Why You Should Set an Impossible Goal This Year
I’ve always been drawn to setting goals. Years ago, I found a folded slip of paper stuck between the pages of a dusty book. It was a list of goals I’d written when I was only ten years old. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t fight with my brothers. That I’d keep my desk clean at school and that I’d learn how to braid my sister’s hair. Guess which one I actually conquered? Trick questions, the answer is none of them!
I’ve always set goals for the New Year. It feels like a fresh start. A chance to dream bigger, reset priorities, and commit to goals that move us closer to the life we want. I recently listened to a podcast with Amy Porterfield and Jasmine Star. Their guest was a psychologist, Dr. Benjamin Hardy and this episode inspired me to change the way I approach setting goals.
I’ve always been SMART about my goals - setting specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time-sensitive goals. I’ve created charts and detailed steps to get to my goal. And it does work. It’s how I became certified as a mindfulness and life coach years ago and learned how to play the harp and wrote and published my memoir. But this year, instead of focusing on resolutions that feel safe or familiar, I’ve decided to set a BHAG—a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal.
What’s my BHAG? Writing a book in six months. I start February 1st!!
It’s the kind of goal that scares me. My memoir took me five years to write. What if I can’t keep up the momentum? What if I lose focus? But at the same time, it excites me. I can already imagine the joy of holding that finished book in my hands, the sense of accomplishment, and the stories I’ll have to share from the process.
That’s the beauty of an impossible goal—it pushes you outside your comfort zone and forces you to think, act, and dream in ways you never have before.
An impossible goal is different from your everyday goals. It’s big enough to feel daunting yet meaningful enough to spark your passion. And when you commit to it, it doesn’t just change your results—it transforms you.
Here’s why setting an impossible goal this New Year might just be the most important thing you do:
5 Reasons to Set an Impossible Goal
1. It Challenges Your Current Thinking
When you aim for something far beyond your current reach, it forces you to question your old patterns and assumptions. You can’t achieve an impossible goal with the same strategies that got you where you are now. Instead, you have to think bigger, innovate, and ask yourself, What needs to change for this to happen? When I was writing my memoir, my goal was to simply keep writing. But now, I need to think bigger, to find a way to keep my writing alive throughout the day. Setting bigger goals sparks creativity because a BHAG demands innovative thinking. You’ll need to explore unconventional ideas and find solutions you never imagined.
2. It Builds Resilience and Growth
An impossible goal comes with setbacks. And that’s a good thing. The challenges you face build your resilience and teach you to embrace failure as part of the journey. I went through every setback while writing my memoir, including throwing it away and starting over. And yet, this journey stretched my abilities and grew my confidence in knowing that I’d figure out a solution.
3. It Clarifies Your Priorities
A goal this big requires focus. You can’t waste time on distractions or things that don’t matter. You’ll quickly learn to align your daily actions with your most important priorities, cutting through the noise to stay on track. In order to commit to my BHAG, I need to cut back on social media and mindless tv watching.
4. It Inspires Others
Your courage to dream big doesn’t just impact you—it impacts everyone around you. When others see you chasing something extraordinary, it gives them permission to do the same. Your actions become a beacon of possibility. And knowing that your light can guide others becomes part of motivation.
5. It Makes the Journey Meaningful
Even if you don’t reach the goal, the pursuit of it adds meaning and adventure to your life. It’s not just about the destination; it’s about who you become along the way. The growth, the lessons, and the experiences are the real reward. Even if I never published my memoir, writing it taught me about the healing power of music and writing. I can’t wait to see the lessons writing my next book will teach me.
My Challenge to You
Of course, we need everyday goals. But we also need a giant goal, one that makes you a little nervous, one that stirs something deep inside you. Ask yourself: What’s my BHAG?
For me, writing a book in six months is terrifying and exhilarating all at once. But I’m taking it one step at a time, knowing that the process will teach me as much as the outcome itself. There’s something electrifying about a bold, audacious goal. It lights a fire inside you, making every step feel purposeful and energizing.
Maybe your BHAG is starting a business, running a marathon, or finally pursuing that dream you’ve tucked away. Whatever it is, know this: You don’t have to do it alone.
This is what I help my clients do—break through fear, find clarity, and take bold steps toward their dreams. If this year is the year you’re ready to dream bigger, I’d love to be part of your journey.
Let’s make this the year of the impossible. Together.
