7 Ways To Reframe (AND Achieve) Your Goals

Think back to January of 2020. Did you have all your goals for the year on the calendar, your glittering vision board ready, and did you know how to achieve your goals (or at least have some idea)? It’s safe to say that pretty much everyone did.

Then we ALL got a huge surprise in the form of a worldwide pandemic. 

So how is that “goals” list for 2020 looking now? If there are a ton of things you planned on but had to shift, pivot, or forget altogether, you’re in good company.

Then again, global catastrophe or not, hitting all your goals has never exactly been a walk in the park. After all, do you ever find yourself making the same New Year’s Resolutions and setting the same goals, year after year, only to make them again the following January? 

(Yep, us too!)

Just the word “goals” can trigger a ton of crazy thoughts, like these…

What if you set a big goal and fail? Does that mean something about you? Or if you do #allthethings and stick to your goal like glue, but you still fall flat?

But what if you could shift how you see goals, take the pressure off, and approach them in a way that is inspiring, expansive, and even forgiving?

Today we’ve got 7 simple steps to reframe “goals” and how to achieve them! We’ll share how we define goals and our favorite tips to stop stressing and start achieving. This is one step-by-step “how to achieve your goals” list that you won’t see anywhere else!

Then, we’ve got the ultimate “goals” secret that will change how you see your “to-do” list once and for all…

Ready to reframe your goals, learn how to achieve them no matter what the circumstances, and start making BIG things happen in your life? Let’s go!

1- Redefine your terms.  Does even the word “goals” freak you out? That’s understandable! But if this is the case for you, try this.

Reflect on this feeling. What is it about goals that make you push the panic button? Maybe it’s because you’re afraid to fail. Or you feel they’re unattainable anyway, so you don’t even want to try. Or it could even be that you’re not sure the goal you’re setting is something you even want.

Now, how about starting with redefining the word “goals” itself? Try this definition and see how it sits with you…

A goal is simply a promise to yourself that you will try. 

In other words, you’re promising yourself that you will set this goal, take the steps, and do your best.

That might sound like the exact opposite of the motivational speaker mindset, right? Some argue that if you don’t approach goals with a rigid “do or die” attitude, you aren’t serious enough about them.

But let’s be real–how is that grim determination working out for you? Sure, you might achieve things, but how do you feel about the “rewards” of your efforts once you get there?

We’re suggesting turning the tables on goals. Take the pressure off, and start seeing them as an intention instead of an ultimatum. 

2-Get clear on your “why.” What really motivates you to set goals? Be real about what you honestly want out of the goals you set. Be aware of your motivation, then ask yourself if that drive is enough to move forward.

For example, are you setting a goal because you want to feel good about yourself? Or is it more of a soul-based calling that you can’t ignore? Are they ego-based or heart-centered? Do you see yourself taking the outcomes personally, or in stride?

Don’t judge your motivations, but be honest about them! Then assess (or reassess) your goals accordingly.

3-Make sure the goals are yours. Ever had a moment where you got that thing you were going after and you felt…just OK about it? Maybe the underwhelm was because that goal wasn’t yours to begin with. It really doesn’t matter how you plan to achieve your goals if you’re not that into them in the first place!

So many of us check the societal boxes and call them goals. The college degree, the marriage, the house, the family, the picket fence. But then you get one or all of them, and you wonder why you’re not jumping for joy. OR, you don’t get any of them, and you wonder what’s wrong with you.

Not that there’s anything wrong with these goals in and of themselves. They’re all wonderful! It’s just that like ANY goal, they may or may not be your goals. 

So be careful to set goals for what you want rather than what you think you should want. Because if you don’t, one of two things will happen. You’ll either get what you think you want and change into someone you don’t want to be. Or you won’t get what you want, and wonder why you’re such a failure at life.

So know where your goals are coming from. Then make sure that they’re YOUR goals, and be sure they’re for the right reasons.

4- Become who you need to be to get what you want to have. They say that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. That means that to get something new, you’ve got to become someone new. You need to shed who you are now and allow room for growth. Allow yourself to grow into the person who can both receive and achieve new things.

This is part mindset, part spirituality, and part self-awareness. But it’s essential for moving into a new space and achieving a new goal. (It’s also a part of the picture that many of us overlook!)

5-Set one BIG goal with NO timeline. Most traditional goal-setting includes rigid, non-negotiable end dates. You want to have this by that date, and nothing else will do. That’s the traditional mindset (even with a lot of “manifestation” practices!).

But we’re going rogue here by telling you the exact opposite. That is, set your ultimate big goal with NO timeline at all!

This is an extension of the idea that goals are intentions instead of mandates. Make your biggest wish with an open-ended timeline, and relax. The action-taking part will happen in the next step!

6- Set the next best step for your big goal (and take action with what you have NOW). Now that you have the overall vision, start taking action. Decide what the next best step is, and give that step a timeline. Write it down, put it on the calendar, and take action.

Use the resources you have right now, no matter how many or few that you have. Don’t wait until you have more money, lose more weight, or have more support. No matter what, there is always a small step that you can take TODAY. Take it, and take it now.

Then once the next best step is done, rinse and repeat! Put the next best step on the calendar, and take action. 

7- Check-in early and often. Remember how we said to make sure that your goals are truly yours? It’s not a one-and-done thing. As you go along with each next best step, check in with yourself. Look at where you are. Then ask yourself if the goal you’re moving toward is still the goal that you want.

Be clear about your checkpoints, too. What milestones and checkpoints are you looking at? Are then based on numbers, metrics, feelings, or a little of everything? Be clear about how you’re measuring your progress, and pay close attention to how you feel along the way. Then if the original goal is still a GO, carry on. If not, then determine whether you need to correct course, or find a new goal altogether.

Now, here’s the little secret about goals that you might not have even considered before. Ready?

Goals aren’t about the goal itself. They’re about embracing the process, not the outcomes. The ultimate goal of any goal is to open yourself up to new ideas, resources, and conversations. It’s about stepping into a new space and moving into something bigger than who you are right now. It’s owning the future that you want to have, and taking the steps to get there.

Most of all, the ultimate goal is to LOVE yourself more and give yourself more compassion in this space.

Pretty radical reframe, right? But it’s a liberating one, too. Start seeing goals as an opportunity to step into a new space. Open yourself up to receive, and have bigger and more expansive experiences.

Sounds much more exciting than an obligation-filled “to-do” list, doesn’t it? It’s a lot more fun than beating yourself into submission just to “achieve” something.

Best of all, this method is a LOT more successful in the long run!

So set your big goal, and forget the “due date.” Take it one next best step at a time, and check in with yourself along the way. Correct course when you need to and don’t be afraid to let go of a goal that’s no longer aligned with who you are. THIS is how to make goals and adventure instead of an obligation.

Try these steps and watch your goals start happening for you in a brand new way!

So what do you think? Do you feel clearer on how to achieve your goals? Leave a comment and share what struck you as the most radical reframe, and let us know which tip you’re going to put into action!

P.S. Check out this episode of Money & Marketing where we share how automation and delegation will help you take back your most valuable resource in your business: your TIME!