Why Goal Setting Matters—Even If You Don’t Love Goals

Photo by Mikhail Nilov

Let’s be honest: The word goal doesn’t always spark excitement.

For some people, it brings clarity and motivation. For others, it triggers flashbacks to abandoned to-do lists, rigid routines, or the pressure to “get it right.”

But here’s the thing: goal setting can make a difference. Not because you need to control every outcome, but because having direction helps you move with intention rather than defaulting to autopilot. Goals give your time and energy a purpose. And they don’t have to be as intimidating as they sound.

Caveat: There may be times in life when you want to meander a bit and see where life takes you. That’s okay, too! I’ve learned so much about myself and the world during those phases of life. If that’s where you’re at, and you’re happy with that situation, that’s amazing. But if you’re feeling frustrated, like you’re spinning your wheels and not heading where you want to go, the next bit might help.

So, why bother setting goals?

Because without them, it’s easy to drift. You start the week hoping to eat better, write more, or finally create some space to breathe—but life sweeps in, and suddenly it’s Sunday night again and you’re wondering where the time went.

Goals, when done well, give your desires a shape. They create a sense of focus. They help you notice progress, even when it’s incremental. And—maybe most importantly—they help you make choices about how to spend your time, rather than letting the demands of the day make those choices for you.

SMART goals… and other ways to look at it

You may have heard of SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. And yes, they can be helpful, especially when you’re working toward something concrete. But not everyone thrives with that level of structure.

If that’s you, here’s some good news: goal setting doesn’t have to be rigid.

You can approach your goals as experiments rather than ultimatums.

• “What happens if I write for 15 minutes before work every day this week?”

• “How do I feel if I add more leafy greens to my meals for a few days?”

• “What shifts if I go to bed 30 minutes earlier?”

This way, you get to learn about yourself and refine as you go—without all the pressure of needing to get it perfect right away.

Goals and sustainability go hand-in-hand

Often when people abandon a goal, it’s not because they didn’t care but rather because they tried to change everything at once or didn’t have the right kind of support.

That’s where I come in.

As a holistic wellness and creative flow coach, I help people clarify what they want—not just on paper, but in a way that aligns with their values, energy, and lifestyle.

Whether your goals are centered on your well-being, your creativity, or both, we can work together to set intentions that feel doable, not draining.

I’m here to help you move forward without burning out, to stay connected to your why, and to create rhythms and systems that support your well-being and creative flow.

If you're ready to set goals in a way that works for you, not against you, let’s chat.

Schedule a free coaching call here and let’s map out your next step together.