Goal Setting: ‘Just Do It’

NOTE: This post contains updated content from the original published in 2015.

Let’s talk about goal setting.

Remember the Nike ‘Just Do It’ advertising campaign? Launched in the 80’s, with its no-excuses slogan and iconic swoosh logo, it encouraged consumers to associate their purchases with the pursuit of greatness.

In 2013, Nike celebrated the campaign’s 25th Anniversary with an inspiring film, Possibilities, which challenged viewers to push their limits and achieve new goals.

Have you explored your own possibilities? Challenged yourself lately?

Have you set clear goals for your life, career, or business this year?

Goal Setting: Start Now

Studies show that people who create and write down their goals achieve significantly more than those who don’t. Yet, many don’t take the time to set goals. But not you, right?

Let’s begin—right now—with a focused approach to goal setting.

1. Keep Goals Simple
   
   Limit yourself to no more than 3–5 goals. Or set one overarching goal that, when achieved, will significantly impact your life, business, or career. (my personal favorite)
   
   Example: “By year-end, I will increase my small business’s gross revenue to 125% of last year’s total.”
   
   
2. Make Your Goals “SMARTER.”
   (adapted from Michael Hyatt)
   
   Specific: Be clear about what you want to accomplish. Define the outcome.
   
   Measurable: Quantify your goal so you know when it’s achieved. For example, define what “more balanced” means if that’s your goal.
   
   

   Actionable: Use action verbs like complete, increase, or eliminate. Avoid vague terms like be or have.

   Realistic: Aim high enough to challenge yourself, but not so high that failure is inevitable.
   
   Time-bound: Set a clear deadline for achieving your goal.
   
   

   Exciting: Make your goal personally compelling. Knowing your “why” will motivate you when things get tough.

   Relevant: Ensure the goal aligns with your values, season of life, and priorities.
   
   
3. Identify Key Focus Areas
   
   As Peter Bregman states in Harvard Business Review, “A goal is a result; an area of focus is a path.”
   
   Determine 3–4 focus areas that guide your actions toward achieving your overarching goal.
   
   
4. Write Everything Down
   
   Document your overarching goal, focus areas, and the key activities required in each area to achieve success.
   
   
5. Schedule and Commit
   
   Add these activities to your calendar. Make time for them, or you risk falling behind as other priorities take over.
   
   
6. Prioritize Learning
   
   Set 1–3 learning goals to support your big, overarching goal. This keeps you focused and avoids wasting time on every “shiny new” course or program. (Trust me—I know the shelf of unfinished books and courses too well.)
   
   
7. Create a Visual Reminder
   
   Consider creating a vision board that visually represents your goal. Use images and words that inspire you, then post your vision board where you’ll see it daily.
   
   
8. Share Your Goal
   
   While you don’t have to broadcast your goal to everyone, share it with someone supportive—your coach, mentor, colleague, or spouse. Saying it out loud builds accountability.
   
   
9. Regularly Review Your Progress
   
   Schedule regular check-ins—weekly, monthly, or at a pace that works for you. Assess your progress, refine your focus areas, and recalibrate as needed.

Get Your Game On

As the Possibilities video encouraged:

• Run a mile. Run a race. Run a marathon.
• Ride a bike. Ride a bull. Ride a tougher bull.
• Score the goal.

Write down your goal(s). Outline your key focus areas. See it. Commit to it. Own it. Then, Just Do It.

Goals can benefit us, yet I acknowledge that not everyone finds SMART goals appealing. Personally, I use a more hybrid approach to goal-setting. We can find what works best for you too.

If you’re ready to take on a big challenge and need a partner to help you gain clarity, stay accountable, and achieve success faster, schedule a conversation with me today. Let’s work together to reach your best.