Setting goals is something you likely have experience with, but achieving your goals? If you’re like me, that may be something that happens less often. You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about how to make real progress. Many people set goals with the best intentions, only to lose momentum or confidence along the way.
The good news? Success is much less about luck (though it’s still important)—it’s about skill. In fact, there are four key skills that will dramatically increase your ability to achieve your goals. These aren’t one-time tricks or quick hacks; they are practices you can develop over time to create lasting change.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through each of these essential skills:
- How mindset influences your ability to achieve goals
- The importance of focused goals and self-accountability
- Why self-compassion beats self-criticism every time
- How to keep moving, even when fear shows up
- The power of giving and receiving support
Mindset Matters
If you want to achieve your goals, your mindset matters. It’s foundational. Mindset is how you view yourself, your capabilities, and the challenges in front of you.
The most successful people don’t necessarily have more talent or resources—they’ve developed a mindset that supports resilience, consistency, and growth. They expect setbacks. They respect the process. And they don’t interpret challenges as signs of failure, but rather as opportunities to learn.
To build this kind of mindset, shift your focus from the outcome to the process. Instead of worrying about when you’ll cross the finish line, ask yourself:
- What step can I take today to move forward?
- What did I learn from this setback?
- How can I stay connected to my purpose?
Achieving goals requires a long-term view. With the right mindset, you’ll learn to navigate uncertainty, avoid perfectionism, and stay grounded.
Set Focused Goals and Hold Yourself Accountable
A vague goal is hard to achieve. “Be healthier” or “grow my business” might sound nice, but they don’t give your brain a clear map to follow. If you truly want to achieve your goals, you must get specific—and stay consistent.
Focused goals are:
- Clear – You know exactly what you’re trying to accomplish
- Measurable – You can track your progress
- Time-bound – You have a realistic deadline
- Meaningful – The goal aligns with your values and purpose
Once you’ve set your goals, the next step is to hold yourself accountable. That doesn’t mean punishing yourself for every misstep. It means developing the discipline to check in regularly, adjust your plan as needed, and recommit to your goals even when it’s hard.
Ask yourself:
- Am I reviewing my goals regularly?
- What is my next step this week?
- What barriers am I facing—and how can I work through them?
Accountability isn’t about shame—it’s about ownership. When you take full responsibility for your progress, you’ll be far more likely to achieve your goals.
Be Self-Compassionate, Not Self-Critical
Many high achievers believe that being hard on themselves will help them perform better. But the research tells a different story: self-criticism actually erodes motivation and confidence, making it harder to achieve your goals. (Harvard Business Review)
On the other hand, self-compassion supports resilience, emotional regulation, and sustainable progress. When you practice self-compassion, you acknowledge challenges without judgment. You recognize your shared humanity. And you treat yourself with kindness—even when things don’t go as planned.
Here’s what self-compassion looks like in real time:
- Noticing your self-talk and replacing harsh inner dialogue with encouragement
- Understanding your limits without making excuses
- Celebrating progress, no matter how small
- Letting go of perfection, knowing that growth takes time
You’ll never achieve your goals if your inner critic is constantly tearing you down. But when you learn to support yourself with the same care you’d offer a friend, your capacity to move forward expands.
Take Consistent Action Despite Fear
The biggest myth about success is that confident people are never afraid. The truth is, fear is a universal experience, especially when working toward meaningful goals. The difference is that successful people don’t let fear call the shots.
Fear often shows up as:
- Procrastination (“I’ll start later.”)
- Perfectionism (“It’s not ready yet.”)
- Imposter syndrome (“Who am I to do this?”)
- Avoidance (“Maybe this just isn’t for me.”)
If you want to achieve goals, you must be willing to act—even when fear is present. This doesn’t mean being reckless. It means taking the next small, doable step forward and building momentum over time.
Develop a bias for action by asking:
- What’s one small step I can take today?
- What am I avoiding—and why?
- What evidence do I have that I can figure this out?
Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s movement in the face of it. And when you take action consistently, you’ll start to trust your ability to navigate the unknown. That’s where real confidence is born.
Seek and Give Help
The myth of the lone genius is just that—a myth. No one achieves great things alone. If you want to achieve your goals, you need support. That might mean asking for help, joining a community, hiring a coach, or simply being honest about your struggles.
In long-distance hiking, there are people known as Trail Angels. They are people who leave food, water, or supplies along the route for struggling hikers. These small acts of kindness often make the difference between success and failure.
The same applies to your personal and professional life. Be willing to:
- Accept help when it’s offered
- Ask for support before burnout hits
- Offer encouragement and mentorship to others
When you seek and give help, you stay grounded in humility and connected to others. You create a network of care and accountability that helps you stay on track. Plus, you gain valuable perspective—something that’s hard to find when you’re grinding alone.
Conclusion
When it comes to success, talent and ambition only take you so far. If you truly want to achieve your goals, you need to develop these four essential skills:
- A resilient mindset that keeps you grounded
- Focused goals and personal accountability
- Self-compassion that supports growth
- The courage to act—even when fear shows up
- A willingness to seek and give support
These skills aren’t one-and-done. They’re habits you build, refine, and return to as you grow. With each step forward, you’re both getting closer to your goals and becoming the kind of person who achieves them. It’s in the doing that we become the people we want to be.
Setting goals is vital to success in life. If you need help with goal planning for your career—or even your team—send me a message so we can chat about coaching: Dr. Melissa Smith
Want a broader view on goal setting? Check out How to Achieve Your Goals.