
Itâs almost September, and if youâre like most people, you probably set goals in Januaryâor maybe just last weekâthat you were excited to achieve. But hereâs the big question: howâs it going so far?
Whether youâre on track, feeling stuck, or just getting started, the truth is this: itâs never too late to reset and realign. The important thing is not just setting goals, but setting them in a way that gives you the best possible chance of success.
Here are 6 powerful steps to help you write goals that workâand more importantly, achieve them.
Step 1: State Your Goal Positively
Your brain doesnât process negatives well. If you say, âI donât want to be late anymore,â guess what your brain hears? Late.
Instead, flip the script:
- â I want to lose 5 kg.
- â I want to be 65 kg by June.
Focus only on what you want to move toward, not what youâre trying to avoid.
Ask yourself:
- What do I hope to change?
- What outcome do I really want?
Step 2: Put Your Goal in Context
A goal has to make sense for youâyour life, your situation, your values.
Ask yourself:
- Where will this goal take me?
- In what areas of my life will this goal matter most?
- By when do I want it?
When a goal is grounded in your reality, itâs more likely to stick.
Step 3: Express Your Goal in Specific, Sensory Terms
What will you see, hear, and feel when you achieve your goal? Visualization isnât daydreamingâitâs programming your brain to recognize success before it arrives.
Close your eyes and imagine:
- What will I see when this goal becomes reality?
- What sounds and feelings will confirm Iâve achieved it?
Your brain will start steering you in that direction.
Step 4: Choose a Goal You Can Fulfil Yourself
Your goal must depend on you, not other people. You canât control traffic, the economy, or someone elseâs choicesâbut you can control your own effort and mindset.
Ask:
- Does this goal depend on me or someone else?
- How much control do I really have?
- Whatâs one thing I can take full responsibility for today?
Step 5: Evaluate Honestly the Effects of Achieving Your Goal
Sometimes success comes with trade-offs. A promotion may mean less family time. Breaking a habit might shake up your social circle.
Ask:
- What will I gainâand what might I lose?
- How will my life really change once I achieve this?
- Am I prepared for those changes?
The more honest you are, the smoother the journey will be.
Step 6: Choose a Worthwhile Goal
Your goal should feel aligned with your values and purpose. Otherwise, even if you achieve it, it may feel empty.
Ask:
- Is this worth the effort it will take?
- Does this reflect who I want to be?
- How will this matter in the bigger picture of my life?
When your goals connect to your identity, they become fuel for growth.
âď¸ Final Word: Stay on Course
Think of yourself like a pilot. Did you know airplanes are off course more than 70% of the time? Yet they still arrive safely, because the pilot keeps making small adjustments.
Your goals work the same way. Donât give up if you hit storms or detoursâadjust, reset, and keep moving forward.
The most successful people arenât the ones who never face obstacles. Theyâre the ones who stay clear on their goals and keep adjusting until they arrive.
So, hereâs your reminder:
đ Stay on course.
đ Keep adjusting.
đ Know what you want, and go for it.
