If you truly want something, it’s not enough to simply declare it. You’ve got to build it. Like any delicious dish, achieving your goals takes more than just desire—it takes the right ingredients, added in the right order, at the right time.
Think of your goals like your favorite recipe. You wouldn’t throw everything into a pot and hope for the best—you’d choose each ingredient with intention. It’s the same with success. Whether you’re chasing financial freedom, starting your online business, or building your legacy, you need more than motivation. You need commitment, consistency, and confidence. These are the key ingredients that turn dreams into reality. And just like in the kitchen, when you mix them with patience and the right mindset, something incredible starts to simmer.
Experience taught me four key ingredients for lasting change!
1. Hard Work. You’re going to have to work at it and keep working at it until you’re done – making a positive change isn’t easy; otherwise, we’d be doing it all the time.
2. Continuous Daily Improvement. You’re going to need to be better today than you were yesterday, and you’re going to need to be better still tomorrow.
3. Intention & Focus. You need to start each day with an intention to move closer to your goals and learn to ignore distractions and ‘busy-ness’ so you can focus on what you need to do.
4. Fun, Freedom & Flexibility. It’s OK to hit pause and have a bit of fun – it’s your plan, and if you don’t enjoy the journey, you’ll never make it to the destination.
What’s the Best Recipe for Achieving Goals?
Only a small percentage of people truly achieve the goals they set—and it’s not because they’re more talented or luckier than the rest. For many, goals remain just that: dreams, vague hopes, or wishful thinking. They don’t realize that their goals—no matter how far-fetched they seem—can become their reality. It’s not magic; it’s method.
Here’s what I want you to know: your goals, no matter how big or bold, can be broken down into small, manageable steps. Just like cooking a complex dish, you don’t need to do everything at once. You gather your ingredients, follow the process, and trust the timing.
Reaching the summit of success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication, consistency, and patience. That’s why having a recipe for achieving your goals is so powerful. It gives you a clear action plan—a step-by-step method you can follow and come back to when life feels overwhelming.
So instead of sitting with wishful thoughts, start stirring the pot. With the right ingredients, you can create a life that’s not just dreamed of—but fully lived.
Get Clear on Your Goals!
It’s easy to talk about goals—to tell friends or family what you’d like to achieve. But one of the biggest and most common mistakes I’ve noticed is that people often set the wrong goals.
Setting the wrong goal is like planning a vacation without knowing the destination. You arrive, only to feel disappointed, drained, and wondering why you even bothered. The time, effort, and money feel wasted because the end result didn’t align with what you truly wanted.
So before you commit to chasing a goal, pause and reflect:
Is this really what I want?
Ask yourself:
– Does this goal align with my values and who I am at my core?
– Will it bring me long-term fulfillment or just a short burst of satisfaction?
– What am I hoping to feel or experience once I achieve it?
– Is the feeling I’m chasing even tied to this goal?
Take the time to dig deep. When your goals are aligned with your true desires, the effort you put in becomes meaningful. If you’re going to give it your energy, make sure it’s something truly worth working toward.
Write It Down!
Once you’ve gained clarity, it’s time for a step that seems simple—but is incredibly powerful: write down your goals.
It might sound basic, but don’t overlook it. Writing things down makes them real. Every major invention or breakthrough began as a single thought—and we have thousands of thoughts every day. Writing helps your goal stand out in the mental noise.
When you take pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), you’re telling your brain: This matters. You’ve invested your time and energy into turning a thought into something tangible. That sends a signal to your subconscious mind that this goal deserves attention.
From there, your brain starts doing what it does best—finding patterns, forming connections, and building a mental roadmap to help you reach your goal.
So go ahead—write it down. It’s the first step in turning your dream into something you can touch, live, and experience.
Identify the Skills & Resources You Need!
Just like a good recipe tells you what ingredients are required, your goal needs a clear list of the skills and resources necessary to bring it to life. And here’s the truth: it’s absolutely okay if you don’t have everything yet.
In fact, setting a goal that stretches beyond your current abilities shows that you’re ready to grow. That’s a powerful mindset. It’s not about having it all figured out from day one—it’s about being willing to learn what you need to know.
Take time to ask yourself:
– What skills do I need to develop?
– What tools, support, or training would help me move forward?
When you commit to learning and investing in yourself, you’re telling the world (and yourself) that you’re serious. Self-investment is an act of self-love—it’s a commitment to your personal growth and long-term success.
Create a Plan With Deadlines!
Great—you’ve gathered your ingredients. Now let’s talk about the method.
Without a step-by-step plan, your goal can feel overwhelming, even impossible. That’s why creating an action plan is so important. It helps you break your big goal into bite-sized, manageable tasks.
And yes—deadlines are part of the process. They might feel uncomfortable, but they add urgency and structure. Set realistic timelines for each step. Give yourself checkpoints. A rough roadmap helps you track your progress, stay motivated, and adjust when necessary.
Think of deadlines not as pressure—but as guidance. They keep your momentum going and remind you that you’re moving with purpose.
Get Busy and Take Action!
Now that your plan is in place, it’s time to move. Taking action—consistent, focused action—is the difference between staying stuck and making progress.
Most people lose steam when distractions and life challenges show up. But if you stay rooted in your “why,” and if you’ve truly aligned your goal with your values, you’ll find the strength to keep going.
This is where perseverance kicks in. Resilience, commitment, and determination will carry you through when motivation fades. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—just start. Keep showing up. One step at a time, one day at a time—that’s how real change happens.
Strengthen Your Self-Discipline!
Life will test you—there’s no way around it. You might feel discouraged, distracted, or just plain tired. It’s easy to start strong and lose steam halfway, just like it’s easy to sign up for a gym membership but never show up.
But here’s the truth: self-discipline is what keeps the momentum alive when motivation fades. Without it, you’re like a baker who quits halfway through and tosses the cake batter. What’s the point of starting if you’re not going to finish?
Even if you’ve taken a break, it’s never too late to recommit. Discipline is about showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. That’s how progress happens.
Embrace Mistakes as Lessons!
Mistakes are part of the process—period. Even the best chefs have burned dishes before mastering their signature recipes. So don’t expect a flawless journey.
The sooner you accept that mistakes are inevitable, the less they’ll derail you. Making mistakes doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re trying. What sets successful people apart is their ability to keep going, learn from their missteps, and grow through the experience.
So next time something doesn’t go as planned, ask: What can I learn from this? Because every mistake is an opportunity to refine your path and become better, stronger, and more prepared.
And hey—having a sense of humour helps too!
Visualize Your Success!
Why is everyone talking about visualization? Because it works. The brain can’t tell the difference between reality and a vividly imagined scenario. That means you can train your mind for success before it happens.
Think of visualization as your personal virtual reality system. The clearer your mental image, the stronger the emotional pull. And when you connect emotionally to your vision, you fuel your motivation.
So, picture yourself achieving your goal. Imagine the details. How does it feel? What do you see? The emotion behind that vision is what will drive you forward—again and again.
Celebrate the Small Wins!
Every milestone matters—no matter how small. Celebrating your progress keeps you excited and committed. It reminds you that the journey is just as important as the outcome.
Each small victory is a stepping stone. Pause. Acknowledge it. Reward yourself. This simple act reinforces your commitment and makes the process more enjoyable.
Because here’s the truth: achieving your goal isn’t just about getting there—it’s about who you become on the way.
Stay Focused and Keep the Momentum Going!
Focus is your superpower. In a world full of distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of your path. But where your focus goes, your energy flows—so make sure it’s flowing in the right direction.
Avoid the common traps:
- Obsessing over past failures
- Comparing yourself to others
- Pleasing everyone else
- Listening to your inner critic
- Worrying about what you haven’t done yet
When you catch yourself drifting, pause and redirect your attention to what truly matters. Revisit your plan. Reignite your vision. Get back in action.
Stay committed. Stay focused. Follow the recipe—and watch your dreams turn into your reality.
Wise Words!
Remember, achieving your goals is a journey that starts with clarity and continues with consistent action. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and trust the process. With the right ingredients and mindset, your dreams are absolutely within reach. Keep going—you’re closer than you think.