The Midyear Reset: The Art of Setting Goals

As July winds down, I want to ask you something: What did you set out to achieve this year?

We’re halfway through 2025. So, this week, we’re talking about the art of setting goals – not just why it works, but how to do it in a way that actually sticks.

Are you any closer to becoming the version of yourself you had in mind? If your answer is no, I want to challenge you to refocus and use these next six months to get back on track. Just because you’ve hit setbacks or been blindsided by life doesn’t mean you need to throw out your goals.

Let me give you a visual:

Imagine you’ve been preparing for a meeting for weeks. You’ve gathered the data, built a killer presentation, and even practiced it in front of friends and family. But on your way to the meeting, you get a flat tire. You wouldn’t get out, throw your hands in the air, and scream, “I’m done,” then pop the other three tires just because something went wrong.

No. You’d change the tire and keep moving.

The same goes for your goals. Just because it’s July and things haven’t gone according to plan doesn’t mean it’s time to quit. It means it’s time to reset. Refocus. And move forward with intention.

Let’s get into it.

Does Goal Setting Actually Work?

Let’s be honest. Resetting is hard. Especially when you feel like you’ve already fallen behind.

But the truth is, the most successful people aren’t the ones who never fail. They’re the ones who get clear on what matters, adjust the plan, and keep moving forward. That clarity? It starts with how you set your goals.

And the research backs that up.

Studies show that when people take time to clarify why a goal matters, not just what they want, they experience real improvements in motivation, emotional well-being, and long-term follow-through.

It’s not just about writing down a wish list. It’s about building goals that are:

• Self-chosen
• Emotionally meaningful
• Paired with consistent reflection and feedback

In one study, participants who received goal-setting coaching, where they reflected on their values and planned specific action steps, reported higher life satisfaction and more consistent follow-through than those who just set superficial goals. Other research found that writing down a goal and sharing it with someone increased the chances of success by more than 30%.

So yes, goal setting works.

But it works best when your goals are connected to your story and grounded in what actually matters to you.

What the Fire Service Taught Me About Goal Setting

Before I ever had a title or a team, I was introduced to goal setting by a man who changed the way I think – Zig Ziglar. I read 'See You at the Top' three or four times, and years later, I had the opportunity to have him sign my copy before he passed away. That book helped shape how I approached personal development early on, and it stuck.

But it wasn’t just books that taught me. It was the fire service.

In my 16 years in emergency services, goal setting wasn’t just a theory – it was a vital survival tool. During leadership training, we learned how to set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It wasn’t just about filling in boxes. It was about preparing for high-stakes decisions, staying accountable under pressure, and creating systems that function effectively, especially when things go sideways.

We weren’t just reacting to emergencies. We were planning for them. And that mindset translated far beyond the firehouse.

In fact, recent research on leadership in the fire service supports this. Firefighters and officers who set meaningful personal and professional goals are more resilient, better under stress, and more consistent in recovery. Structured goal setting, when paired with reflection or coaching, enhances clarity, performance, and long-term well-being. That applies to any high-stress role. And honestly, it applies to life as well.

How I Set Goals Today

I keep things simple but intentional. I break my goals into two categories: personal and professional.

Every January, I map out my personal goals for the year, things like health and fitness, quality time with family, books I want to read, or places I want to visit.

On the professional side, I build a 1-, 3-, and 5-year plan. That includes business growth, speaking engagements, certifications, creative projects, and writing goals.

In fact, Wisdom at a Cost, the book I released this past May, was one of those goals. I wrote that down as a three-year target. And on May 1, 2025, it went live on Amazon.

That wasn’t luck. That was a long-term vision, broken down into small, consistent steps – until it became real.

Some of my goals are big and long-term. Others are small and steady: keep showing up, keep learning, and keep growing.

What matters most is this:

• My goals are written down.
• They’re tied to a purpose.
• And I revisit them often (not just when things are going well).

For what it’s worth, I still use the same worksheet I created years ago to do exactly that. It’s simple, straightforward, and built around the same process I’ve followed to set every major goal in my life – from finishing my degree to publishing Wisdom at a Cost.

You can find the worksheet I use here: Download the Free Worksheet – The Art of Setting Goals

Final Thought:

If you want to take control of the rest of 2025, start here:

• Review the goals you set at the start of the year. Still relevant? Adjust. Off track? No shame. Just reset and recommit. No goals yet? Set one that actually means something to you.
• Write it down, and say it out loud. Tell someone you trust. Just making your goal public increases the chances you’ll follow through by over 30%.
• Set one short-term goal to hit before the end of the year. Keep it challenging, but realistic. Tie it to who you’re becoming, not just what you’re doing.

And remember - you don’t need permission to start again. You don’t need the perfect conditions. You just need one clear decision, and the courage to act on it.

Reset the plan. Reclaim your momentum. Finish strong.

You’re not too late. You’re right on time. Stay the Course.

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