Breaking Down Big Goals into Manageable Steps
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Setting the Stage: A Race to Remember
A few years ago, my brother and I set out to complete a 50-mile trail run. At the time, the idea seemed borderline impossible. We were stepping into the unknown, and the finish line seemed a world away. But as I look back, that race taught me one of the most important lessons in life—breaking down big goals into smaller, manageable steps is the key to achieving anything significant.
When we reached the 30-mile mark, there was this surreal moment of clarity. That picture I shared on social media was taken at this exact point. It wasn’t the end, but it was a moment worth smiling about. So, what does running 50 miles have to do with achieving your own goals? Let’s break it down.
Aim Beyond Your Comfort Zone
Here’s the thing about goal-setting: we often set goals that we know we can hit. While this might feel safe, it doesn’t push us beyond our comfort zone. If you know you can accomplish a goal without stretching yourself, is it even a real goal? When my brother and I decided on running 50 miles, we weren't sure we could do it, but that uncertainty is what made the finish line meaningful.
Action Step: Set a goal that scares you just a bit. It should be something that, if achieved, would make you feel proud.
Surround Yourself with the Right Voices
To take on the 50-mile challenge, my brother brought in Chris Hoth, a coach with an impressive resume. He’d trained Olympians and elite athletes for even longer races. He handed us a training plan that was brutal, but it came from someone who’d been there and done it. There were plenty of people in our lives telling us that this was a crazy idea, and it would never work, but I realized something valuable: only take advice from those who have walked the path.
When you’re chasing big goals, seek out people with experience in that domain. People who’ve done what you’re trying to do see challenges differently—they’ve already faced those obstacles and know the path to success.
Action Step: Find mentors or experienced individuals to guide you. Their insights can be the difference between hitting a wall and hitting your target.
Plan for the Hump
In a race, there are physical aid stations, points of rest, and resupply. We had a plan that focused on the major aid station at the 30-mile mark. If we could get there with energy and focus, we could finish the race. In life, you need to have your own "aid stations"—those key points in a project or journey that serve as checkpoints to assess your progress and energy.
Identify your big humps—the milestones that, if reached, can give you the confidence to push through. Planning for these humps is crucial because knowing you’ve made it past a challenging point can provide the momentum you need to finish strong.
Action Step: Break down your goals into manageable milestones. For each one, ask, “What does it look like to get to the next aid station?”
Commit to the Plan, Adapt When Necessary
As we approached mile 40, fatigue started to hit. There were moments where moving forward felt impossible, but we had a plan, and we stuck to it. The last 10 miles were broken down into smaller segments—3 miles at a time. When the goal feels overwhelming, make the steps even smaller.
It’s the same in life. When things get tough, reduce your goals to something that feels attainable. If you’re struggling in a project, ask, “What can I realistically do today that moves me forward?”
Action Step: Have a flexible plan, but stay committed to making progress. When the road gets tough, narrow your focus to what’s immediately achievable.
Keep Celebrating Progress
Reaching the 30-mile mark wasn’t the end of the race, but it was a victory in itself. Too often, we forget to celebrate the milestones along the way. If you’re aiming for something big—whether it’s a new career, a relationship goal, or a personal transformation—recognize that there are wins along the journey. Celebrate each one as it comes.
Action Step: Acknowledge and reward yourself for reaching milestones. Each small victory is fuel for the next leg of your journey.
The Finish Line: It’s All About Perspective
Looking back on that 50-mile run, it was no longer about the entire distance; it became about individual segments. In life, tackling something big is the same. It’s not a “50-mile race,” it’s a series of shorter races strung together. When I climb mountains, I notice that as the terrain gets steeper, the ground covered in each step becomes shorter. But that’s the reality of scaling big goals: it’s all about perspective.
Action Step: When your goal feels insurmountable, zoom in. Break it down into smaller steps until each step feels possible.
It’s All About Your Strategy
You have the power to achieve big things if you follow a strategy of setting meaningful goals, breaking them down, listening to experienced voices, and sticking to your plan. But the key takeaway here is that big goals are not achieved in one giant leap; they are conquered in steps. Keep that in mind as you pursue whatever it is that matters to you.
If you want to take your team, event, or conference to the next level, book me to speak at baylorbarbee.com/pages/book-baylor. For more mindset motivation, check out my 10-minute-a-day podcast, Shark Theory, at baylorbarbee.com/pages/podcast. Mindset Matters: Let's make yours unstoppable.