How to Set Realistic Goals And Actually Achieve Them

It’s the beginning of 2025, and I’m sure many of us are diving into vision boards and New Year’s resolutions. Personally, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with vision boards. I create them, but somehow forget to look at them throughout the year. That said, the one year I did revisit my vision board regularly, my life changed in ways I didn’t expect I accomplished nearly everything I had envisioned. Maybe this year is the time to take vision boards seriously once again!

But whether you’re a fan of vision boards or not, one thing I absolutely swear by at the start of the year is setting realistic, achievable goals. There’s something so rewarding about setting a goal and hitting it. The sense of accomplishment is incredible! If you’re looking to make 2025 your best year yet, I’ve put together a simple step-by-step guide to help you set and crush your goals.

1. Clarify Your Goals

• Be Specific: The more specific you are, the clearer your path will be. Instead of just saying “get fit,” aim for something like “exercise 4 times a week” or “run 2 miles without stopping.”
• Break Them Down: Big goals can feel overwhelming. So, break them down into smaller, manageable steps. For example, running a marathon can be daunting, but “Run 2 miles without stopping” is something you can work towards right now!

2. Write Them Down

• Commit to Paper: Studies show that writing goals down makes you more likely to achieve them. Whether on a vision board or in a planner (personally, I love using a planner the one I am using this year is by Ink and Volt), putting your goals in writing helps solidify them in your mind.
• Create a Goal List: Organize your goals into categories personal, professional, health, etc. This helps you stay focused and prevents feeling overwhelmed.

3. Set a Timeline

• Set Deadlines: Having a deadline gives you the push you need to stay on track. Instead of just saying, “I want to learn a new language,” say “I will learn basic conversational Spanish by June.”
• Break It into Milestones: Mini-goals or checkpoints are a great way to track progress along the way. Celebrate those smaller victories as you move toward the bigger goal!

4. Make Your Goals SMART

• S.M.A.R.T. Goals are the perfect formula for success:
  • Specific: What exactly do you want to accomplish?
  • Measurable: How will you measure success?
  • Achievable: Is this realistic for you?
  • Relevant: Does it align with your values?
  • Time-bound: What’s your deadline?

Example: “I will save $500 by March 31st by cutting down on unnecessary expenses.”

5. Create an Action Plan

• List Actionable Steps: Break down each goal into smaller, actionable tasks. If your goal is to “learn to cook,” action steps could include “choose 5 recipes,” “buy the ingredients,” and “cook one meal per week.”
• Prioritize: Focus on the most important actions first to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

6. Develop Daily or Weekly Habits

• Routine is Key: Small, consistent actions add up. If fitness is your goal, commit to 20-30 minutes of exercise each day.
• Track Progress: Use a planner, app, or calendar to check off tasks and monitor your progress. You’ll be amazed at how motivating it is to see your progress grow!

7. Stay Accountable

• Tell Someone: Whether it’s a friend, family member, or an online community, sharing your goals with someone helps keep you accountable. You’re more likely to stay committed if you know someone else is cheering you on.
• Use Accountability Tools: I highly recommend the Ink and Volt planner it’s designed to help keep you on track throughout the year. There are also plenty of apps that can keep you motivated!

8. Review and Adjust Regularly

• Monthly Check-ins: Take time at the end of each month to review your progress. Are you on track? Do you need to adjust your approach? Life happens, and flexibility is key to staying motivated.
• Be Flexible: Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, and that’s okay. Adjust your goals or timelines as needed and keep going!

9. Celebrate Small Wins

• Acknowledge Progress: Celebrate every little milestone along the way! Whether it’s hitting a fitness target or saving your first $100 toward your goal, every step forward is worth celebrating.
• Reward Yourself: After reaching a mini-goal, treat yourself to something you love—whether that’s a nice meal, a fun outing, or just some well-deserved downtime.

10. Stay Positive and Persist

• Embrace Setbacks: Not everything will go according to plan, and that’s perfectly okay. Treat setbacks as learning experiences rather than failures.
• Mindset is Key: Keeping a positive attitude and reminding yourself of why you set these goals will help keep you going, even when the journey gets tough.

11. Keep the End Goal in Mind

• Visualize Success: Regularly remind yourself of your bigger “why.” Whether it’s getting healthier, building your dream business, or learning a new skill, keeping your end goal in mind will help you stay motivated during the tough times.
• Stay Inspired: Surround yourself with people or content that inspire you—whether that’s reading success stories, listening to motivational podcasts, or connecting with like-minded individuals.

12. Learn and Reflect

• Assess Your Journey: At the end of the year, reflect on what you’ve accomplished, what worked, and what didn’t. This will help you adjust and refine your approach for future goals.
• Adapt for the Next Year: Use what you’ve learned to make next year’s goals even more attainable.

When I first started setting goals, I genuinely thought they were impossible. But with persistence, a solid plan, and the right mindset, I’ve seen real change. I hope this guide inspires you to set goals that will truly transform your year.

So, are you a goal setter at the start of the year? Let me know in the comments if these steps were helpful or if you have any tips of your own! Let’s crush 2025 together!