By this point in the new year, I’m betting most of your new years’ resolutions have gone by the wayside, or you may be having a tough time hanging in! Getting motivated to stick with it, or to even get started, takes some futuristic thinking. Consider this: if you do absolutely nothing to make the desired change you want to make in your life, you’ll be in exactly the same place next year at the end of January as you are this year at the end of January. So, when you get stuck and motivation is low, ask yourself, “where do I want to be one year from today?” It doesn’t really matter if one year from today starts on January 1st or February 1st, or February 12th or 13th! One year may seem like a long time, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s just enough to make meaningful progress toward your dreams—if you approach it the right way. Whether you want to grow personally, professionally, or creatively, envisioning where you’d like to be a year from now starts with understanding the difference between goals and aspirations, breaking your goals into actionable steps, and being realistic about your current time and obligations.
Goals vs. Aspirations: Knowing the Difference
Before diving into the process, it’s important to distinguish between goals and aspirations.
Aspirations are the broad, long-term desires that inspire you. They’re big-picture ideas like “becoming a published author,” “achieving financial independence,” or “leading a healthier lifestyle.” They are the “big picture” vision that you may envision for your future.
Goals, on the other hand, are specific, measurable milestones that help you move toward your aspirations. For example, a goal to support the aspiration of becoming a published author could be, “Write 1,000 words daily for six months.” Aspirations are exciting, but in setting goals, you need to name it to claim it! In other words, you need to get SPECIFIC and REALISTIC!
Big goals can feel intimidating—and often paralyzing. (For a unique way to look at goals, check out David Caine’s blog, Do Quests, Not Goals.)
The secret to staying on track lies in breaking goals down into smaller, more manageable steps. Here’s how:
Breaking Goals Down into Small Steps
- Define Your Goal: Be SPECIFIC. To quote Dr. Phil, “you gotta put verbs in your sentences!” Instead of saying, “I want to get in shape,” say, “I will run a 5K in three months.”
- Identify Mini-Milestones: Divide the goal into smaller objectives. For the 5K example, start with running for five minutes daily, then gradually increase the duration each week.
- Create Daily or Weekly Habits: Make progress feel achievable by assigning bite-sized tasks to each day or week. For example, schedule training sessions three times a week and track your progress.
- Celebrate Wins Along the Way: Often we beat ourselves up because we don’t get it perfect every day. I always say to my clients, “just take the win!” Recognize and reward yourself when you reach milestones, no matter how small. There will be days when you’re overwhelmed or undermotivated. That’s just normal life. If you’ve committed to three workouts a week, but only get in two in a particularly busy week at work, give yourself the win for at least the two you did do! This keeps you motivated and focused.
Breaking goals into incremental steps makes the journey feel less overwhelming and provides a clear sense of direction.
Be REALISTIC About Your Current Obligations
Ambition is exciting, but it’s essential to balance your goals with your current lifestyle. Here are some tips to stay grounded:
- Assess Your Time: Take inventory of your existing commitments. Are you juggling work, family, or school? Be honest about how much time you can realistically dedicate.
- Prioritize Goals: Not everything needs to happen at once. Choose one or two goals to focus on and give them your full attention.
- Work With Your Energy Levels: If you’re a morning person, schedule your most challenging tasks early in the day. Respect your natural rhythms. If your body is awake at 7 am, but your brain is at its most creative and focused later in the day, schedule your hardest stuff then.
- Be Kind to Yourself: Life happens. If unforeseen events disrupt your plans, don’t let guilt derail you. Adapt and keep moving forward.
By setting realistic expectations, you’ll avoid burnout and frustration, making it easier to stick to your plan. Where you want to be one year from today is entirely up to you. By understanding the difference between aspirations and goals, breaking those goals into actionable steps, and being realistic with your current obligations, you’re setting yourself up for success. Remember, progress doesn’t require perfection—just consistent effort. So take that first step today, and future you will thank you a year from now!
One day, or day one. You decide.
