Avoid these two typical mistakes of goalsetting in 2025

Ever feel like your goals lack that spark? Like they’re just another box to tick off? Here’s why transformational goals often fail—and how to fix it.

Like me, some of you might have already set your goals for the year. I've spent the back end of 2024 writing my gratitude list, my wins and challenges and learning. Then I systematically laid them out, written them down, feeling a mix of ... meh? I looked at my goals and they looked like a variation of last year's key challenges, and I realised I've fallen into the typical goalsetting pitfall.

There's two of them that can stop us from creating goals that inspire real change and let me share these with you as it's never too late to fine tune.

1. Thinking Too Small This one’s tricky because it’s so engrained in how we’ve been taught to set goals in corporate environments. Think about it: we set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—and then get rewarded for hitting them. SMART goals are great for keeping everyone pulling together, but let’s be honest—they’re rarely transformational. We set them to be achievable.

When it comes to personal goals, though, you have the freedom to dream bigger. Don’t just stay in the box you’ve always operated in. Instead, ask yourself:

• What would I do if time and money weren’t a factor?
• If I had all the support I needed?
• If failure wasn’t an option?
• If I only had a year left to live?

Stretching your imagination and allowing yourself to think outside the box creates space for possibilities you may not have considered. And if you’re in a leadership role, why not spark a team conversation about setting aspirational goals that inspire, rather than just motivate?

You'll be surprised how much more energy you will get from setting your goals this way.

2. Staying Too Big On the flip side, once we set goals, we don't go granular enough and don’t change the habits that will help us deliver on those dreams. And that’s where the disconnect happens.

Here's an example. Last year, I set an ambitious goal to save a certain amount of money. I was determined, but looking back, I didn’t have the habits or systems in place to support that goal, and had even competing priorities. While I managed to cut back on my café visits, I ended up spending quite a bit on learning how to start a business solo and mastering tools like LinkedIn. Then there was our nearly 20-year-old boiler, which demanded attention (and funds). To top it off, the lack of sun in the UK pushed us to abandon plans for a staycation and head abroad to soak up some much-needed vitamin D. It was the right decision for our family, but let’s just say it wasn’t exactly kind to the savings account.

In short I had no habits, so systems in check to make this savings goal a reality.

The same applies to any big goal. To make it happen, ask yourself:

• What habits are currently holding me back?
• What habits does the person who has achieved this goal cultivate?
• What can get in the way? And how can I mitigate it?
• What routines or behaviours do I need to adopt?
• What other priorities do I have that are competing with what I'm trying to do.
• How can I make small, consistent changes to build momentum?

Transformation isn’t just about the goal itself—it’s about the systems and behaviours you put in place to support it.

It Starts with Daring to Dream: The key to transformational goals lies in asking better questions of yourself—questions that stretch your thinking and align your actions. Dare to dream first, but then ground those dreams in the habits that will make them a reality.

So, what’s one transformational goal you’ve set—or are ready to set—for 2025? Share it in the comments, and let’s discuss how to turn it into reality!

One of my goals for 2025 is to finally publish a book that’s been brewing in me for years. It’s about transformation—how people create something new, often against all odds. To make it come alive, I’m looking to interview individuals who’ve successfully led transformation or built something extraordinary.

Do you have a colleague who inspired you by making something happen—maybe even doing it backwards and in high heels? I’d love to hear about them. Please reach out with recommendations or tag them here. Let’s share their stories together!