When I first started thinking about my goals for 2025, I felt completely overwhelmed. For most of 2024, I was operating on autopilot; just going through the motions, stuck in survival mode. The goals I genuinely wanted to achieve felt out of reach, and I couldn’t find the motivation to take any action. Most of the year was spent focusing on the negatives, making excuses, and honestly, debating whether or not to give up on my goals and dreams altogether. I found myself questioning nearly every aspect of my life, feeling drained and frustrated.
It wasn’t until November that I finally began to feel like myself again. My energy, passion, and ambition slowly returned, and with them, I could finally reflect on my goals, my wins, and my progress from 2024. I was able to set my goals for 2025 and create a plan of action. Even better, I’ve already started taking action steps! But here’s the truth: I credit my “rejuvenation” to God.
Looking back, I see that 2024 was a season of rest, redirection, and realignment. I was constantly questioning myself: What now? Where to next? I had hit roadblock after roadblock, and though I’d been consistent with my efforts for years, the results weren’t what I had hoped for. I found myself caught in the comparison trap, constantly measuring my progress against others’ successes, and feeling like my vision didn’t line up with my reality.
During this time of frustration and contemplation, I was also praying and seeking guidance from God. I had reached a point where I knew I couldn’t keep doing things my way. I wanted my plans and goals to align with God’s will for my life. I surrendered my own desires, asking God to show me the next step. And when I let go of my need to control, I got the answers I needed.
Though I don’t have everything figured out yet, the clarity that’s come through prayer has been invaluable. The ideas are flowing again, and I’m genuinely excited about the goals I’ve set for 2025, even though some of them still scare me. What I’ve learned through this season of rest is that I’ve been prepared for what’s next. And now that I’m moving forward with purpose, I’m eager to continue building momentum.
When we experience overwhelm in the process of setting goals, it’s easy to think we should just abandon the idea altogether. But, I believe it’s actually a signal to step back and dig deeper—to figure out what’s causing the hesitation and what’s behind the feeling of overwhelm.
Sometimes overwhelm can stem from:
Fear of failure
Comparison
Perfectionism
Not knowing where to start
Trying to chase too many goals at once
Not setting SMART goals
These are what I call limitations or limiting beliefs; things that hold us back from making real progress. Once you identify what’s triggering your overwhelm, it becomes easier to address it.
So, how can you overcome this anxiety and break through the barrier to goal setting? It all starts with setting a SMART goal. Now, I’m sure you’ve heard of SMART goals before, but let me break it down for you:
Specific: Be clear about exactly what you want to achieve. The more specific, the better!
Measurable: Define how you’ll measure progress or success. This keeps you on track and motivated.
Achievable: Your goal should be realistic and attainable, given your current resources and circumstances.
Relevant: Ensure the goal aligns with your larger purpose or vision.
Trackable: Set a deadline to keep you focused and accountable.
But here’s the thing: A strategic SMART goal doesn’t just tell you what you want to achieve. It also provides a roadmap of how to get there. It’s not just about the end result; it’s about the journey and the steps you need to take.
Breaking It Down: Action Steps for Anxiety-Free Goal Setting
Once you’ve set your SMART goal, it’s time to break it down into smaller, manageable action steps. And here’s where the magic happens: each action step should address and counteract the limiting beliefs or limitations that could hold you back.
Let’s say your goal is to write and self-publish a book… A big and exciting goal that can easily feel overwhelming. You might feel stuck by:
Fear of failure (What if no one buys my book?)
Comparison (What if my writing isn’t good enough?)
Perfectionism (What if the book isn’t perfect?)
To counteract these feelings, you could break your goal into smaller steps, like:
1. Research book topics and decide on a genre (Specific, Measurable)
2. Set a deadline for writing your first chapter (Time-bound)
3. Create an outline of the book (Achievable)
4. Share drafts with a trusted friend for feedback (Relevant)
5. Create a marketing plan for your book launch (Trackable)
By breaking your goal into small, actionable steps, you’re not just tackling the goal, you’re also addressing your fear, perfectionism, and any other limiting beliefs you may have.
And here’s the secret: Sometimes it’s not the goal itself that feels daunting. It’s the action steps required to get there. But once you break it down, it doesn’t seem so impossible anymore.
Take Action, One Step at a Time
Remember, the key to goal setting with ease is to build it up and break it down. Don’t get overwhelmed by the big picture. Instead, focus on the steps that will get you there.
Keep a flexible mindset and adjust your plan as you go. It’s okay if things don’t always go perfectly. What matters is that you take consistent action. And if you get stuck, keep going back to your SMART goals, refining them as needed.
So, if you’re feeling anxious about setting your goals, it’s not the end of the road. It’s just a sign that you need to take a step back, reassess, and break it down into manageable pieces. Trust yourself, trust the process, and trust that every step forward is progress.
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Thanks for reading and HAPPY NEW YEAR Set Goals and Slay Family!!
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