Set Goals, Then Work Out The How

Set goals, then work out the how.

Do you set goals and then plan how you’re going to achieve them?

Sometimes the plan changes, but the goal stays steady. Already this year didn’t unfold the way I expected, but the direction hasn’t shifted — it’s actually clearer.

I find life runs smoother when I stay flexible enough to adapt, but grounded enough to hold my course. The outcomes I’m aiming for — in writing, in reading, in every part of my life — don’t just manifest on their own. Manuscripts don’t write themselves. Books don’t read themselves. Progress doesn’t happen by accident.

It takes effort, intention, and a willingness to go with the flow when life redirects you.

Everyone approaches goals differently.

Some people like to know what they’re doing every second of the day.

Some never intentionally set goals at all and wonder why life isn’t unfolding the way they imagined.

Others have a vague sense of “I’d like to achieve this…” and trust their minds to start working out the how.

Me? I like to know what’s coming up in the weeks, months, and years ahead. I aim to achieve what I set out to do, but I stay flexible enough to shift deadlines when life requires it. That, to me, is the sweet spot.

I used to keep a seriously intimidating Word document and review it daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly. Now I’ve evolved. I have a whiteboard fixed to the wall and another portable one I can carry around. (Let’s not mention the five little whiteboards on my fridge that track monthly goals — gentle reminders of what’s happening and what matters.)

The fixed board holds the big picture: the next five years, with more detail for the next twelve months.

The portable board is my daily check‑in — a living list I erase and rewrite as I move through the week. It holds everything: family, friends, hobbies, writing, education, upcoming events, and the small joys that matter to me… like taking a break to watch the sunrise with a camera and a cup of tea.

My day usually starts somewhere between 3am and 4am. I write or do something toward my author development until around 7:30. Then I transform into a whirlwind — shower, dress, eat, teeth, out the door — heading to the job that keeps a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food in my mouth, and most importantly, internet access to my computer.

When I get home, I put my feet up for as long as I need (sometimes 20 minutes, sometimes until bedtime). If I’m not overstretched, I read and write before sleep.

Weekends are a different rhythm. Sometimes I can write all weekend — and I love those times. But most weekends, I get out and live.

And that’s important too.

Don’t forget to plan that into your goals as well.

In the end, the way we move toward our goals matters just as much as the goals themselves. Life will always shift around us — sometimes gently, sometimes with a jolt — and the trick is learning to adjust without losing sight of what we’re working toward. The systems we build, the habits we nurture, and the small daily choices we make all carry us forward, even when the path bends in unexpected ways.

Plan with intention, live with flexibility, and let both guide you where you’re meant to go.