You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Aim for the moon; if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
It sounds great in an Instagram caption, doesn’t it? But in reality, following this mindset when setting your goals for the new year could be holding you back from real growth in your business.
Here’s the thing: If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated because you’re not achieving the results you want, the problem isn’t that you’re not aiming high enough. The problem is you might be aiming at the wrong things. Let’s talk about how to fix that.
3 Common Goal-Setting Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Unrealistic and/or Uninspiring Goals
One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is setting goals that either feel impossible or are too small to spark excitement. For example, if you made $5,000 this year and set a goal to make $1,000,000 next year, there’s no part of your brain that’s going to believe it’s possible. Plus, you’d have to completely overhaul everything about your business—your offers, your audience, your systems—to even get close.
On the flip side, setting a goal like increasing your income from $5,000 to $10,000 might feel achievable, but it’s hardly motivating. It’s not enough to make a real impact, and it won’t get you out of bed on those cold January mornings.
Instead, aim for something you believe in but that also feels like a stretch. As Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy say in their book 10x is Easier Than 2x, bigger goals force you to think creatively, rather than just doing more of what you’ve already done.
2. No Clear “Why” Behind the Goal
Without a strong reason for setting a goal, it’s easy to let it slip down your priority list. Take it from me: In 2023, I wanted to redesign my outdated website, but it wasn’t urgent, so I never got around to it. But in 2024, when my website theme became obsolete and vulnerable to hackers, redesigning it became a necessity. My “why” was now big enough that it moved to the top of my priority list.
While your “why” doesn’t need to be urgent, it does need to be meaningful enough to keep you motivated. When setting a goal, ask yourself:
- Why is this goal important to me?
- How will it impact my business?
- Does it align with my bigger vision?
3. Vanity Goals Without Context
Vanity metrics—like gaining 1,000 Instagram followers—can feel good but don’t necessarily translate into business growth. If those followers aren’t your ideal audience, they won’t help you make sales.
I’ve seen this firsthand. I once posted an Instagram reel that went semi-viral. The majority of the new views and followers I gained? 18-year-old boys who were never going to buy my services.
Remember, likes and followers won’t pay your bills. Instead, focus on goals that directly impact your bottom line, like increasing leads or sales from qualified prospects.
Set Goals That Work for You
If any of these mistakes resonate with you, don’t worry—you’re not alone. The good news is that you can avoid these pitfalls and set goals that truly move the needle for your business.
Imagine starting 2025 with:
- A clear understanding of what worked and didn’t in 2024.
- Inspiring, realistic goals aligned with your vision.
- A detailed, actionable marketing plan for Q1 that’s ready to go on January 1st.
You don’t have to do it alone. My Dream Big, Plan Smart: 2025 Goal Setting & Marketing Workshop is designed to help you set the right goals and create a plan to achieve them.
Why Join the Workshop?
- Two live sessions: December 11th to review 2024 and set your goals for 2025, and December 18th to map out your Q1 marketing plan.
- Exclusive tools: Plug-and-play templates and spreadsheets to make planning easier.
- Support and feedback: Voxer access for Q&A and brainstorming between sessions.
Don’t let another year pass without a plan that sets you up for success. Let’s make 2025 the year your business grows like never before.
? Sign up here to join the workshop and start the new year ready to hit the ground running.
