Simple Goal Setting Steps to Stay on Track All Year
Updated for 2025
Even though my plan with me video is from 2024, the steps are still the same!
Goal Setting Steps that Will Work for You All Year Round
Spoiler alert: You can start your goals any day of the year, and it still counts!
We’re a few months into the year, and maybe you’re wondering, "What are goal setting steps that actually work?” or “Is it too late to set goals for the year?” Or maybe you’re reading this in December or early January, feeling the pressure to have your whole year mapped out perfectly.
Here’s the thing: You don’t have to start on January 1st. When it comes to setting goals and achieving them, your goals are valid no matter when you begin. Growth, progress, and change aren’t tied to a single day on the calendar.
So, grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive into how you can set, plan, and actually achieve your goals—anytime. Because goal setting after January is just as powerful as goal setting on January 1st.
In this blog post I’ll share a step-by-step guide to planning out your goals any time of the year.
Step 1: Reflect & Set Clear Intentions (No Matter When You Start)
At the heart of intentional goal setting is reflection. This step is about looking back, celebrating your wins, learning from challenges, and clarifying where you want to go next. Before you set new goals, take some time to process what has worked for you in the past and what hasn’t. Understanding your patterns will help you set goals that feel more aligned and achievable.
One of my favorite ways to do this is through guided journaling. Here are some prompts to help you reflect:
What am I most proud of accomplishing in the past year (or quarter)?
What challenges did I face, and what did they teach me?
How do I want to feel in the coming months?
What does success actually look like for me?
Another helpful exercise is creating a "Best Year Yet" list—a list of 10 things that, if achieved, would make this your best year ever. Keeping these front and center gives you clarity and motivation as you move forward with your goals.
Step 2: Choose a Word (or Theme) for the Year
Instead of setting a long list of resolutions, I love choosing a word of the year—a guiding theme that helps shape my decisions and mindset throughout the year. This word acts as an anchor, a reminder of what I want to cultivate in my life.
Some examples of guiding words for your year include:
Balance – to prioritize rest and well-being as much as ambition
Expand – to step out of your comfort zone and welcome new experiences
Joy – to focus on what truly makes you happy and fulfilled
If picking just one word feels limiting, you can also choose a short phrase or mantra that resonates with how you want to move through the year.
Step 3: Focus on Quarterly Goal Planning (12 Weeks at a Time)
I swear by quarterly planning (also known as the 12-week year). Why? Because 12 months can feel overwhelming, but 12 weeks? That’s doable. This method allows you to focus on a smaller set of goals and make meaningful progress without feeling like you have to plan out an entire year in advance.
Revisit Your Big Vision
Before setting short-term goals, take a step back and think about your long-term vision. Where do you want to be in 3, 5, or 10 years? What excites you? What truly matters? This vision will act as your north star when breaking things down into smaller, actionable steps.
Rate & Journal on Your Life Areas
To create well-rounded goals, I like to break my vision into different life areas—career, health, relationships, personal growth, and so on. Evaluating where I currently stand in each area helps me see where I want to focus my energy in the next 12 weeks.
Review Your Last Quarter
Every 12 weeks, I do a personal check-in:
What progress did I make?
Where did I struggle, and what can I adjust?
What habits or routines supported my goals?
This reflection helps me stay on track and pivot if needed instead of waiting an entire year to make changes.
Set Your 12-Week Goals
Once I’ve reviewed my progress, I choose 1-3 priority goals for the next 12 weeks. Keeping the list short ensures that I stay focused and make meaningful progress rather than spreading myself too thin.
A well-structured 12-week goal is:
Specific & measurable (e.g., “Run a 5K” instead of “Get in shape”)
Aligned with your bigger vision
Something that moves the needle forward towards your big vision
Break It Down Into Actionable Steps
To avoid setting vague goals, break them down into small, actionable steps with clear deadlines.
Ask yourself:
What’s the first small action I can take today?
What needs to be done weekly to keep me on track?
How will I measure my progress along the way?
Step 4: Bring Your Goals Into Your Daily Life
Setting goals is one thing—actually following through is another. To stay consistent, you need to make your goals part of your daily routine. Here’s how:
Schedule it. Treat your goal-related tasks like important appointments. Block out time in your calendar to work on them consistently.
Build supporting habits. If your goal is to read more, start by reading for just 10 minutes a day. Small, repeatable actions create momentum.
Stay accountable. Set up regular check-ins with yourself or an accountability partner. Tracking your progress keeps you engaged and motivated.
Progress doesn’t have to be massive to be meaningful. Even small, incremental steps add up over time.
Common Goal-Setting Mistakes to Avoid
If you’ve ever struggled to follow through on your goals, you’re not alone. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for and how to fix them:
Setting too many goals at once.
It’s tempting to want to change everything at once, but spreading yourself too thin leads to burnout. Instead, focus on 1-3 key goals per quarter.
Skipping the reflection phase.
If you don’t take time to reflect on what’s working (and what’s not), you risk repeating the same mistakes. Schedule regular check-ins to stay on track.
Not tracking your progress.
Without a system for measuring progress, it’s easy to lose motivation. Use a planner, habit tracker, or journaling system to celebrate small wins and adjust when needed.
TL;DR: How to Set Goals Anytime (Not Just in January)
Reflect on where you are and what you truly want. Take time to look back before moving forward.
Choose a guiding word or theme for the year. Let this shape your mindset and decisions.
Use a 12-week planning approach. Break big goals into quarterly sprints.
Integrate goals into daily life. Schedule time, build habits, and track progress.
Adjust and reassess quarterly. Pivot when needed to stay aligned with your vision.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Is it too late to start goal planning?”, the answer is no! You can start anytime and still create real, meaningful progress.
Want Help Mapping Out Your Goals?
I created a free set of 12-week goal-setting worksheets to help you turn your vision into a clear, actionable plan. Access them here and start creating the life you want—on your terms.
