Is there a big goal that you are breaking down into bite-sized pieces? Do you have a goal that would benefit from this approach? Have mini-goals led to success in the past? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Like many writers, I dream of writing a book. I know my topic and have occasionally made attempts. There was the season I wrote 500 words daily, the newsletter I started, notes on my phone, journals by my bedside and the dedicated Google folder.
Yet, despite these efforts, I’ve made little progress. Recently, a friend reminded me how long I’ve been talking about this dream, and let’s just say it’s been a minute.
I don’t want to talk about writing a book. I want to write a book. More importantly, I want to finish one. But whenever I set a writing target, I run out of gas and eventually stall out. The goals I set have been too big, and my dream was feeling more like a fantasy. So, I recently decided to start fresh, but this time, I went small — very small.
Every morning, my goal is to open the computer folder where I keep my book ideas. That’s it.
My goal isn’t to have an entire session or even write a sentence (yet) — I’m just working on showing up. This tiny motion almost seems insignificant, and my inner critic keeps asking how it will lead to a completed book. But this routine has given me a sense of pride and progress.
Breaking down my vision of writing a book into a simple mini-goal has turned years of talk into meaningful action. On mornings when inspiration strikes, I might go beyond my goal, tweaking notes or writing a sentence or two. But I don’t pressure myself to do that every time. For now, I’m focused on consistently showing up, and when the time is right, I'll set a bigger goal. When I close that file each day, I feel hopeful that I will eventually realize my dream.
Mini goals move us from dreaming to fulfilling
Breaking down big-picture goals into bite-sized mini-goals is a powerful strategy. According to Psychology Today, mini-goals, or micro-goals, help us focus on an achievable step within a short time frame and keep us engaged while making progress.
It also gives us hope that the ultimate goal is possible. After all, what often keeps us in procrastination mode is that we don’t believe the dream is attainable. But setting achievable mini-goals can bring overwhelming and ambitious goals within reach. Mini-goals move us from talking to doing and from wishing to achieving.
For example, if you dream of becoming a seasoned yogi to increase your flexibility and strength, start small. Focus on perfecting your Downward Dog before tackling a Headstand. If you’re feeling discouraged because it’s been years since you’ve stepped on the mat, maybe your mini-goal is to watch a yoga video weekly, join a beginner’s group online or simply lay out your mat daily. Once you’ve mastered one step, move to the next. With time, you might find yourself doing those gravity-defying poses in your sleep.
Mini goals can also be the “right now version” of a dream
As a teenager, I spent a year in Barcelona, Spain and fell in love with the city and country. I dream of revisiting with my family, exploring the city and reconnecting with the family I lived with while there.
Budget-wise, the trip is not in the cards right now, but last year, I achieved the “today version” of that goal by traveling to Puerto Rico. While we were still on U.S. soil, the cobblestone streets, European architecture, history and immersion in the Spanish language made me feel like I was in Spain. And it gave my children a taste of the wonder and adventure I experienced living overseas. That trip was a nod to my ultimate goal, and it checked that box for now.
Now that I’ve realized the “today version” of my Spain dream, moving towards the finish line means identifying my next mini goal. Maybe it’s establishing a dedicated savings account, contacting the program I participated in to find my host family or joining my local Spanish Conversation Meetup Group. Even though I can’t hop on a plane tomorrow, I can actively work on my dream.
Examples of mini-goals
You can apply mini goals to any area of your life, work or play, Sis.
Want to contribute 15% of your income to your retirement accounts, but it seems impossible right now? Increase your current contributions by 1%. In three months, revisit them to see if you can add another 1%. Dream of overhauling your wardrobe? Start with one outfit — or one piece. Want to declutter your home? Start with one room — or one drawer.
The idea is to trade all-or-nothing thinking for actionable and achievable steps. By starting small, achieving wins and building on the mini-goals, you’ll make progress and feel hopeful rather than discouraged because the big-picture goal seems unattainable.
Mini-goals helped me become debt-free — before I even heard of the term. I was facing an overwhelming $74,000 of debt, and while my end goal was to pay it all down, I began by targeting just one bill at a time. Then I moved on from one bill to one type of debt, for example, car debt, credit cards, student loans, etc. Setting mini goals — and celebrating when I hit them — helped me achieve my ultimate target of paying off all my debt.
Identifying your mini-goals
If you set goals or New Year’s resolutions this year, consider relooking at them and breaking them down into mini-goals — especially if you haven’t started working on them, feel discouraged or have abandoned them.
Here’s how.
- Identify and visualize. Name your big-picture goal. Is it a luxurious vacation, a savings milestone or a new health routine? After naming your dream, visualize what achieving it would feel like. Imagine the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of being on your dream vacation or the pride of hitting your savings target. Engage your senses and emotions to make the goal feel real and within reach.
- Break it down. Establish small, manageable steps toward your dream or today’s version of your goals. You can also use the power of visualization to picture yourself taking the step.
- Set a timeline. Decide when you’ll take action, like researching your vacay destination, scheduling a 10-minute yoga session or how often you’ll schedule deposits to your IRA. Bonus points for scheduling it in your calendar or automating the action.
- Find community. It’s no secret that goals are easier to achieve with support. So join a travel group as you plan your dream trip, partner with a yoga buddy or get a mentor as you get that business off the ground. With an online group or Reddit thread for just about anything, it’s easy to find community, accountability and support as you fulfill your dream.
- Track your progress and celebrate your wins. Monitor your progress to help you maintain momentum. Also, recognize and reward yourself as you hit your mini-goals and continue to work towards your ultimate targets.
Let this approach to goal setting empower you, Sis. You don’t have to wait until the stars align to work on your dream, and you don’t have to cross the finish line to feel accomplished. Mini-goals can bring those pie-in-the-sky dreams down to earth, help you see progress as you go after them and fuel you with joy, hope and confidence as you take one (mini) step at a time.
This is key. Many people don’t feel a lot of hope right now. Mini-goals can keep us focused on better days and help us get through difficult times. They can help us feel more in control.
Is there a big goal that you are breaking down into bite-sized pieces? Do you have a goal that would benefit from this approach? Have mini-goals led to success in the past? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
