The 3 Essential Steps of Effective Goal Setting
Goal setting is more than just deciding what you want. It’s a structured process that requires clarity, emotional honesty, and consistent follow-through. In a recent coaching call, I shared a personal example to illustrate the deeper work behind effective goal setting. I used the goal of building a stronger Instagram presence—not simply to grow a following, but to better communicate my coaching philosophy and reach more women interested in lifting for their long-term health.
Here’s what I learned (and shared), and how you can apply the same principles to any goal. Whether it’s training, nutrition, business, or something entirely different, the process remains the same.
Step 1: Cultivate Conviction Before You Commit
Before you can meaningfully pursue a goal, you must believe in it fully. That’s what conviction means. Without it, action plans stall and motivation fizzles out. Often, when we think we’re committed, what’s actually happening is inner conflict that hides behind logical-sounding excuses.
Take my own Instagram example. I told myself that my clientele didn’t use Instagram. I also believed that a stronger Instagram presence wouldn’t benefit my business and that my efforts there wouldn’t matter because my clients could connect with me elsewhere. These thoughts sounded rational at the time, but they were actually stories I created to justify not starting. The truth was, I felt uncomfortable and unsure.
🔑 Truth bomb: If you're waffling on a goal, examine the internal stories you're telling yourself. They might be protecting you from discomfort rather than reflecting reality. That’s not weakness—it’s a normal human response. But recognizing this pattern is the first step to moving forward.
Conviction doesn’t always arrive overnight. You might spend months—or even years—going back and forth. That’s perfectly okay. Just know that until you’re fully in, with no part of you holding back, you’ll struggle to gain momentum.
Step 2: Create an Actionable, SMART Plan
Once you have conviction, you can begin building your roadmap. This is when planning becomes useful and powerful. You’re now ready to build a structure that is actionable and realistic. One of the best frameworks for doing this is the SMART method, which stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Actionable
Realistic
Time-sensitive
Let’s walk through how I applied it to my Instagram goal:
Specific: I needed to learn how to create engaging Reels. I realized I lacked the necessary skills, so I purchased a course designed to teach them.
Measurable: I committed to completing one lesson each day.
Actionable: I followed through by creating content based on what I learned in each lesson.
Realistic: I evaluated my available time and decided I could post three times per week.
Time-sensitive: I gave myself a 30-day trial period to implement the plan and assess its effectiveness.
Rather than sticking with a vague objective like “post more on Instagram,” I created a clear, sustainable, and trackable strategy.
🧠 Pro tip: Break your goal into small, concrete steps. Make the first one simple enough to complete today. Then build from there.
Step 3: Develop a Resilient, Growth-Oriented Mindset
Even with conviction and a solid plan in place, challenges will inevitably arise. That’s why mindset work is essential. It’s the thread that holds your efforts together when things get difficult.
You’ll face resistance. You’ll feel frustrated. You’ll experience failure. But that’s where the transformation happens.
💬 “Success is really a string of happy failures.”
Every misstep is a chance to learn. If you’re willing to reflect and make adjustments, those failures become stepping stones. This mindset becomes especially important when you’re trying something new and don’t yet have the skills to succeed right away. That’s completely normal. Growth happens at the edge of discomfort.
This is also the point where coaching can make a tremendous difference. A coach can help you navigate the frustrations, reframe the failures, and make sure you don’t give up before you see progress. Coaches don’t just provide direction—they help you build a system that fits you.
In Summary: The 3 Steps to Effective Goal Setting
Reinforce Conviction – Be honest about whether you truly want the goal. Learn to recognize and challenge the stories you tell yourself that might be protecting you from hard work or discomfort.
Build a SMART Action Plan – Structure your goal with measurable, manageable, and time-bound steps that reflect where you are right now.
Adopt a Growth Mindset – Expect obstacles. Embrace the learning process. Use setbacks as feedback, not failure, and keep refining your approach.
Ready to Dig Deeper?
This kind of work is powerful, especially when done in partnership with a coach. If you’re ready to clarify your goals, build a real plan, and keep yourself moving forward, I’m here to help. Let’s take your goal from just an idea to a real, achievable outcome—step by step.
© Tina McInnes Coaching 2025