For those who just celebrated Passover, I hope it was a happy one. And for those about to celebrate Easter, the same for you. May it be filled with the things that matter — among them… food, family (biological, chosen, or both!), tradition, and joy.
Without getting into the religious aspects of these holidays, if we simplify them down to their most basic elements, Passover is about the Jewish people being freed from bondage — essentially getting “unstuck.” And Easter is about Jesus’ resurrection, which is essentially a kind of renewal.
It turns out that in just a couple weeks I’ll be submitting my renewal application. And for those of you getting close as well, don’t sleep on it. As Conrad has emailed at least a few times, the BNI dues rate jumps up on May 1st. So lock your next one or two years in by April 30th, and keep a few extra shekels in your pocket!
As most of you know, right within the renewal application there is an opportunity to list our goals. And listing out goals is a great way to create traction and forward motion. It’s also a great way to create a structure that we can leverage during those times when we need to get unstuck.
When it comes to achieving success — whether in business, personal development, or life in general — goal setting is your foundation. But not all goals are created equal, and how you set them will make all the difference.
So let’s talk about goals, goal setting, and some fundamental ways to get — and keep — the train moving up the mountain.
First, clarity.Clarity is power. Just like our commercials, a goal that’s vague is a goal that’s easy to ignore. Saying “I want to get in shape” is not a clear goal — it’s a wish. But “I want to lose 10 pounds in the next 90 days by working out three times a week and cutting sugar by half,” gives you direction, a timeline, and measurable criteria. Clear goals engage your brain like a GPS — when you know exactly where you’re going, it’s easier to map the route and recognize when you get off track.
Second, alignment.Your goals need to align with your values and long-term vision. Too often, people set goals that sound good on paper but don’t resonate with who they are or what they truly want. That leads to procrastination, burnout, and dissatisfaction — even if they achieve the goal. So ask yourself: Why does this goal matter to me? When your goals are aligned with your purpose, motivation becomes natural. You don’t just push toward the goal — you’re pulled by it.
And third, accountability.Accountability turns intention into action and ensures consistency over time. You’re far more likely to follow through when there’s someone — or something— keeping you honest. That might be a coach, a mentor, a friend, or even a tracking app on your phone. The key is to create a system where your progress is visible, and where you’re regularly checking in. And whatever you choose — or create — as your, “instrument,” it just has to be outside yourself. Will power is fantastic, right up to the moment that we lose it. Then it’s worthless. By leveraging an external mechanism, we no longer have to rely simply on our own will power.
So remember: Be clear, aligned, and accountable. With those three principles, you won’t just set goals — you’ll achieve them.
I hope you’re inspired to declare, articulate, and commit to at least one exciting goal today.
