Surefooted Goal Setting: Aligning Your Actions with the Life You Want
There’s a line in Dr. Stephen Covey’s classic book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that I think about from time to time. It’s the idea that you can climb all the way up your ladder only to discover, once you reach the top, that it was leaning against the wrong wall the whole time.
In other words: how can you be sure the goals you set are actually the right ones?
It’s something I think about every three months when I sit down to set my new Surefooted goals. And on top of using the SURE goal-setting method, which helps confirm whether the goal itself is workable, I also spend time thinking intentionally about the type of goal I’m choosing.
There’s a traditional Buddhist saying that goes, “What you think you become, what you feel you attract, and what you imagine, you create.” I try to look at goals through that lens as often as I can. Goals that shape mindset - improving sleep, building a meditation habit, journaling regularly, spending time in nature - tend to work from the inside out. And the words and stories we tell ourselves influence how we move through the hour-to-hour of our lives.
There’s also the idea that “our thoughts become our actions, our actions become our habits, and our habits determine our future.” When it comes to goal setting, that’s incredibly true. Habit-focused goals (starting one that serves you, or stopping one that doesn’t) usually create more sustainable change. I love the quote, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”So instead of saying, “I want to save $1,000 in the next three months,” it can be more effective to choose a habit that naturally results in saving $1,000. It’s a subtle shift, but a powerful one.
Personally, I try to set one goal related to my health, because that’s the foundation for everything else. I set one goal related to financial well-being. And then my last goal usually falls into one of a few buckets: professional, relationship-based, travel, or learning something new.
Which brings me back to the original question: “How do I know it’s the right goal?”
In the Surefooted Journal, there’s a section that asks you to reflect on where you want to be three years from today. The exercise invites you to close your eyes and imagine your ideal life - where you’re living, who you’re with, how you spend your time, your health, your finances, your work. The clarity that comes from that visualization can make your short-term goals more obvious. You can simply ask, “Does this goal move me a few steps closer to that version of me?”
And of course, not every goal needs to be about building something new. Some goals are simply about maintaining the things that already bring you joy. Identifying the people, practices, and moments that truly nourish you, and intentionally scheduling them in, is a beautiful form of goal setting.
And finally, it’s okay to fail.
If you set a goal and, after a few months, it’s just not coming together, don’t beat yourself up. Failure is only data. Reflect on why that particular goal wasn’t the right one and let that guide your next round of goals. Believe me, I’ve set plenty of goals I didn’t accomplish in the time given - or at all. And that’s fine. If you accomplish every goal you set right away, maybe it’s a sign to aim your arrow a little higher.
Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
Don’t set goals that involve trying to change someone else. Change only works when the other person wants it. Focus on what’s in your control.
Health-related goals are almost always a good bet. Tiny changes that grow into habits can shift your entire life.
Never underestimate the impact of time spent walking in nature. It’s a simple habit, and a worthy goal, that pays you back in countless ways.
Even better: walk with a friend. Nature + Movement + Connection (a goal-oriented conversation) is a winning combination.
Sleep-focused goals are life-changing. Good sleep supports almost every other area of well-being.
Creativity is underrated. Painting, drawing, playing music, or writing - anything that adds a spark of play or imagination to your week - is worth putting on the schedule.
Set goals with a partner or friend. A shared walk or workout can be a powerful early motivator and help build long-term habits.
Tell someone you trust about your goals. Putting it “out there” makes it feel real and adds a healthy layer of accountability.
Know your “why.” Make sure the goal is truly yours- not something you’re doing to meet someone else’s expectations.
Keep it fun. Life is short, and goal setting is more about the journey than the finish line. Choose goals that spark excitement instead of dread. Start small, keep it realistic, and build it into your routine so it becomes a habit rather than a task on a to-do list.
If any of this resonates with you, pick up a Surefooted Journal, work through the first section, and set three goals for the next 90 days. The journal gives you an opportunity to connect meaningfully with the goals you’ve chosen, which makes it far more likely you’ll accomplish them. Building the life you want doesn’t happen overnight, but with regular self-reflection, insight, and a short daily focus, it absolutely can happen.
Happy goal setting, and stay Surefooted.