How to Set and Smash Goals for Your Business and Life in 5 Simple Steps

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You’ve got bold dreams for your business and your life. You’ve set big goals that, once achieved, will transform everything for the better. But how do you actually crush those goals, especially the massive ones that feel overwhelming?

The secret lies in your mindset and actions. Crushing your goals means becoming someone who refuses to give up, takes consistent action, and finds solutions to every obstacle. It’s about believing in your ability to succeed and committing to seeing it through, no matter what.

Big, audacious goals—like building a six-figure business or achieving a major personal milestone—are powerful motivators. But if those goals leave you feeling paralysed instead of inspired, it’s time to shift your approach.

Not every goal needs to be huge. In fact, smaller, actionable goals should make up most of your plan. These smaller steps build momentum, confidence, and the discipline you need to reach the big milestones.

Crushing goals isn’t just about working hard—it’s about building a habit. When you train yourself to consistently hit smaller targets, you’re strengthening the “goal-crushing muscle” that will help you tackle the life-changing ones.

The good news? Anyone can develop this habit and create the business and life they dream of. To become a #goaldigger who achieves everything you set your mind to, you need to master key skills and habits—and practice them daily until they become second nature.

Ready to find out how? Let’s dive in.

Master the Skills to Crush Your Goals

When you’ve mastered the art of goal setting, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. Big or small, every goal becomes attainable when you have the right skills and strategies in place.

But how do you get there?

To truly crush your goals, you need to understand the process behind setting and achieving them. There are five distinct phases to this process, and each requires specific skills to navigate successfully. Once you’ve mastered these phases, you’ll have the tools to consistently set and crush goal after goal.

Let’s break it down step by step so you can turn your goals into reality.

5 Phases of Crushing Your Goals

Phase #1: Set Goals That Truly Matter to You

The first and most important step in crushing your goals is to set goals that genuinely matter to you. This is where many people go wrong—they set goals based on what they think they should do, rather than what they truly want or need.

Here’s the thing: if a goal feels like a “should,” it has no place on your list. To figure out if a goal is truly yours, connect it to your why. Ask yourself:

• Is this goal tied to my happiness, growth, or desires?
• Or is it based on someone else’s expectations (like family, friends, or even social media influencers)?

Your goals should reflect what matters most to you—not your parents, your cousin, or the Instagrammer you’ve been following. When your goals align with your personal values and aspirations, you’ll naturally feel more motivated to achieve them.

Tip: Make sure to set a mix of big goals (to stretch you) and small goals (to build momentum).

To refine your goals, try this coaching strategy: Write your goals down and review them daily for a week before committing to them. If something doesn’t feel right, cross it off before you invest time and energy into it.

Bonus Resource: If you’re setting business goals, check out this post: The 5 Types of Goals You Need to Set for Your Business.

By starting with goals that truly resonate with you, you’ll set yourself up for success from the very beginning. Let’s move on to the next phase!

Phase #2: Focus on Fewer Goals

One of the biggest mistakes in goal setting is trying to do too much at once. Instead of juggling 10 big goals a year, narrow your focus to just a few key objectives.

Here’s a simple rule:

• Pick 1–3 big goals to work on for the year.
• Add 3–5 small goals to support them or enhance other areas of your life.

For example:

• A big goal might be to lose 100lbs in a year.
• Supporting small goals could include exercising 5 times a week, meal prepping for breakfast and lunch, and hitting a daily step count.
• Other small goals could focus on things like visiting a new place or spending more quality time with family.

Why focus on fewer goals?

• Small goals are easier to achieve because they require less motivation, planning, and resources.
• Big goals demand more time, effort, and focus, so limiting the number of big goals ensures you don’t spread yourself too thin.

Pro Tip: Only ever work on a maximum of 5 goals at a time—whether it’s a mix of big and small goals or just smaller ones to start with.

If you’re new to goal setting or often struggle to complete your goals, start small.

• In your first year, set 5 small goals you know you can achieve. This builds your “goal-setting muscles” and boosts your confidence.
• In your second year, you can add big goals, knowing you’re capable of crushing them.

Coaching Tip for High Achievers: If yearly goals feel too restrictive, try a 90-day cycle. Set 3 small goals for each 90-day period to build consistency. Then, add 1 big goal for a future 90-day block to test your progress.

By focusing on fewer, more intentional goals, you’ll set yourself up for success without feeling overwhelmed. Let’s move on to the next phase!

Phase #3: Create an Actionable Plan

Having a goal is just the beginning—what truly matters is creating a clear, actionable plan to achieve it. Here’s how to do it step by step:

Step 1: Break Your Goals Down
Divide your big goals into smaller, manageable chunks:

• Quarterly Goals (90 Days)
• Monthly Goals
• Weekly Goals
• Daily Action Steps

This process creates mini-goals that serve as stepping stones toward your larger objective.

Step 2: Build Milestones
Break your yearly goal into quarterly milestones, then into monthly and weekly targets. These smaller goals are easier to tackle and keep you motivated as you see consistent progress.

Example: Losing 100lbs in a Year
Let’s break this goal down:

• Yearly Goal: Lose 100lbs.
• Monthly Goal: Lose 8lbs per month.
• Weekly Goal: Aim to lose 1.5–2lbs per week.
• Daily Actions:
  • Track your calorie intake.
  • Exercise on designated days (e.g., 3x a week for 30 minutes).
  • Plan and prep healthy meals.

Step 3: Implement Daily Habits
By breaking your goals into daily steps, they become part of your routine. Small, consistent actions add up over time, making even the biggest goals feel achievable. For example, tracking your meals or sticking to a workout schedule becomes a habit, not a chore.

Why This Works
Breaking big goals into smaller actions removes overwhelm and helps you stay on track. You’re no longer staring at a massive goal that feels out of reach—you’re simply focusing on what needs to be done today.

By creating an actionable plan and sticking to it, you’ll build momentum, develop habits, and make progress towards your goals every single day. Let’s move on to the next phase!

Phase #4: Develop the Right Mindset

Mindset is the foundation of success. To crush your goals, you must develop the mindset needed to support them—because without the right mindset, even the best plans and strategies will fall short.

Your mindset begins to take shape the moment you choose your goals. By selecting goals that are meaningful and aligned with what you truly want, you’re already taking the first step toward building the mental strength needed to achieve them.

But that’s only half the battle. The other half comes from tailoring your mindset to the type of goal you’re pursuing:

• For Health Goals: Develop a stronger mindset around healthy habits and what it means to live a balanced, active lifestyle.
• For Financial Goals: Focus on cultivating a positive wealth mindset, learning to manage money effectively and think long-term.

Many goal-setting frameworks emphasise action plans and tracking progress but overlook the importance of mindset. Yet, your mindset determines whether you follow through on your plans and stay committed when challenges arise.

Make Mindset a Priority
Take time to reflect on what has held you back from achieving this goal in the past. What beliefs, habits, or fears need to change for you to finally succeed?

Practical Steps to Build Your Mindset:

• Read Books: Dive into books related to the mindset you need, whether it’s health, wealth, or personal growth.
• Seek Support: Consider working with a coach or joining a community focused on the same goals.
• Stay Consistent: Treat mindset work like any other habit—practice it daily, even in small ways.

By making your mindset as much a priority as your action plan, you’ll build the mental resilience needed to crush your goals and achieve the success you’re aiming for. Now let’s look at the final phase!

Phase #5: Track Your Progress

Tracking your progress is an essential part of crushing your goals. It keeps you accountable, motivated, and gives you a clear picture of how far you’ve come.

When you hit those inevitable low points or feel like giving up, having a record of your progress can remind you of the steps you’ve already taken and reignite your determination to keep going.

From personal experience, I’ve seen the difference tracking makes. During times when I’ve tracked everything, I’ve been able to spot exactly where I slipped up and what I needed to adjust to get back on track. In the moments when I didn’t track, I struggled more and often regretted not having a clear view of my journey.

The Benefits of Tracking Your Progress:

• Motivation: Seeing your wins—big or small—written down or displayed in an app is a powerful motivator to keep going.
• Clarity: It helps you identify what’s working, what’s not, and where adjustments are needed.
• Momentum: Progress on paper builds confidence to tackle bigger goals and new challenges.

How to Track Effectively:

• Choose Your Method: Whether you prefer apps, spreadsheets, or pen and paper, pick a tracking method that feels natural to you.
• Record Consistently: Make tracking a daily or weekly habit. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just consistent.
• Review Regularly: Take time to reflect on your progress and celebrate your wins, no matter how small.

If digital tools are more your style, check out this curated list of the best planners and apps for tracking your goals.

By tracking your success, you’ll stay on top of your progress and have the motivation to keep pushing forward, even when the journey feels tough. Tracking isn’t just about reaching your goals—it’s about recognising and celebrating the steps you take along the way.

The Key Things You Need to Know About Crushing Your Goals

Everyone has the potential to set big goals and achieve them, but success requires following the right system. By using a clear, structured approach, you can turn even the most ambitious goals into reality.

Here’s the 5-phase system to crushing your goals:

1. Set Goals That Light You Up: Choose goals that are meaningful and aligned with your passions and values.
2. Focus on Fewer Goals: Prioritise 1–3 big goals and 3–5 smaller ones to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
3. Create Solid Action Plans: Break your goals into manageable steps with clear timelines.
4. Develop a Strong Mindset: Identify and overcome mental blocks while building habits that support your success.
5. Track Your Progress: Regularly monitor your achievements to stay motivated and adjust as needed.

Now it’s time to put this system into action. Crush your goals, and when you succeed, celebrate your wins with grace and gratitude.

If you’re ready to take the first step, download From Zero to Launch: The Ultimate Business Starter Checklist and start building a life and business you love.