Big goals can be overwhelming because they often come with big change. For example, wanting to lose weight, quit smoking, or exercise more are great goals to have but are easier said than done because they usually require a big lifestyle change.
If you’ve ever wanted to go after a big goal but felt paralyzed by how daunting it feels, you’re not alone. I’ve been in this situation time & again and I learned that big dreams start with small, intentional goals.
As a nod to my one of my reader’s struggles, and maybe you’ve been in this situation too, I wrote this post on pursuing big goals without getting overwhelmed from a simple system I still use today.
1. Break Big Goals Into Smaller Steps.
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” – Napoleon Hill, author
After I graduated from college, got married, and had kids, I thought that my big goals in life were over. I could not have been further from the truth.
During this period of my life, I learned how to systematically reach my goals by breaking them down into smaller, digestible steps. You want to start with the end goal in mind and work your way backward. Write your big goal, a specific timeline of when you want to finish, and small steps to reach it.
Here are some examples of big goals (in bold) broken down into smaller steps:
- Get an education: pick a program, choose a school, create a table of application & financial assistance deadlines, schedule meetings & events on calendar, organize daily living schedule, make checklist of classes to take, track course credits, graduate with a degree
- Get a job: Update résumé, identify one or two job platforms, rehearse interview questions, apply to 1 or multiple job openings
- Pay off mortgage in 15 years: create family budget, save an extra payment each month, pay lump sum at the end of each year, liquidate mortgage in 15 years
Each step may be small but they build momentum over time. Progress, no matter how tiny, is still progress.
2. Focus On The Process, Not Just The Outcome.
I wanted to start blogging even before there was Instagram but talked myself out of it because I didn’t think anyone would be interested in reading my stuff.
Many years later, I realized that if I had just focused on the next step rather than the end goal, I would have been okay and who knows where I’d be today.
It’s natural to fixate on the end goal, such as graduating, landing the dream job, or buying a home. But if you’re only focused on the finish line, you might miss an opportunity to pursue a passion or fulfill a calling that was hidden along the path to your big goal.
Shifting your mindset to focus on the process can take away the pressure off of trying to reach your goal. The most important thing to remember, while on your path, is to value your self-growth along the way to chasing your big dreams because of value insights you’ll gain and possible doors that may open up that you never could have imagined.
3. Give Yourself Permission To Pivot.
I had a dream of selling planners once and when only a few people bought them, I felt like a failure. I actually created and tried to sell a few different versions before realizing that my heart wasn’t truly in it.
I stopped selling planners and learned that if things don’t go your way, it’s okay to give yourself permission to pivot. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things don’t go according to plan.
A program may not accept you, or a job you hoped for might fall through, but it doesn’t mean you failed. It means you have an opportunity to change course to something more aligned with your values or something even bigger.
I eventually pivoted to something I really love – reading & writing. It was a love that was I wasn’t getting money for but the amount of joy and pleasure they bring me are just as valuable.
The lesson here is, life may lead you down a more meaningful path if you’re willing to be flexible. You may land on a blessing in disguise or a love that was hiding in plain sight if you loosen your grip on one specific outcome and open yourself to other possibilities.
4. Build A Support System.
One thing I was oblivious about when I started pursuing my big goals in life was the importance of having someone to support you and keep you accountable.
I didn’t have anyone to answer to when I decided to pursue my passion for writing and possibly creating a business out of it.
Because of this, I didn’t have a sense of urgency to reach my goal. I allowed distractions to get in the way and it used to take me four times as long to write just one blog post.
You don’t have to carry your big goals on your own. Share your plans with a trusted friend, family member, group of like-minded people, or a mentor. Support can also look like finding communities online (e.g. Facebook groups), joining study groups, or networking with people in your field.
Having someone to report to or check in on your progress on a regular basis can make a huge difference. Sometimes a little encouragement can be the fuel you need to take you to your ultimate goal.
5. Care for Yourself Along the Way.
“Self-care equals success. You’re going to be more successful if you take care of yourself and you’re healthy.” -Beth Behrs
At the beginning of my blogging journey, I remember staying up late into the early morning hours to finish writing a blog post.
I pushed myself because I still had the mindset of no pain, no glory. I woke up after only a few hours of sleep and felt like crap.
The pain of feeling tired & haggard was not worth it and I even went back to change a lot of things I wrote because my post was written in haste and a half-awake brain.
When you’re pursuing a big goal, it’s easy to lose sight of the most important person, yourself. You’ll probably take longer to reach your goal when you don’t take care of yourself and may even make costly mistakes.
So start by setting personal boundaries to protect your peace. Remind yourself that your self-worth isn’t tied to your achievements. It’s measured by how far you’ve come, how much you’ve grown, and how much you embraced yourself along the way.
Last Thoughts On Pursuing Big Goals.
Big goals can feel heavy because if you’re only focused on the outcome, the change can feel huge & overwhelming.
By breaking down your goals, focusing on the process, being flexible, finding support, & caring for yourself, you’ll reach them in small, gentle steps and create a life for yourself & your loved ones without the overwhelm.
If you need more ideas on setting goals, check out 48 life goals to help you reach your goals and achieve success.
