Have you ever set a goal, gotten excited, and then almost instantly felt the weight of fear or doubt? Maybe you thought, What if I don’t reach it? What if I fail? Suddenly, the very thing that was supposed to motivate you feels heavy, stressful, and almost impossible.
Here’s the truth: goals are made up. They’re targets we create to help our brains focus on what we want. And if you use them the right way, they can unlock possibilities you never thought were available to you.
I help clients realize dreams and goals they never thought possible, not by working harder or hustling more, but by thinking bigger, training their minds, and learning tools that make achievement not only possible, but inevitable.
In this post, I’m going to share powerful strategies for using goals as tools for growth (instead of weapons of self-criticism), how “impossible” goals can change your life, and the exact process I teach clients to map out and achieve what they want.
And if you’re ready to take these concepts deeper, I’d love to support you with personalized coaching so you can stop circling the same frustrations and finally step into the life you’ve been dreaming of.
The Most Powerful Way to Use Goals (and the Biggest Mistake Most People Make)
A goal is simply a direction for your brain. When you choose one, it tells your reticular activating system (RAS), the part of your brain that filters what’s important and what isn’t, what to focus on. Suddenly, your brain starts spotting opportunities, connections, and solutions that were always there but hidden in the noise.
The mistake most people make? Using goals against themselves.
They set a goal, then layer on thoughts like:
What if I don’t reach it?
I should be further ahead.
I’m failing already.
Instead of becoming a source of energy, the goal becomes pressure and stress.
But remember: it’s just a made-up target. You get to decide whether it inspires you or crushes you. The key is to use goals as a compass, not a measuring stick for your worth.
Why Impossible Goals Are the Secret to Growth
So, what is an “impossible goal”?
It’s something you’ve never done before.
It feels far beyond where you are now.
It makes your brain freak out, and maybe even makes you want to throw up a little.
That’s the point.
When you set an “impossible” goal, you force yourself to grow into someone new. It stretches your thinking, your creativity, and your resilience. Even if you don’t achieve it exactly, the person you become on the way is worth more than the result itself.
Think about it: would you rather achieve something small and safe, or become the kind of person who makes the impossible possible?
The Trap of “How Greed”
One of the biggest dream-killers I see in my clients is something I call “how greed.”
This shows up when you say: I’ll believe it’s possible, but only if I know how.
The problem is, you can’t know how until you start. The only way to discover the path is by taking the first step.
Instead of obsessing over how, just decide your dream is possible. Then do the next right thing. That next step will reveal the next one, and then the next.
The truth? You don’t need the full roadmap, you just need to keep moving forward,
Living “Should-Free”
Here’s a radical idea: you don’t have to go after your goals.
When you think, I should be doing this, I should be further along, all you create is overwhelm, pressure, and stress. That energy doesn’t get you where you want to go, it keeps you stuck.
Instead, go after your goals because you want to. Because it’s fun. Because it stretches you. Because it makes life exciting.
And while you’re at it, practice being happy right now.
If you think your goal is going to make you feel fulfilled, proud, or joyful, start practicing those emotions today. When you can feel them in the present, you’ll enjoy the journey and achieving the goal will feel like a bonus.
A Four-Part Process for Achieving Any Goal
Here’s a simple but powerful system I teach clients for making goals happen:
Identify a Specific Goal.
Define exactly what you want and by when. Be specific “I will run a 5K by October 15th” works better than “I want to get healthier.”List the Obstacles.
Write down everything that might get in your way, lack of time, fear of failure, procrastination, etc.Brainstorm Strategies.
For each obstacle, write ways to overcome it. Maybe you’ll try, learn, adjust, or get coached. The point is to see obstacles as part of the plan, not evidence that it won’t work.Schedule It.
Put your strategies into your calendar. Be specific: “Decide on running shoes by Friday at 5 PM.” A decision is just a guess, make it and move forward.
This process helps you take consistent, practical action without getting lost in “someday.”
Are You Interested, or Committed?
Here’s a tough but freeing truth: if you’re not taking action, you’re not committed you’re just interested.
That doesn’t make you bad or lazy. It just means you need to be honest with yourself. If you really want the goal, commitment looks like following through even when you don’t feel like it.
And if you realize you’re not actually committed? That’s okay too. Let go of the guilt, stop beating yourself up, and decide what you truly want instead.
The Price of a Dream
Every dream has a price. And it’s usually not money, it’s willingness to feel uncomfortable.
Are you willing to feel scared? Overwhelmed? Vulnerable?
If you are, you can do almost anything.
Most people think negative emotions mean they’re doing it wrong. But discomfort is often the best sign that you’re growing. The goal isn’t to avoid it—it’s to walk through it.
Why Rushing Doesn’t Work
If you find yourself desperate to reach your goal as fast as possible, here’s what’s happening: you’re trying to get to the feeling you think you’ll have once you achieve it.
But here’s the secret: you can feel that way now.
Want to feel proud? Start practicing feeling proud of yourself today. Want to feel confident? Practice thinking thoughts that make you feel confident right now.
When you do this, you relax. You stop rushing. And ironically, you make progress faster because you’re not weighed down by desperation.
Your Next Step
Here’s what I want you to take away:
Goals are tools, not weapons.
Impossible goals are the most powerful because they grow you into someone new.
You don’t need to know how, just commit, take the next step, and keep going.
Feeling how you want to feel starts now, not later.
And if this speaks to you. If you’re tired of setting the same goals year after year and not following through, or if you’re ready to finally go after the dream that scares and excites you, I’d love to help.
Coaching gives you the tools, accountability, and support to stay committed when your brain wants to quit. It helps you dream bigger, act bolder, and create results you didn’t think were possible.
Sign up for coaching today and create your impossible goal together.
Because the life you want isn’t waiting somewhere out there. It’s waiting for you to decide—and take the first step now.
Are you looking for a great read that will help you understand coaching and it’s impact. Grab Jody Moore’s book Better Than Happy.
