Dream big, start small

Mindset, motivation & habits: Dream big, start small

Have you ever set yourself a huge goal then felt overwhelmed and given up days later?

We’ve all done it.

The secret isn’t to aim lower,it's breaking your big dreams into small manageable bits.

Here's how to set goals that work without wearing you out.

What's your big goal?

What do you really want? Lose weight, run a marathon, get fitter, feel healthier. Be clear about what actually matters to you.

Now scale it right back. Breaking your goal down reduces anxiety and makes starting easier. Small manageable steps build confidence and motivation as you see progress quickly.

Sounds weird, but trust us, big goals can feel impossible. So make it something easy you can actually do daily or weekly. Want to run a marathon? Start by walking or jogging around your block a few times each week. Want to eat better? Just add some veggies to your meals.

Make your goals clear and doable.

"Be healthier" sounds good but what exactly does that mean? Maybe it's drinking one extra glass of water every day or swapping your usual snack for some fruit a couple of times a week. Clear steps are much easier to stick to.

Notice the small wins.

Don’t wait to reach your big goal to feel good. Every small step counts. Even something as simple as drinking an extra glass of water each day or taking the stairs instead of the lift can make a big difference. Managed to go for regular walks this week? Great job. Added veggies three days running? Nice work. Noticing these little successes helps keep you going.

Be ready for things to go wrong.

Life is messy. Maybe you planned to exercise every day but then work got hectic or you felt under the weather. Plans won’t always work out perfectly. Missed a day or two? No worries. It doesn’t mean you’ve messed up,it's just life being life. Try again tomorrow, no guilt needed.

Make habits part of your daily routine.

Habits stick when they fit into your day naturally. Want to drink more water? Have a glass every time you sit down to eat. Want to stretch regularly? Do it right after brushing your teeth. Linking new habits to things you already do makes them easier to keep.

Regularly check in (nicely).

Take a quick look each week at how things are going. A weekly check in is ideal. It gives you enough time to see progress without losing track. Did something feel too hard or unrealistic? Change it. Goals aren’t set in stone, they should move and shift with you.

Take a quick look each week at how things are going. Did something feel too hard or unrealistic? Change it. Goals aren’t set in stone, they should move and shift with you.

Build your goals: Your personal map

Grab a pen or open your notes app. Try answering these questions honestly:

• What's your big dream or ultimate goal?
• Why does this goal really matter to you?
• What are three easy achievable actions you could do this week towards that goal?
• What existing daily routine could you connect these actions to?
• How will you reward yourself when you achieve these small steps?

Taking a couple of minutes to map this out, ideally setting aside a specific time each week to review and update your map, can make things clearer and boost your motivation.

Tips for setting realistic goals

• Choose clear small steps that make sense.
• Notice and celebrate your progress often.
• Adapt and tweak goals as you go.
• Be kind to yourself when things don’t go perfectly.

What small simple thing could you do today to move towards your big goal? Start there and keep at it. You've totally got this.