Blog

By: Krissy Fuller

Setting and Achieving Personal Goals and Not “Just Winging” It in 2025

The new year is here, resolutions have been made (some have probably already been dropped), and there’s a whole bright year ahead.  What will it hold?…none of us know.  In business there is always an air of uncertainty.  We do our best to limit surprises, but we can’t eradicate them all.  I was having a conversation with some friends about resolutions, and how some of them gave up on setting them because they never follow through with them.  This led us to talking about goal setting and how we often are taught how to set goals.  We’re taught to dream and see the big picture, (the big goal) but sometimes, we aren’t taught how to break that down into smaller goals so it’s obtainable.  I’m a processor by nature so as I replayed some of the day’s events this one definitely had a bit of a highlight reel. How common is it for people to not make resolutions?  As it turns out around 70% of Americans don’t make them.  (Here’s a link to some more interesting stats if you’re interested and what I used for this blog as it hit the average of other resources.)  For those who do set resolutions, a high percentage(above 80) is based on health.  Next on the list is financial.  SO, I thought I’d give my perspective for my little corner of the world here and share some actionable steps to set and achieve your goals.  In case you don’t know how, want a refresher, or just love a good list!! (There’s tons of book/blogs etc on this so if mine doesn’t work for you – peruse the internet – you’ll find LOTS!)    

Why Personal Goals Matter

First things first: why should you even bother with personal goals? Well, they help you:

1. Stay focused on what really matters (like finally learning to juggle or mastering the art of making the perfect cup of coffee).
2. Measure your progress (because who doesn’t love checking things off a list?).
3. Keep your motivation high (and avoid the temptation to binge-watch yet another season of that show you swore you’d finish “next week”).

Step-by-Step Guide to Goal Setting

1. Reflect on Your Current State

Before you can leap into the future, take a moment to reflect on where you are now. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? And why did you eat that entire pizza last Friday? (No judgment—we’ve all been there.) A little self-reflection goes a long way. This may be the most crucial part of the process. You HAVE to be honest here.  I’m all for giving grace to ourselves, but you’re really setting yourself up for failure here if you aren’t brutally honest with yourself.  

2. Dream Big (But Not Too Big)

Think about where you want to be by the end of 2025. Want to run a marathon? Write a novel? Or maybe just remember where you left your keys? Whatever it is, jot it down! Just remember: dreaming big is great, but if your goal is to become an astronaut by next week, you might need to recalibrate.  Astronaut by the end of the year, is that realistic??  Perhaps if you’re in the industry already, or are you talking about taking a flight on Virgin Galatic? Here’s a real time example – let’s say you want to be an astronaut through Virgin Galatic by year end.  It’s not possible.  And I’m not being a nay-sayer, they’ve just paused their operations for commercial spaceflights while they upgrade their fleet.  This is an unrealistic goal.    **point being:  be honest and do your homework for your goals this year!

3. Use the SMART Framework

Transform those dreams into SMART goals:

• Specific: “I want to get fit” becomes “I will exercise three times a week.”
• Measurable: “I want to read more” becomes “I will read 12 books this year.”
• Achievable: “I want to learn quantum physics” might not be realistic if you struggle with basic math.
• Relevant: Make sure your goals align with what truly matters to you—like finally learning how to cook something other than ramen.
• Time-bound: Set deadlines! Instead of “someday,” aim for “by March 31st.”

4. Break It Down

Take each goal and break it into smaller, bite-sized tasks. For example, if your goal is to write that novel, start with “write one page a day.” That’s much less intimidating than staring at a blank page thinking, “I’m going to write the next great American novel in one sitting!” Spoiler alert: it’s probably not going to happen.

5. Share Your Goals

Tell someone about your goals—preferably someone who won’t roll their eyes or suggest that Netflix is a valid alternative. Sharing your goals creates accountability and might even inspire others to join you in your quest for greatness (or at least in your quest for more pizza).

6. Celebrate Small Wins

As you make progress, celebrate those small victories! Define what that looks like for you.  Perhaps it’s treating  yourself to that fancy coffee, new workout gear, a massage, or ice cream.  Maybe it’s as simple as a chart on the wall that as you achieve your small wins you get a gold star, it worked in school, probably still works now!  Whatever your thing is – make sure you do it. The more success you feel – the more likely you are to keep going, which will ultimately get you to that big goal.

A Few Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Setting Too Many Goals: Trying to change everything at once is like trying to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle—impressive but likely disastrous.
2. Being Too Hard on Yourself: Life happens! If you miss a workout or forget about that book, don’t beat yourself up. Just dust yourself off and keep going.
3. Ignoring Progress: Remember that every step forward counts—even if it’s just getting out of bed before noon on a Saturday.

Goal setting doesn’t have to be a serious endeavor filled with stress and anxiety. Embrace the process with humor and flexibility! Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. So as we take on 2025, let’s commit to setting personal goals that inspire us while also allowing room for laughter and the occasional pizza binge. Here’s to achieving our dreams—one SMART goal at a time! We’ve got this! ANDDDD if you’d like to share, let me know your goal!