Business – Goal setting that works

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Now that your New Year’s resolutions are losing their shine, whether you’re setting personal goals or planning your business strategy for 2026, it’s important to remember that goal setting isn’t about lofty documents or pie-in-the-sky aspirations. It’s about planning, prioritising, and creating actionable pathways that will stretch and elevate you over the year ahead.

Start with clarity. Ask yourself: what do I want to do more of, because it energises and inspires me? What do I want to do less of, because it distracts or drains me? And finally, what is new that could elevate me – personally or professionally – if I commit to it this year?

Once you’ve made these statements, it’s time to map your actions step by step:

Prioritise: Decide which goals will have the biggest impact and focus your energy there.

Plan: Break each goal into manageable actions with realistic timelines. A plan is only useful if it’s actionable.

Perform: Take consistent steps, however small. Progress compounds when you act steadily.

Pivot: Revisit your plan monthly. Adjust, refine, and remove what isn’t working. Flexibility keeps you moving forward.

Praise: Celebrate small wins along the way – recognition fuels motivation and keeps momentum alive.

Once these foundations are in place, accountability becomes the bridge between intention and impact. Goals gain traction when they are visible, written down, and revisited regularly. Share them with someone you trust, or schedule simple check-ins so progress doesn’t rely on motivation alone. Momentum is built through systems, not willpower.

Equally important is remembering that consistency will always outperform intensity. You don’t need perfect weeks or heroic bursts of effort, you need repeatable habits that fit your real life and real workload. Miss a step? Reset quickly and keep moving. Progress is rarely linear, but it is always learnable and remember, the point isn’t just to tick boxes on a list. The point is to create forward movement – in your business, your career, and your life – while maintaining balance and focus.

As you move through 2026, let your goals inspire, not overwhelm. Step back regularly, reflect on what’s working, and adjust where needed. When you commit to small, purposeful actions, the results will compound into big wins.

So, take a breath, grab a pen, and map your steps. This year isn’t just about wishing for success – it’s about planning it, pursuing it, and achieving it.

Have a goal-setting story, tip, or challenge you’d like to share? Email kayleen@ripple.net.nz – your story could feature in a future column.