From Big Goals to Action Goals: How to Set Yourself Up for Success

When it comes to achieving goals, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of setting big, life-changing aspirations. We envision the finish line—whether it’s running a marathon, losing weight, or building a new habit—but often, we skip over the crucial steps needed to get there. I know this all too well from my own journey. For years, I’d set these extreme goals like “lose 50 pounds” or “get in shape,” only to find myself overwhelmed and back at square one.

The game-changer for me? Learning to break big goals into small, actionable steps—or as I like to call them, action goals.

My Personal Turning Point

For much of my life, I struggled with my weight and overall health. At my heaviest, I weighed over 260 pounds, and I felt stuck in a cycle of setting these massive goals. I’d tell myself, “This time, I’m going to lose all the weight,” or “I’ll start working out daily” without any real plan to make it happen. Inevitably, I’d burn out, frustrated by my lack of progress.

And then I just gave up trying to do it all.  I asked myself, “What can I ACTUALLY do and not mess up?” So I tried eating a few more veggies but still let myself eat pizza when I really wanted it. And I told myself to go to the gym and just do whatever didn’t feel terrible or intimidating which meant the elliptical while catching up on the Real Housewives. Once those started feeling easier, I added a little more. I found salads that I looked forward to eating and I started doing walk to run intervals on the treadmill. When I started building more run intervals, I put more energy into that and worried less about adding more food related goals. I started shifting my thinking to what actions I could do fairly easily vs always thinking about the outcome.

Why Action Goals Work

Big goals are inspiring, but they can also feel overwhelming. Action goals, on the other hand, are concrete, manageable steps that you can take daily or weekly. They shift your focus from the distant future to the present moment, where real progress happens. Here’s why they’re so powerful:

1. They Build Momentum: Small wins create a snowball effect. Each action goal you achieve gives you the confidence to tackle the next one.
2. They’re Measurable: Unlike vague resolutions like “get healthier,” action goals are specific and trackable. For example, “Drink 8 glasses of water today” or “Do 10 push-ups.”
3. They’re Adaptable: Life happens, and big goals might need to shift. Action goals allow you to pivot without losing sight of your overall vision.

How to Turn Big Goals into Action Goals

Here’s a step-by-step process to break down your big goals:

1. Define Your Big Goal: Start with a clear, inspiring goal. For example, “Run a half marathon”
2. Identify the Milestones: Break the goal into smaller chunks. If your goal is to run a half marathon, your milestones might include running 5K, 10K, and eventually 15K.
3. Create Action Goals: For each milestone, outline specific, actionable steps. For running a 5K, your action goals might look like this:some text
   • Week 1: Walk for 20 minutes three times.
   • Week 2: Throw in some 30 second jogging intervals to your walk.
   • Week 3: Jog for 1 minutes, walk for 2 minutes, and repeat.
4. Track Your Progress: Use a journal, app, or habit tracker to log your achievements. Celebrate each step, no matter how small.
5. Adjust as Needed: If an action goal feels too hard or too easy, tweak it. The key is to keep moving forward.

My Results (and How You Can Get Yours)

Using this approach, I discovered a love for running. I went from not being able to jog for more than three minutes for weeks to completing ultramarathons. I finally saw some progress in my health which included weight loss. And it all started with small, actionable steps.

This method isn’t just for fitness goals. Whether you want to improve your eating habits, start a new career, or learn a skill, breaking your goals into action steps makes them achievable.

Your Turn

Take a moment to think about your big goals for the year. What’s one small step you can take today to move closer to them? Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

Next week, we’ll dive into the importance of planning and how it sets the stage for success. Don’t miss it!

Need Help Reaching Your Goals?

If you need support or accountability to turn your goals into reality, I’m here to help! Check out levelwell.com/services for programs designed to fit your needs. Or feel free to reach out, and we can chat about what’s best for you.

YOU GOT THIS!!!! If I can run an ultramarathon, believe me that you can do anything you want!!!

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