Why Big Goals Inspire… and Intimidate
Big goals are exciting. They give us a vision of what’s possible and pull us toward a bigger version of ourselves. Whether it’s writing a book, starting a business, or running a marathon, big goals inspire us to dream beyond the everyday.
But big goals can also feel paralyzing. When you stare at the mountain from the bottom, it’s easy to freeze, procrastinate, or give up before you’ve even taken the first step. That’s why so many of us set grand resolutions in January and abandon them by February.
The good news? The solution isn’t more willpower — it’s better structure. By breaking big goals into small, manageable steps, you can make consistent progress without burning out.
I know this on a personal level. I became a life coach so I could support women who love someone with an addiction — to give others the help I so desperately needed at a time in my life when I couldn’t find it myself.
Over the past five years, I’ve been steadily training and refining my skills, gaining certification and knowledge in Professional Coaching, NLP, Neural Hypnosis, Trauma Coaching, and even Spiritual Coaching. Every step has felt like climbing another rung of the ladder, preparing me for the next stage.
Now, I finally feel equipped to create the online group coaching program I’ve been working toward for so long. But if I’m honest, it feels like I’ve climbed all the way up to the top of the diving platform — and now I’m peering over the edge. The fear is real.
Why Big Goals Often Fail
If big goals are so inspiring, why do they so often flop? Three main reasons:
- Overwhelm → Procrastination
When a goal feels too big, your brain doesn’t know where to start. Overwhelm triggers procrastination. - No Milestones → No Progress Markers
If you can’t measure progress along the way, it feels like you’re failing — even if you’re not. Without milestones, the journey feels endless. - Unrealistic Timelines → Discouragement
We underestimate how long change takes. Setting a timeline that’s too short sets us up for frustration when reality doesn’t match.
Read more about setting goals successfully with these other posts:
- SMART vs HEART Goals: Which Framework Works Best for You?
- Goal Setting with Purpose: The Ultimate Guide to Goals That Stick
- How to Find Your Core Values (and Why They Matter for Goal Setting)
The Science of Small Steps
There’s a reason breaking goals into smaller chunks works so well — it’s not just common sense, it’s science.
- Small Wins Boost Motivation
Every time you achieve a small milestone, your brain releases dopamine — the feel-good chemical. This creates a positive feedback loop that makes you want to keep going. - Habits Build Identity
As James Clear explains in Atomic Habits, every small action is a “vote” for the type of person you want to become. Over time, these small actions build your identity — “I am a runner,” “I am a writer,” “I am someone who shows up.” - Kaizen Philosophy
The Japanese concept of kaizen means “continuous improvement.” Instead of giant leaps, kaizen is about steady, incremental progress — which adds up to massive results over time.
How to Break a Big Goal Into Small Steps
Here’s a simple four-step process you can use for any goal:
Step 1: Define the Big Goal
Be clear about what you want. Write it down in one sentence.
- Example: “Write a 50,000-word book.”
Step 2: Identify Milestones
Break the big goal into monthly or weekly checkpoints.
- Example: “Write 10,000 words per month” or “2,500 words per week.”
Step 3: Translate Into Habits
Decide on the smallest repeatable action you can take.
- Example: “Write 500 words per day, four days a week.”
Step 4: Track and Adjust
Use a journal, app, or accountability partner to monitor progress and tweak as needed.
For my mission to visit every lighthouse on the mainland of Australia, I had to break it down into one lighthouse at a time. If I’d focused on the whole list, I would’ve been overwhelmed, overthought it, and probably talked myself out of it altogether.
Real-Life Examples of Small Steps in Action
Fitness Goal → From Couch to Consistent
Big Goal: Run a half marathon.
- Milestones: Week 1–2: Walk/run 2km. Week 4: Run 5km. Week 8: Run 10km.
- Daily Habit: Run/walk 20 minutes, 3 times per week.
Career Goal → Build a New Skill
Big Goal: Complete a professional certification.
- Milestones: Finish each module weekly.
- Daily Habit: Study 30 minutes per day.
Financial Goal → Save for Freedom
Big Goal: Save $5,000 in a year.
- Milestones: Save $1,250 per quarter.
- Daily Habit: Transfer $100 each week into a savings account.
For my mission to visit every lighthouse on the mainland of Australia, I had to break it down into one lighthouse at a time. Instead I plan each trip as a smaller journey. One stretch of coast. One road trip. One lighthouse at a time. Each visit is a milestone in itself — a little celebration of progress — and it keeps the bigger dream alive without feeling impossible.
It’s the perfect metaphor for goal setting: when you stop staring at the entire mountain and instead focus on the next step in front of you, the impossible suddenly feels doable.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even when you know the system, there are traps:
- Doing Too Much at Once
Breaking a goal into steps is good — but if each step is still too big, you’ll get stuck. - Perfectionism (“All or Nothing”)
Missing one day doesn’t mean the whole goal is ruined. Progress is messy, not perfect. - Not Celebrating Milestones
If you only celebrate the finish line, you’ll lose steam. Every milestone deserves recognition.
I used to beat myself up whenever I wasn’t consistent with journaling. I’d set the goal of writing every single day, and the moment I missed one, I’d tell myself I’d failed. That pressure took the joy out of it.
Lately I’ve reframed it. Instead of demanding daily journaling, I let it be something I do when I feel drawn to it. The practice has become more enjoyable, and because I’m not carrying the weight of perfectionism, I actually pick up my journal more often. Progress, not perfection, is what keeps me consistent now.
How to Stay on Track
Breaking goals into steps is just the start. Here’s how to maintain momentum:
- Accountability
Tell someone your goal. Better yet, find a partner or group to check in with regularly. - Visual Tracking
Use a habit tracker, calendar, or app to physically see your progress. The visual cue builds motivation. - Reflection Checkpoints
At the end of each week or month, reflect on what’s working and what needs adjusting. Reflection prevents small stumbles from becoming total derailments.
Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection
Big goals are built out of small, consistent steps. When you break a mountain into milestones, habits, and daily actions, the impossible suddenly becomes achievable.
Progress isn’t about giant leaps — it’s about showing up, again and again, even when it’s not perfect.
So don’t be discouraged by the size of your dreams. Just focus on the next small step, and then the next. Over time, those small steps will carry you further than you ever imagined.
📖 Want more? Read these other posts:
Goal Setting with Purpose
SMART vs HEART Goals: Which Framework Works Best for You?
How to Find Your Core Values (and Why They Matter for Goal Setting)
📥 Download the free Purposeful Goal Setting Worksheet to break your big goals into steps you’ll actually achieve.
- Breaking Big Goals Into Small Steps: The Key to Actually Achieving Them - November 4, 2025
- Accountability and Reflection: The Secret Sauce of Goal Achievement - October 28, 2025
- How to Find Your Core Values (and Why They Matter for Goal Setting) - October 14, 2025
