Welcome to part three of the Dream, Plan, Do series. In the first installment you were encouraged to write down your goals, dreams, and wishes. In the second part you chose the five most important goals you want to pursue. This third article focuses on creating clear, practical steps to achieve those goals. If you want to review the earlier parts, look for “Dream, Plan, Do – Turning Our Dreams into Plans” and “Dream, Plan, Do – Turning Our Dreams Into Goals” in your saved reading list.
Creating Steps to Achieve Our Goals
It’s common to feel energized after reading a motivating article or book about reaching goals, only to see that momentum fade after a few days or weeks. Why do so many of us start strong and then stall? Often the reason is not a lack of desire but the habits and routines that quietly undermine our progress. To make lasting change, we must identify what derails us and replace those patterns with practical, supportive habits.
(P.S. I love books on goal-setting — they’re useful when paired with real-world steps.)
STEP ONE – Stop doing things that undermine your motivation.
First, notice the small, recurring choices that sap your drive. For example, if passing a bagel shop on your commute consistently leads to breaking your diet, change your route or your routine. Replace triggers that tempt you with alternatives that support the goal: listen to an audiobook or playlist, drink a glass of water with lemon, and eat a healthy breakfast you’ve planned in advance. Small environmental changes reduce decision fatigue and make it easier to stick with your plan.
Personal tip: I frequently lose focus when I get dehydrated, so I always keep a water bottle on my desk and in my bag.
STEP TWO – Break big goals into short-term steps.
Large goals feel overwhelming because they often lack a clear map. Use short-term, measurable steps to make steady progress. Think of this like eating an elephant one bite at a time: small, consistent actions add up.
For example, if your objective is to lose weight, tracking food intake is a proven helper. If you’re very busy, tracking every meal right away can feel impossible. Start smaller: write down only your breakfast for one week. In the second week add lunch. In the third week include dinner and snacks. Keep this habit for 30 days and you’ll likely become much more aware of your patterns and able to adjust intake to meet your goals.
Other examples of bite-sized steps: if your goal is to write a book, commit to 200 words per day for one month; if your goal is to run a race, start with three short runs per week and increase gradually. The aim is to create a reliable, repeatable routine that builds momentum.
STEP THREE – Keep your eye on the target.
A target is something you aim for — you may not hit the bullseye immediately, but focusing on the target moves you closer with each attempt.
Keep your major goals visible: pin them where you’ll see them daily. Make them specific and time-bound. Instead of “get healthier,” write “lose one pants size by March 17,” or “complete my first 5K on April 12.” Specificity turns vague wishes into actionable targets.
Assignment: Sit down with your list of goals and write the next few concrete steps for each one. Create a sequence of smaller goals that lead toward the larger target. Review these steps weekly, write down the outcomes you want, and place the list somewhere you’ll see at the start of each day. This simple ritual keeps your priorities in focus and helps you adjust course when needed.
Most people quit because their approach lacks structure: vague intentions and no clear next steps. With concrete goals, short-term actions, and small habit changes that replace the old, unhelpful patterns, you can make significant progress. Commit to the process, track your small wins, and adjust as you learn what works best for your life.
Now take those goals off the page and into action. Keep your targets visible, tackle one small step at a time, and remove the little obstacles that undermine your progress. You can move from dreaming to doing — one steady step at a time. P.S. Moms rock.