So, if you read my previous post earlier this week: Setting realistic resolutions: start with achievable goals …By now you’ve committed to your goal, visualised what success looks like, and clarified why it matters to you. You’ve broken it down into smaller, manageable steps, identified what progress looks like three months from now, and most importantly you’ve taken that all-important first step.
Now it’s time to check in.
Let’s Review:Did you actually take that first step?
- If the answer is Yes—fantastic! How did it feel? Did things go as planned? What worked well for you? Maybe it felt great, or maybe it showed you something you could adjust to make it even smoother. This is your chance to celebrate, refine, and repeat what worked.
- If the answer is No—that’s okay, too. Life happens. This may actually have been your first step, the perfect moment to pause and reflect on what got /gets in the way. No judgment here, we’re just going to get curious. DON’T give up… in a minute we’ll be looking at what came up that kept you from moving forward and what you could tweak to make it easier next time?
Ask Yourself:
- What went well?
- How did you feel after taking (or not taking) that first step?
- Does anything need adjusting to make this more realistic or doable?
- Is this step something you can turn into a habit? How can you make it sustainable?
If you’ve ever been involved in project management or business, you’ll recognise the Plan – Do – Review cycle. It’s not just for work; it’s a great approach for personal goals too. You’ve planned, you’ve acted, and now you’re reviewing. This cycle gives you a chance to fine-tune your process, making sure each step builds momentum toward the next one.
Keep It Going: And remember it may take time to see results…Whether your first step was a triumph or a learning moment, the key is to keep going. Adjust if you need to, refine what works, and remember—progress doesn’t have to be perfect. Small, consistent actions add up. We’re building something sustainable here, something that will last far beyond the initial motivation of January.
So, as you move forward this week, keep checking in with yourself. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not, and be willing to make changes where needed. This is all part of the process, and each check-in gets you closer to that bigger vision of success.
If You Didn’t Take the Step… Let’s Dig Around and Get Curious
If you didn’t to take that first step, don’t worry—it happens. But let’s be honest with ourselves. Is there a smaller step that you need to take first?
For example, maybe you said you’d go to the gym, and you even made it into a SMART goal (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely). But when it came down to it, it didn’t happen. So, let’s pin down why it didn’t happen.
1. Check Your ‘Why’
First, revisit why you made this promise to yourself in the first place. What’s driving this goal? If your motivation feels fuzzy or I’m already challenging you a little, it’s probably because deep down, you know this wasn’t a priority at least, not in the moment.
Maybe you thought, “It’s such a small step, I can do it later,” or even skipped it altogether, thinking it wouldn’t matter.
2. Is There a Different Path to Your Goal?
Check in with yourself: is there another route to your goal that excites you more? Sometimes we get stuck because we’re not truly energised by the path we’ve chosen. If this is the case, maybe it’s time to rethink how you’ll approach it.
3. Do You Need Help or Resources?
Or maybe, what you really need is help. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to make getting support your actual first step. Ask yourself honestly: “Do I need someone or something to get this rolling?”
If your reason for not doing it is something more general, like “I don’t have enough time,” let’s flip that: How much time do you need? What do you need to do/organise to block out that time in your calendar and make it non-negotiable?
Maybe you needed equipment: Becomes…“I’ll buy on [date] so I can start this step by [specific day].”
4. Do you need agreement or permission from someone?
Is this holdup external? are you waiting on someone else to clear the path. If that’s the case, take control where you can. If this isn’t something you’re ready to negotiate right now, then rethink what you can do right now that is fully within your control. Be honest with yourself: is there something you can do right now to grow your influence? – Example – if you are looking for a promotion, what can you do right now to become the person who get’s promoted?
5. Reframe ‘I Can’t’ into ‘I Can’t Yet’
Remember, “I can’t” can become “I can’t yet.” So, ask yourself: what can you do right now to get closer? And what’s the next step after that?
It’s all about keeping the momentum going, even if the steps are smaller than you first imagined. Every step forward is still progress.
To make sure you get notified for part 3 where we will discuss psychological blocks – follow and tick the bell for ‘all posts’ at Niki Kerr
Let’s keep moving forward adjust where needed, make it easier on yourself, and stay committed to the journey.
#Businessgrowth #personalgoals #leadership #healthandwellness
Niki Kerr is a Personal & Business Growth Expert, Licensed DISC Communication Trainer, Executive Contributor – Brainz Magazine, Empowering Leaders and Small Business Professionals to find Solutions | Strategies | Elevated Confidence
