Being Creative with Goals – 5 Steps to Get the Most Successful Outcomes

Can you remember your most excellent adventure?
Hopefully, you don’t have to dig too far back into the memory bank – because if you do, my friend, you’re way overdue for a good F%@* adventure!

Now, if you’ve already set some fresh goals for your next life or business adventure – good on you! If not, don’t worry. I’ve got a cunning little plan to share with you. These 5 steps will help you create goals that actually stick and set you up for some seriously successful outcomes.

Because here’s the thing: my whole life is one big adventure – and I’ve designed it that way. I live, love, work, and play on the road. And I’ve found that when you treat goals like creative adventures, they’re a whole lot more fun (and achievable).

When Goals Align with Your Values

Be creative with your planning. Insanely creative people aren’t just talented – they’re driven. And when your goals line up with your values, you’re more likely to get lost in the pursuit of them (in a good way).

I’m not claiming to be “insanely creative” (though it’s on my wishlist 😉). But I’m creative enough to chase down my dreams, turn big ideas into reality, and drag a few of you along for the ride.

And here’s what I know: the best goals don’t just tick boxes. They light you up inside. They make you feel alive.

Use the Power of Observation

Observation is magic. It’s how you gather the raw material for your goals.
Look at your past, take in the lessons, then imagine your future with all your senses: what do you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell?

But here’s the kicker: observe without judgment.
That one’s a doozy!

Ask yourself – do your goals feel right? Are they really yours, or are you chasing someone else’s dream? The more your goals are designed for you, the better your chance of nailing them.

Willingness to Take a Risk

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: adventure only shows up when you’re willing to take risks.

You can’t explore your potential if you’re glued to your comfort zone. Sometimes you’ve got to break with tradition, shake up routines, and just say: “Screw it, let’s try something new.”

And if you’re thinking, “But I feel stuck, how do I change it?”
Here’s the secret:

✨ You are the Chief Creative Designer of your life.

Whether you design it to please everyone else, or you design it to reflect your own values, passions, and beliefs – it’s all up to you.

Sometimes you just need to give yourself permission to pivot.

Why Goals Don’t Work (and How to Fix It)

Let’s be real: sometimes goals flop. Here’s why:

They’re too vague.
They’re set for someone else, not for you.
You never write them down.
You don’t revisit them.
There’s no time frame.
Or, you secretly don’t believe they’re possible.

And the biggest one? The language you use.

Most people describe goals in terms of what they don’t want. “I don’t want to be broke anymore.” “I don’t want to be stuck in this job.”

Flip the script. Say what you do want. Write it like you’re already living it:
“It’s now [date], and I am experiencing [insert your dream here].”

The 5 Steps to S.T.A.R.T.

Here’s my cheeky little spin on the classic SMART formula.

1. Specific & Self-Awareness

Get ridiculously specific. The more detail, the better. And check in with yourself – is this really your goal?

“Self-awareness is probably the most important thing toward being a champion.” – Billie Jean King

2. Truth & Trust

Speak your truth. Share it out loud. Notice how it feels in your body. Trust yourself.

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” – Albert Einstein

3. Adaptable & Accountable

Life throws curveballs. Be flexible with how you get there, but stay accountable to yourself.

“It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin

4. Realistic & Resilient

Set goals that stretch you but don’t crush you. Growth happens just outside your comfort zone. Resilience is what keeps you climbing.

“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving; we get stronger and more resilient.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli

5. Time Frame & Toward

Always give your goals a deadline. And always frame them toward what you want, not what you don’t.

Your Mission (If You Choose to Accept It)

Write down – just for fun – your big, crazy, wild dream. The one that scares you a little but excites you a lot.

Write it like this:
✨ “It is now [date], and I am experiencing…”

Don’t hold back. Let your imagination off the leash. Get creative. Get playful. And START with S.T.A.R.T.

Because here’s the thing – goals don’t have to be boring. They can be adventures in themselves. And when you bring the fun factor back, you’ll be amazed at how much more you actually achieve.

By Linda McCall