Goal-Setting Gone Wild

Why I ditched the traditional goal-setting model, and how you can create your juiciest life in a more fun and fulfilling way!

Dec 30, 2024

Oh Hiiiii…. it’s me… your Creative Coach who tried to be super accountable to releasing her own newsletter on a schedule—but failed.

There was a time where I would have spiralled into self-criticism (thoroughly “punishing”myself) for not completing the goal as planned.

A time where I would have thrown the baby out with the bathwater and stopped writing to you altogether.

But now I try to zoom out and see the bigger picture.

The bigger picture that my ‘higher self’ can see from that expansive viewpoint.

When we zoom out, we see that goal-setting isn’t just about hitting milestones—it’s about the person we become in the process.

The expansive view reminds me that I’m not writing this to win accountability awards. I’m writing this because I have things I want to share with you, and because I hope it helps or inspires, or reminds you that you’re not alone in your creative process. And it’s fun for me — fun to work through my own creative process.

When we zoom out we can see our progress!

Zoomed out: At the beginning of 2024, a Substack or Newsletter was a little baby idea that I’d been carrying with me for years with no solid plan to start. I had been waiting until I felt a stronger pull towards it… and it finally came in April.

I actually started it this year!
I took messy action!
I’ve published 15x.
I’ve highlighted some beautiful artwork and beautiful humans!
I’m proud of what I’ve written - it’s all authentically me.
I worked out my own thoughts and creatively shared them.

Zoomed in: I would only be able to see where I fell short. I said I would do it weekly, then I said bi-weekly, then I lived with ideas longer and you didn’t hear from me for several weeks at a time (like right now!)

We tend to look at Goal Setting from a zoomed in perspective—missing the bigger picture.

We are trained to measure our goals based on tangible results.

Our view tends to be myopic, we evaluate success based on black or white/pass or fail measurements vs. zooming out and recognizing the growth we unlocked by taking action towards our goals.

We don’t give ourselves credit for the effort it took to be the kind of person who sets their sight on a goal, and takes action towards it.

That’s already success in my book.

As we venture into 2025 together, I thought today’s letter could be about our year-end review and goal-setting approach for 2025.

And on that accountability note, I do have Creative Rebellion Part 2 coming. The timing didn’t feel right to release that now when there is so much to discuss around all of the above.

Let’s get to reflecting & dreaming!

“New Years Wishes” by Haley Schulz (click for festive animation!)

One final reminder that you can still book a 3 month 1:1 Coaching package at my 2024 rate: $1,009 USD (or $347/month x3). This package includes the bonus 90 minute Creative Brain Untangling session.

By locking in this rate before December 31st, you’ll save nearly $400 compared to the new pricing in January.

If you’re curious, I still have availability for free Clarity Calls on Dec 30th and 31st.

As always, no pressure. I trust that you’ll take action if it feels aligned, and I’m here if you’d like to chat about whether coaching is the right fit for you.

Creative Nuggs:

I can’t shut up about taking back the year-end reflection process!

I choose to make this process feel creative, instead of feeling like a trip to the dentist.

If you’re with me in CCC, listen to my podcast, or follow me on instagram, then you know I’ve been proposing that you conduct your own 2024 Wrapped!

I’ve only been doing my own year-end wrap/future dreaming process for about 5 years now… and it’s truly responsible for some of the most PROFOUND SHIFTS in my life.

Honestly.

Setting Goals, Intentions, or Dreams for the year ahead vs. Resolutions.
Reflecting on the results of those at the end of year, and celebrating the growth.

This is where you get to see and measure how unbelievably POWERFUL you are.

We often miss squeezing the juice out of this growth because we’re busy looking to the year ahead—to what we want to manifest or create—that we don’t stop and look at what we’ve already manifested or created.

If you’ve not done your own reflection process yet - I walk you through mine in this episode:

Instead of rigid metrics, this reflection focuses on celebrating your unique creative growth and the magic you’ve built over the year.

If you’re feeling crappy about your progress this year - this episode will change your mind.

You’re doing so much better than you think!

How do I know?

Because you wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t.

As we continue, I’ll let you noodle on the question that I’m still untangling for myself:

What seeds did you plant in 2024 that you’re hoping to see bloom in 2025?

The Untangling:

A little glimpse into my own experience, and evolution of goal setting.

Why does Dreaming feel super fun, but Goal Setting feel a bit more tricky?

Give me a Vision Board Project all day…

But do not suggest that I make those visions “SMART”.

Traditional goal-setting often feels like trying to squeeze creativity into a corporate box.

—SMART goals?

Too rigid.

—5am wake-ups and aggressively scheduled calendars?

Barf.

I love the dreaming part of goal setting - it’s magical.

I’m inspired! I have ideas about how to get there - I can even write up a bunch of actions for me to take to meet that vision!

—Adding some measurement?

Okay, we do need to know if we completed the action, or not.

—Engineering the goal into a step by step process that can’t be deviated from?

Soul death.

Sound familiar?

Just me?

That’s fair, I was in a goal-setting personal development cult.

In said goal-setting “program,” I learned the typical traditional model of goal setting — one I’m cheekily referring to as the "bro goal-setting” model — the charging ahead with that classic masculine energy like, come hell or high water, I’m getting there! I won’t sleep, I will puuuush!!!

We were even taught that “women lacked discipline” and that was our problem.

Which, of course, was why we needed to follow this rigid, no-excuses approach to goal setting. This mindset gave credence to why the only way to succeed was through constant pushing and grinding.

And sure, this kind of goal-setting can work — but I believe, for Creatives, it often misses the mark.

Why?

Because it doesn’t allow for the things that make us creative: intuition, flow, and flexibility.

It’s not feminine, and it’s certainly not aligned with our creative spirit.

This model doesn’t leave room for pauses, for checking in with how you feel, or for seeing if your goals still align with your deeper desires, your why.

And let's be real — it leads to burnout.

Why?

Because it becomes more about achieving the end result, than enjoying the process.

And that’s the missing piece.

As Creatives, you started your business because you love being creative.

You want to increase your skills because you love being creative.

You want to reach more people online because you want to inspire them, or you want to get discovered by a potential client because you want to be paid for doing what you love — because you love being creative.

[Insert your goal here] … because you love the process of being creative.

So when we set goals that don’t honor that process, we are MISSING THE WHOLE POINT.

So what are we to do? Stop setting goals?

Instead of traditional goal-setting, I find freedom in creative alternatives:

“Targets:” Gentle markers that guide you forward, leaving space for growth and adaptation.
“Dreams:” Expansive, inspiring visions that pull you forward, even when the path isn’t clear.
“Experiments:” Playful, curiosity-driven actions where the process matters more than the outcome.
“Intentions:” How you want to show up in the world this year and what that version of you is capable of.

Feel rigidity in the word "Goal"? Try swapping it out for one of the above.

Whether you choose to call it a"Goal" or something else, you can still create structure while inviting more play, flexibility, and intuitive guidance.

Creativity Thrives in the Balance Between Structure and Freedom.

How to Create Freedom Within the Goal-Setting Structure:

Let intuition be your guide.

Intuition is quiet (mostly), loving, and expansive, while ego tends to be louder, fear-driven, and protective.

Here’s how to tell the difference:

Intuition feels expansive, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Ego carries fear or scarcity, focusing on protection rather than growth.

Tap into your intuition by:

Pausing and listening—it speaks clearly when "shoulds" quiet down.
Setting an intention to co-create—acknowledge your intuition and invite guidance.
Taking inspired action—trust the next step, even if it’s not the full path.

Measure progress holistically (or zoomed out):

What’s going well?
What am I learning about myself?
Is this target/goal/dream still aligned?

When intuition guides you, the journey becomes as fulfilling as the destination. It opens space for joy, creativity, and unexpected treasures along the way.

Reminder:

You’re here to enjoy the process, not just the result. Life is the art of unfolding.

Practice listening to it and allowing it to guide you.

‘I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.’ – Vincent Van Gogh

The Goals you set are just your BEST GUESS of where you want to go.

Creative goal-setting is about inviting flow, joy, and inspiration.

It’s an experiment with your intuition, and enjoying the unfolding of what wants to come to fruition.

It’s drawing your treasure map in pencil.

You’ve got a good idea of where you want to go, but as you start moving, you notice little X’s popping up along the way—hidden spots your intuition points out that weren’t on the original map.

Adopting this mindset doesn’t mean you lose sight of your goals.

Sometimes those detours lead to something even better than the treasure you were after. It’s less about rigidly sticking to the plan and more about staying open to the magic of where inspired action can take you.

Goal-setting can feel fun, and full of possibility and expansion.

That’s what I’m here for… you?

Creative Brain Untangling