Beyond S.M.A.R.T Goals: A holistic approach to personal growth
Effective Goal Setting: the path to getting what you want
As we move through the new year, it's natural to reflect on the year gone by and to start thinking about what lies ahead. For those looking to shape their future and make it their own, this is the perfect time to start considering your goals. Setting goals has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to bring your dreams to life, and there's plenty of research to back that up. But here’s the thing: how you go about setting your goals has a huge impact on your ability to actually achieve them.
Goals are guided by your motives, values, and priorities
The energy, drive, and motivation needed to work toward your goals can only be truly sustained if they’re aligned with something you genuinely want. We’re only motivated to work toward things that matter to us, things that resonate with our values and desires. Trying to achieve something that isn’t meaningful to you - simply because you think you “should” - won’t last. False ambition can never be sustained.
Personal growth requires permission
Your goals are long-term visions of who you want to be and what you want to create. Achieving them requires you to give yourself permission to succeed. Often, we hold ourselves back because of deeply ingrained fears or limitations - whether it’s a fear of failure or doubts about our own worth. Overcoming these internal barriers is key to unlocking your potential and dreaming big. The more permission you give yourself to aim high, the more achievable those dreams become.
Your environment is powerful
Where you are, who’s around you, and the resources you have access to - both internally and externally - play a significant role in how you achieve your goals. Sometimes, we’re lucky to be surrounded by the perfect environment for success, while at other times, it might not be ideal. Your environment can either support or constrain your progress, so it’s worth considering how your surroundings influence your ability to move forward.
The neuroscience of goal setting
There’s an important science behind goal setting that’s worth understanding on a deeper level. Different areas of the brain are involved in various stages of goal setting - envisioning, scheduling, committing, and taking action. Initially, our brain is motivated by reward. This gets us excited and ready to act. But as we move forward, the focus shifts from reward to effort, requiring a new mindset and different behaviors for long-term commitment. Recognising this shift can help you tap into the right behaviors at each stage of your journey.
Choosing the right goal-setting approach
There are countless goal-setting techniques, worksheets, and workshops out there, each offering a different approach. It’s important to do your research and find the method that works best for you. Techniques like S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) can be helpful because they’re simple and structured. However, they often miss the human element - the emotions, motivations, and complexities that come with setting and sticking to goals.
Holistic approaches, like those used in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Coaching, take a more progressive, individualized approach. They consider the complexities of each person, helping you align your goals with your deeper values and emotional drivers. This can lead to more sustainable progress and a greater sense of fulfillment as you work toward your goals.
Ready to set your 2025 goals?
If you’re ready to take your personal growth to the next level and get the most out of 2025, I’d love to help you make it happen. Whether you’re looking for online coaching or prefer in-person sessions at Diamond Creek Natural Medicine Centre, I’m here to support you in setting meaningful, achievable goals.
Book your coaching session before the end of February and enjoy 20% off your first two sessions, setting you up for success in the new year.