Stop Chasing Unicorns: Set Goals You Can Actually Achieve

A Fresh Take on Making It Work for You (Literally)

Running your own business can sometimes feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. Thrilling? Sure. Terrifying? Absolutely. But what if I told you that the secret to taking full control of your business success doesn’t involve a massive overhaul or 25-hour days? Instead, it’s about small yet impactful shifts in how you approach your goals. No flame-resistant suits or circus training required.

By the time you finish this guide, you’ll have actionable insights that will help you steer your business towards real, sustainable achievements. And yes, it’s all entirely within your control—no magic lamps or cryptic business memes required.

1. The Unspoken Breakthrough in Goal Setting

Forget SMART goals for a moment. Yes, they’re handy. Yes, they’ve been the darling of the productivity world. But the most important part of goal setting has been hiding in plain sight, like the last cookie in the jar. The real game-changer? Ensuring every goal is entirely within your control.

For example, setting a goal like “make $10,000 in sales this month” might sound ambitious, but here’s the catch: you can’t actually control how many people will buy from you. And when that goal falls short, guess what else shows up? Guilt, frustration, and the unhealthy urge to guilt-trip clients into making purchases. Not ideal.

Instead, shift your goal to something you can own, such as “Talk to 300 prospects this month.” Now you’re in charge. Break it down further. Ten chats a day? Doable. At the end of the day, whether someone buys or not, the satisfaction of achieving your goal will still be yours. Speaking of satisfaction, this approach reduces stress, guilt, and even disappointment. It’s mathematical magic for your sanity, and one we speak of quite frequently here on the blog. Make sure you subscribe so you won’t miss the good stuff:

Let’s dig a little deeper. Dweck (2016) highlights that embracing a growth mindset—one that values effort, learning, and progress over fixed outcomes—can transform not only the way you set goals but also how you approach business as a whole. With this mindset, missed targets are no longer seen as failures but as opportunities to learn and make adjustments. It’s like shifting from “I must win every game” to “Every play teaches me something new.” It’s a perspective that’s less stressful, more rewarding, and a lot more enjoyable for your metaphorical business jersey.

Action Step: Reflect on your recent goals. Were they focused on outcomes you can control, or have they been sneaky external benchmarks in disguise? Write down one action-oriented, fully controllable goal to pursue this week. (Bonus points if you reward yourself with something tastier than a stale cookie when you check it off.)

2. Own Your Actions, Multiply Your Wins

Success isn’t about luck; it’s about systems. Specifically, systems you build and control. Think of your business as a recipe. You’ve got a goal (that delicious pie), but unless you consistently measure, mix, and bake, the pie is a no-go.

Here’s how to take action that feeds your success pie:

1. Track Your Ratios: Data is your friend. If you know that 1 in 5 calls lands a meeting, and 1 in 50 meetings leads to a sale, you’ve got a system to play with. Want more sales? Make more calls. Simple math equals big change.
2. Routinize. Then Tweak. Establish daily habits. Whether it’s emailing prospective clients every morning or doing revenue reports weekly, routine is key. Once it’s established, you can adjust based on results.
3. Batch for Efficiency. Multitasking is a myth. Focus on one thing at a time—but do it in batches. Responding to emails? Block out one solid hour instead of nibbling at them throughout the day.
4. Automate Like a Pro. Automation tools are not just for big tech companies or folks who wear hoodies every day. Even small business owners can leverage automation for tasks like appointment scheduling and social media posting, freeing up their precious brainpower for more creative endeavours (Brown, 2023).

Remember, a consistent action plan means you’re driving your success, not just riding shotgun. When you start to analyze your actions like an athlete reviews game footage, you’ll spot patterns and opportunities to improve, without needing a clipboard or a whistle.

Still skeptical? Take this wisdom from Simons (2025): sustainable business growth is fueled by repeatable habits and mindful routines, not one-off sprints or all-nighters. So, if you’re tired of the exhausting launch-and-crash cycle, try systematizing the small things. Suddenly, bigger results won’t seem so elusive—or so random.

3. Tame the Stress Beast (No Tea Required)

Stress is the uninvited guest that shows up at every small business owner’s party. And if you don’t deal with it, it will steal all your snacks and drink all your wine (non-alcoholic if you prefer). But here’s the deal—most of that stress comes from focusing on things outside your influence.

Time to wrestle back control:

1. Kill Comparisonitis. Spending your night scrolling through your competitors’ Insta reels for “inspiration” is a one-way ticket to Imposterville. Instead, track your own progress. Compare yourself to yourself from six months ago. I promise you, you’ve grown more than you think.
2. Control Your Circle of Control. Ask yourself, “Can I directly influence this?” If the answer is no, stop wasting time worrying about it. For example, you can’t control inflation, how the cookies crumble, or the universe expanding. Focus on improving your product, marketing strategy, or follow-ups instead. Insane concept, I know.
3. Celebrate Micro-Wins. Whether it’s making that 10th call or finally, FINALLY, figuring out how to format that Excel spreadsheet, take a moment to bask in your accomplishments. Why? Because regular doses of dopamine fuel resilience and motivation.
4. Build Support Systems. You don’t have to tackle stress alone (not unless you enjoy the drama of a one-person reality show). Surround yourself with mentors, business buddies, or thoughtful clients willing to offer feedback and support. Even a quick, “Hey, I get it, this is tough,” from another entrepreneur can make you feel seen, heard, and less like a lone wolf with social obligations (Williams, 2024).

When you focus on what’s in your hands—not what’s wildly out of reach—even challenges become manageable stepping stones (Simons, 2025). And on days when nothing goes according to plan, remember: sometimes the best move is to put the kettle on, call it a day, and let tomorrow bring its own kind of brilliance.

4. The Power of Reflection and Adaptation

Ever felt like you’re stuck on the same level of the world’s most confusing video game? The good news: every “fail” comes with a shiny lesson you can use next time. Reflection isn’t about self-flagellation or dwelling on what went wrong (we’re not accountants at tax time, after all). It’s about pulling gold from the rubble—figuring out what worked, what flopped, and what you can play around with next.

Here’s a quick reflection toolkit:

1. Keep a Win Journal: Each week, jot down three things that went well. They don’t have to be major victories—sometimes “didn’t spill coffee on the laptop” is a solid contender.
2. Schedule Regular Reviews: Set aside time (monthly, quarterly, whenever Mercury exits retrograde- whatever works for you, mate.) to look at your goals, systems, and stress levels. What needs more love? What needs to be booted off the island?
3. Ask for Feedback: Yes, really. Fresh perspective isn’t just for interior design. Collect feedback from team members, clients, or even your favourite grumpy barista. Often, the biggest “aha!” moments come from the outside looking in (Dweck, 2016).

This cycle of reflection and adaptation is at the heart of what top business minds call “agile thinking”—adjusting your strategies as you learn and grow. When you build flexibility into your routine, setbacks become setups for even better comebacks.

Final Thoughts That Just Might Change Everything

Here’s the thing about running your own business: It’s equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. But at the heart of every successful entrepreneur is the same truth—that everything worth achieving lies in the small, deliberate actions we take daily.

When you drop the goals that rely on external forces and instead prioritize what’s firmly within your grasp, something magical happens. Success stops feeling far away and starts becoming…well, inevitable. Success, like love, comes faster if you don’t chase it, as the old wisdom goes.

But let me whisper one last reminder in your entrepreneurial ear: Perfection is a myth, consistency is your superpower, and enjoying the ride—bumpy bits and all—is mandatory. You only got one life, and all that. Think creatively, laugh at the chaos, and keep tweaking your systems until you have a business (and life) you actually enjoy.

You’re not just steering the car. You’re building the road as you go. Now, get out there and build something remarkable.

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References

• Brown, T. (2023). Business Automation for Entrepreneurs: Saving Time and Sanity in a Digital Age. New Horizons Press.
• Dweck, C. (2016). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Ballantine Books.
• Simons, J. (2025). The Psychology of Productivity. Productivity Press.
• Williams, S. (2024). Building Resilient Support Networks for Small Business Owners. Entrepreneurial Insights Publishing.

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