When your goals stop making sense, do this instead

Read time: 4 mins

Let’s talk about goals.

There’s a pressure to have it all mapped out.
Five-year plan. Ten-year vision.
Clear milestones, sharp deadlines, no room for uncertainty.

But what if you don’t have a perfect plan?
What if you’re still figuring out what success even means to you?
What if the goals that once made you excited… don’t anymore?

I’ve been there.
Where you set a goal because it sounded right, not because it felt right.

I’ve learnt a couple of ways on how you can reset your goals, especially at work.

So here’s how you can start to set goals that make sense.

1. Set goals based on values, not just outcomes.
“Get promoted.”
“Double my income.”
“Start my own thing.”

These are valid goals, but they’re surface-level unless you know the why behind them.

Try asking yourself:

• What kind of life do I want to build around this?

• What parts of myself do I want to grow through this goal?

• Would this still be worth it if no one clapped?

When your goals are rooted in your values, they stay meaningful even when things shift.
And trust me, things will shift.

2. Your goals can change, and that’s not a failure.
Changing direction isn’t giving up.
Adjusting your plan isn’t a sign you lack discipline.

It’s growth.
It means you’re listening to yourself instead of following a script.
It means you’re checking in, not checking out.

Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is admit that the goal you had no longer fits the person you’ve become.

That’s not quitting. That’s clarity.

Don’t just set goals to impress people who don’t live your life.
Set goals that reflect who you are and who you’re becoming.

Stay honest.
Leave space to change your mind.

🟩 If this helped, pass it on to someone who’s rethinking their goals, too.
🟩 Got a goal you’re working toward? Hit reply, I’d love to hear it.

– Mawuena