How to get unstuck: the ultimate guide to setting powerful goals

I’m not sure what sort of challenges, delays, or setbacks you’ve encountered this past year, but if you’re like most people you might feel a bit stuck.

I think we can all agree it’s been a year like no other. 

While we might wish for a time travel machine that could transport us into the future – far, far away from the tension and uncertainty of this past year –  the truth is there are never guarantees in life, and there are always risks to weigh.

While I’m hopeful that this next year will bring less drama and more peace for all of us, the hard truth is we can’t control other people or even our own circumstances.

We only have control over our own outlook, attitude, and the decisions we make. 

That truth should empower us to choose well, because these three things are exactly what will help us make great progress in life. 

The other option? 

We can stay stuck.

So, let’s have a little fun and go with the whole time travel machine idea. 

Say you’ve been transported one year into the future, and you and I are talking over our favorite speciality drinks about how fast this last year flew by (it always does, doesn’t it? :-).

You mention some of the things you enjoyed, but get quiet for a moment as you think about the things you didn’t do. The dreams that never gained traction. The hopes that never came to pass. You say quietly, voice heavy with regret, “I really wish I could have done…”

You fill in the blank, friend.

✔️ Maybe you wanted to be more on top of your to-do list, and not feel behind and overwhelmed all the time.

✔️ Maybe you wished you had listened to your gut and made more time for your health or your family.

✔️ Maybe there was that one, BIG, scary dream you truly, deeply wanted to reach for, but life (or your own fears) just got in the way. 

Again.

We go on to talk a little bit about the possible reasons behind this, and then agree that maybe this next year will be the year you make real progress toward those important goals and life dreams.

But will it? What would need to change?

Ok, we’re back now… 😉

Sounds silly, I know, but the point I’m trying to make is that this life is short. 

It may sound cliche but time really does pass far too quickly, and sometimes it can feel like we’re stuck in a time loop, as we look back year after year and realize that we didn’t get around to prioritizing the most important things. When we discover that we failed to meet our goals and live out our dreams. Yet again.

No matter how good your intentions, my friend, they won’t get you where you want to be a year from now, or even a month from now. 

Good intentions must be matched with daily action, and those actions must be grounded in a clear vision.

BONUS: Download your FREE Supercharged Goal Setting Guide ⚡️

You have to “see” where you want to be a year from now. You have to know how you want to feel, in your mind, body, and spirit. You have to create a vision for your future that is so clear, you will know the next right step to take to move forward with confidence.

This type of progress requires reflection and planning. And it must be both.

Together, not either-or.

If it’s only reflection, then you might learn a lot about where you’ve been, but with no strategy to move forward, you’ll stay stuck.

And if you only plan full steam ahead without any sincere reflection, then you are at risk of making the same mistakes over and over again. Which means…you’ll still stay stuck… 🙂

If this sounds daunting to you, the good news is that this whole process doesn’t have to be complex, nor do you need to take huge steps to make solid progress.

Honestly, genuine progress is about taking small steps consistently, rather than making a few big, bold changes inconsistently. 

Now, if you’re counting on your fingers alllll the reasons why you couldn’t make progress this past year, believe me, I get it. It’s easy to stay stuck, especially during uncertain, challenging times like what we’ve been through.

But regardless of how you feel about change, or risk, or this past year in general, today is a new day, and that gives you a new opportunity to reflect, dream, and plan to make meaningful progress in the year ahead. 

So that when you get to the end of another year, you’ll really like where you are, and who you are. 

✅ I invite you to take that first step today by downloading your free Goal Setting Guide. This simple, step-by-step workbook will help you create an authentic vision and discover the important steps to get you where you want to be a month from now, then six months from now, and finally one year from now. 

Believe me, your future self will thank you! 😀

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE GUIDE HERE! ✨ 

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Hello! I’m Karen Ferguson, author, content creator, and the owner of Illuminate Communications, LLC. 

I’m all about illuminating God’s Truth and His love through the power of words.

It’s my mission to inspire, encourage, and equip you on your faith-journey by providing books, tools, and resources that will help you grow in your relationship with Jesus, and thrive in mind, body, and spirit.

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