Reflect on 2025 and welcome 2026 with achievable goals, realistic goal setting, and vision boards that support growth without burnout.
Another year has come and gone and here we are welcoming 2026.
For some of us, we use this time to reflect on what we have survived or succeeded in and for others, it’s a time to refocus on what we want to achieve for the year.
We look back on what troubles we’ve had with friends, families or even coworkers – wondering if we will let patterns repeat itself.
For me, 2026 is the year of growth, a time to refocus and make some changes. 2025 was all about surviving – making sure the bills were paid and focusing on my health.
This year, I created a vision board and and I’m not going to lie, I got stuck on what I really want and what that would look like. I know I don’t want things to continue as the way they are but how to change it, that’s what’s difficult.
It’s also not a time to be hyper critical on yourself either. There are situations that happen when it just sucks and completely out of your control. Yes, we can learn and grow from these situations but its also important that you practice self-love too.
Let’s break it down – how do we create goals that are achievable?
Creating goals can feel exciting at first, but for many people, that excitement quickly turns into pressure, disappointment, or self-doubt. Often, it’s not because we lack motivation or discipline – it’s because the goals we set aren’t achievable for the season of life we’re in.
Learning how to create achievable goals can completely change your approach to personal growth and help you stay consistent without burnout.
Start with Honest and Realistic Goal Setting
The foundation of achievable goal setting is honesty. Before writing down any goals, take a moment to assess your current reality. Ask yourself: How much time, energy, and emotional capacity do I realistically have right now? Goals should stretch you slightly, but they should never ignore your responsibilities or wellbeing. When goals don’t align with your real life, they often turn into guilt instead of motivation.
Being realistic doesn’t mean thinking small – it means creating goals that support you rather than overwhelm you.
Focus on Actions, Not Just Outcomes
One of the most common mistakes in goal setting is focusing only on big outcomes. Goals like “be more confident,” “change my life,” or “start a business” are powerful, but they’re also vague. Achievable goals focus on specific actions.
For example, instead of “be more confident,” try:
- Speak kindly to myself once a day
- Wear something that makes me feel good once a week
Small, consistent actions build momentum — and momentum builds confidence.
Key Principles for Creating Achievable Goals
At the heart of realistic and sustainable goal setting are a few simple principles:
- Be realistic about your current season — match goals to your time and energy.
- Break big goals into small steps — progress feels easier when goals are manageable.
- Focus on actions you can control — habits matter more than outcomes.
- Allow flexibility — adjusting a goal doesn’t mean failure.
- Measure progress gently — consistency beats perfection every time.
How to Apply Achievable Goals to a Vision Board
Vision boards are most effective when they focus on direction, not pressure. Instead of only including end results like dream homes or perfect routines, include feelings, habits, and values. Ask yourself: How do I want to feel while working toward my goals? Calm, confident, grounded, or free?
When your vision board reflects both the journey and the destination, it becomes a tool for motivation rather than comparison.
Turning Goal Lists into Achievable Plans
The same approach applies when writing a list of goals. Instead of a long list of things you “should” do, focus on a few meaningful goals and pair each one with a gentle next step. For example, under “improve my wellbeing,” your first step might be “go for a 10-minute walk twice a week.”
Achievable goals build trust with yourself. Each small follow-through reinforces the belief that you are capable.
Final Thoughts on Achievable Goal Setting
Creating achievable goals is an act of self-respect. It’s choosing alignment over pressure and progress over perfection. Whether you’re using a vision board, a notebook, or a simple list of goals, your goals should support your life – not stress you.
You don’t need to rush your growth. Small, steady steps still move you forward
So, let’s cheers to the end of 2025, a year of survival and letting go and bring on 2026!
Keep shining,
Madeline
Relatable Posts
youdeservetoshine.blog 