Goal setting
Photography by Katie Lawman @lawmanandco
We all have visions for the future, goals we want to achieve, and big dreams we hold for some day. Whether it be buying a home, starting a business, running a marathon, or saving for a holiday. But dreams on their own rarely move forward. To make them real, we need clarity, structure, and consistent action. That’s where goal setting comes in
Think of goals as your roadmap. Without them, you’re wandering. With them, you’re moving with purpose. And the best part is that setting goals doesn’t have to be complicated
The first step is to get clear on your dream. Ask yourself what you really want. This is the big-picture vision, the thing that excites you when you think about it. Don’t worry about how realistic it is right now; permit yourself to dream without limits
Once you know your dream, break it down into smaller, achievable steps. Big goals can feel overwhelming, but when you divide them into bite-sized pieces, they become much more manageable. For example, if your dream is to run a marathon, your smaller goals might be to start running two to three times a week, then build up to a 5K, then a 10K, then a half-marathon. Each step along the way brings you closer to the bigger picture
Writing your goals down is a powerful way to bring them to life. Whether you keep them in a journal, on sticky notes around the house, or in your phone, seeing them often helps you stay connected to them. Writing them out makes them real and front of mind
Timelines are also important. Without them, goals can sit on the shelf forever. Ask yourself when you’d like to achieve each step by, and give yourself a realistic but motivating deadline. This creates momentum and helps keep you accountable
Then comes the most important part: taking action. Focus on the next step rather than the entire staircase. Even ten minutes a day toward your goal adds up over time, and those small, consistent efforts are what create real change
Remember to check in with yourself. Life happens, and sometimes goals need to be adjusted. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it simply means you’re flexible enough to adapt. Take time to reflect on your progress, celebrate your wins, and shift things as needed
Your dreams are possible. You don’t need to have everything figured out today; you just need to start. Write down one dream, break it into three smaller goals, and choose one action you can take this week. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your dreams begin to take shape
