is exciting, but sticking with it is where the real transformation happens.

By avoiding common goal-setting pitfalls, getting clear on what you want, and breaking it down into manageable steps, you set yourself up for success right from the start.

And you can use the FREE WORKBOOK to go through that process! So here’s your last chance to click that button below, enter your info, then check your email and download now!

Making your actions easy and visible, pushing through resistance, and celebrating progress along the way will keep you motivated – even when the initial excitement fades.

Remember, progress isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up consistently, learning from the process, and making adjustments as needed. Some days will feel effortless, and others will be a big struggle. But every small step forward adds up!

So, if you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to start, this is it. Take that first step today, no matter how small.

Your future self will thank you!