The founder's guide to goals that actually get done

Whether you're in the "new year, new me" camp or a long way from it, the chances are that during January, you'll be looking ahead.

What you want the next year to look like for you and your business. What you want to achieve. What would really move the needle and make all the difference to you.

But you also might have that little voice in your head that doubts you.

Not only can this voice derail progress toward a goal, but it can even make you change the goal to fit a construct that, if you're truly honest, doesn't really work for you.

The thing is, as business owners, we're often led down a path when it comes to goals. What we should want. We should want to grow our business by x, we should want to increase our social media following by y.

And if this is what you want, then crack on! But the thing is, achieving big goals is hard, and if your heart isn't in it – if you don't really care or are even bothered about achieving the goal you've laid out – you're setting yourself up for failure.

When we aren't truly connected to our goal, when we haven't thought about it fully, it can feel like "just another job" on the to-do list, and one that just feels like more work without the joy. But there is another way…

Setting a goal you actually care about – or adding the detail to make it real

I know, not exactly revolutionary, but stick with me.

When you last set a goal, how did you feel about it? Like it was a good idea or something that genuinely excited you?

Take the example of "to grow my business by x". I'm not saying that isn't a good goal – but is it exciting? Not on its own.

But how about "to grow revenue by x so I can take that course I've always wanted to do/employ someone to do the stuff I hate/take my children on a once in a lifetime holiday"? Feels more exciting, doesn't it?

This is the first step to a good goal – you have to really want to achieve it. It needs an emotional connection to keep you coming back for more when things don't go to plan.

How about a bigger goal?

Or, what about if you let your mind wander and think about what you really, really wanted to achieve? Not the things you're supposed to want.

Maybe you'd like to start a new business and do something completely different? Maybe you wish to launch a charity and raise huge sums to support a cause close to your heart?

• What's the biggest goal you really want to achieve?

• What would you set out to do if you knew you couldn't fail and that you wouldn't be judged?

This is an idea I really encourage you to explore. Because, without knowing it, we put limits on ourselves, and if we don't personally, we allow society to tell us what is and isn't meant for us.

In truth, however, the magic happens when you think about what you could do, without limits, not why you shouldn't.

Let's talk structure

Now we have our goal, we need structure. Because a goal without a plan is just a wish – and a vague one at that.

Let's revisit our "I want to grow my business" goal. What does this really mean?

• Revenue?

• Profit?

• Social media following?

• Website views?

• The number of dogs in the office at any one time?

See, growth can mean different things to different people. If we're not specific, we won't win!

Measurable also matters – how many dogs do you want in your office? Or, more likely, by how much money do you want to grow your profit? Because "some" doesn't cut it. Is £1 "some"? Be clear.

Another vital part of the puzzle is the deadline. When do you want to achieve this feat? Next year? Next week? In the year 2030?

It doesn't matter when, but if you don't know what you're aiming for, you can't plan the steps you need to get there, can you?

As you've probably realised, these are borrowed from the SMART goal-setting methodology, but you can (hopefully) see why they work.

VIDEO: Mastering the mechanics of achieving goals

In this Lunch and Learn, I delve into how to make your 2026 goals a reality by creating a simple step-by-step blueprint you can use to get to where you want to be:

Know the objective then add detail

When you know what you're aiming for, you can:

• add the detail

• understand the steps you need to take

• reverse-engineer the process

• create a blueprint or plan that you can follow

Instead of seeing some far-off goal and getting completely overwhelmed by its enormity, when you've structured the goal correctly and done the work, you have micro goals and small movements that edge you closer to where you really want to be.

The non-goal-setters

Some people don't set goals for various reasons. And I understand that.

But what I will say is that if you're not setting a goal because you're worried you won't reach it, you're kind of missing the point. To my mind at least.

Because while achieving the goal is the aim at the start, as you travel down the road and learn what you need along the way, you might decide you need to adjust your goal and change your route.

That's more than fine. It's actually part of the process.

My goals (or wishes) from when I was 10 compared to now are very different. And that's because of the information I've learnt along the way and the course corrections that have resulted.

For some people, life just feels too overwhelming and it stops them even considering adding anything else to their plate. And I get that too.

But by setting up the goal like this, and exploring those micro goals and small moves, you can make significant progress in those "wasted moments".

Like when you're on the train, or waiting to collect the children from school, or sitting in a doctor's waiting room.

Small progress is progress you should cherish, because it's a lot more achievable.

Small steps equal big things

As an example, I've written three books. One I published myself, one is published by Bloomsbury (it's called You've Got This – I recommend you read it if you like what you're seeing here) and I have another due out this year, also with Bloomsbury.

I had the great idea that I'd set aside weeks to focus on nothing else but the book. When I had this idea, I'm not sure if I completely forgot about the life I lead, but with clients, children, pets and all the other stuff, that was never going to happen.

Now, I could've admitted defeat. But I think the fact I've three books written shows that I didn't. I found the little chunks of time rather than the swathes…and it worked. I embraced progress over perfection from a time point of view.

I'm not saying it was easy, and I did become frustrated when I wanted to carry on but had to go and do something else. But life isn't perfect, is it? You just have to crack on.

By integrating the steps into my daily life, I actually achieved the task. Because I had my goal (submitting a book of several thousand words by a specific date), I knew what I needed to do to stay on track. This helped keep me focused and drove me forward.

Pick up your copy of Rhea's book from Bloomsbury direct, Amazon and all good bookshops.

A favour

So, if you're reading this and you've set a goal for this year, do me a favour, will you? Have a critical look at it.

• Do you actually care about it?

• What can you add to make it more interesting or provide an emotional connection?

• Or, should you just scrap it and start again?

• What would your goal be if you knew you couldn't fail? And how does that make you feel?

• And now, can you add the detail that will allow you to see the path from where you are now to where you want to be?

Just spend a few minutes on it and you'll be amazed at what comes out.

Let's make 2026 the year we actually make the big moves, shall we? And the best thing is, it all starts with small steps that we can all do…

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