How to Determine the Goals You Really Want to Achieve

Many of us carry a long list of goals—but not every goal truly belongs to us. Some come from family expectations, comparison, fear, or the pressure to appear successful. Seven years ago, I read the book "Think and Grow Rich," by Napoleon Hill. Every year I lead my Mastermind Group in a study of the principles of the book.

Throughout my years of mentoring staff and coaching executives and aspiring executives, I've found that the level of their growth is determined by the definiteness of what they feel is their purpose.

According to Hill, this is the first step in building wealth, whether it be wealth in finances, health, love and relationships or freedom to to do what you desire. It all begins by getting clear on what your definite purpose is. In short, you must know what you want in order to achieve it. It's sounds simply, but it alludes so many people because they don't really know what they want.

Hill's message is not simply to want more. It is to decide what you genuinely desire, commit to it, and organize your actions around it. The process below can help you separate an authentic goal from a goal you have inherited or accepted without reflection.

1. Get honest about what you desire

Before setting a goal, pause long enough to listen to yourself. Ask: If no one could praise me, criticize me, or compare themselves with me, what would I still want? Your answer may reveal a goal connected to service, creativity, freedom, family, leadership, or personal growth—not just money or status.

2. Define the goal with precision

A vague wish is difficult to act on. Hill emphasized a definite chief aim: a clearly stated outcome that gives your effort direction. Replace ‘I want to be successful’ with a specific statement such as ‘I will build a consulting practice that equips nonprofit leaders and generates consistent income by December 2027.

3. Connect the goal to a meaningful reason

Ask why this goal matters. What will it make possible for you and for the people you serve? A compelling reason creates resilience when progress is slow. Your purpose should feel larger than temporary discomfort, while still being grounded in values you can stand behind.

4. Test whether the goal is truly yours

Use these questions to examine your motivation:

• Would I pursue this if nobody ever saw the result?

• Does this goal reflect my values and the contribution I want to make?

• Am I energized by the process, not only the reward?

• What part of this goal is driven by fear, comparison, or someone else's definition of success?

  
  

5. Write a personal declaration

Hill recommended putting your desire into writing and reading it regularly. Write a short declaration that includes what you want, when you intend to achieve it, what you will give in return, and the first actions you will take. Keep the language positive, specific, and believable enough to guide your next decision.

6. Turn desire into organized action

Clarity becomes powerful when it changes your calendar. Choose three practical actions for the next seven days. Schedule them, identify the resources or relationships you need, and review your progress at the end of the week. A goal becomes real through repeated, aligned choices.

7. Revisit and refine

Determining what you truly want is not a one-time exercise. As your experience and responsibilities change, your goals may need to mature. Revising a goal is not failure; it is an act of self-awareness. Keep the purpose, adjust the path, and remain open to what you are learning.

Ready for support

If you want help getting clear, building a realistic plan, and staying accountable as you go after what matters most, Kimberly Lewis at Motivational Muse is here for you. Visit https://www.motivationalmuse.com/ to connect with Kimberly and take your next step with confidence.

A simple reflection to begin

Set aside 20 quiet minutes and complete this sentence: ‘The achievement I most want to bring into my life—and the contribution I want it to make—is…’ Then write without editing yourself. Look for the themes that repeat. Those themes may point toward the goal that deserves your attention now.

The most important lesson is this: meaningful achievement starts with a goal that is both definite and deeply connected to who you are. When your aim reflects your values, your plan becomes clearer, your persistence becomes stronger, and your success becomes more meaningful.

What goal feels most authentically yours right now—and what is one action you can take toward it this week?