Setting Goal Rocks

Have you ever felt weighed down by all the “big picture” goals you’ve been told to set? It’s great to dream in the long term, but sometimes you just need to see results now. In today’s episode, I explore a shorter-term goal-setting trick that’s helped me keep going when my ADHD or Dyslexia decides to bring in some chaos.

We also dig into why trusting yourself is such a big part of planning. It’s not always about having the perfect strategy, but rather learning how to manage your mind along the way. If you’ve ever struggled to stay focused on a target, you’re in the right place. The podcast player is at the top of this page, so feel free to listen anytime.

Why Long-Term Visualising Can Overwhelm

Big picture thinking has its perks. You feel all excited about a grand plan, you sketch it out, then boom — it feels huge and intangible. Sometimes that vision loses its shine before you even get started.

There’s a reason short-term goals can be powerful. They act as friendly stepping stones. Instead of staring at a far-off vision and wondering how you’ll reach it, you focus on the next few steps in front of you. This approach is more grounded, and it helps whether you’re juggling ADHD or just normal life busyness.

In the podcast, I share why this shift in perspective was a game-changer:

“Sometimes setting a big vision sounds amazing, but it’s easy to get lost in the daydream. Short-term goals help me actually take action.”

Making Shorter Goals Work for You

Aim for what you can reasonably achieve in a month, a week, or even a day. Customs vary, but the point is to pick goals that don’t stretch beyond your near-term focus. Here’s how I approach it:

• Break down tasks: If your project is to remodel a room, focus on the first step, like picking paint colours. Then, choose the next step after that.
• Stick them where you can see them: Post-it notes, a mini whiteboard, or a digital list can all help your brain remember what matters.
• Pick a manageable number: Don’t overload yourself with 20 micro-goals; try focusing on 2-3 that are urgent. The rest can wait their turn.

Shorter targets keep you motivated and let you check off wins more often. I can’t count how many times I’ve lost steam chasing a giant dream. Now, I use bite-sized tasks to make progress less scary.

ADHD and Dyslexia-Friendly Approaches

One of the big challenges with ADHD and Dyslexia is that our brains can jump around. Distraction, changing interests, and a flexible sense of time all combine to create spurts of hyperfocus followed by lulls.

Here are a few personal highlights from my ADHD & Dyslexia toolbox:

• Create visual cues and reminders: Colour-coded notes can be great for Dyslexic minds (and ADHD too). It gives immediate visual context and can be more memorable than plain text.
• Use timers and alarms: Pacing helps keep tasks on track. Try a simple phone timer for 15-minute bursts, then take a break.
• Write it down as soon as it comes up: Ideas vanish quickly if they stay in your head. Grab your phone or a small notepad. It’s amazing how many aha moments you might rescue.

For me, these strategies help shift from dreamland to done. When things are broken up in an engaging way, my brain is less likely to drift off on flighty tangents. It won’t always be perfect, but little improvements can be massive over time.

Trusting Yourself and Enjoying the Process

Let’s be honest: we often get told to find the “best” way to plan. Yet the real magic is learning to trust yourself. You know what’s best for you. If you try a tactic and it feels wrong, tweak it or drop it. Don’t waste weeks trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

When you trust your instincts, you’re more likely to stay motivated. It also helps to celebrate small victories along the way. If you manage to hit one of your micro-goals, take a minute to acknowledge it and maybe do something nice for yourself.

I talk a lot in this episode about building confidence, especially for adults who’ve battled Dyslexia or ADHD in silence for years. This isn’t about perfect solutions. It’s about knowing you can do it, even if it looks different from how others do it.

Combining Realistic Goals with Ambition

There’s still room for that big, shiny dream you have. We’re not throwing away ambition. We’re simply giving it a supportive framework. Think of short-term goals as the mini “hops” that eventually carry you across the finish line.

Try not to talk yourself out of your big dreams because of fear or discomfort. Let them stay in your mind as a beacon, but don’t let them scare you. By building small, realistic targets that tick off each week, you’ll reach that longer vision in a more stable way.

As you sense progress, you’ll notice your sense of self-trust getting stronger. You might even feel less stressed. That’s when you spot the real power of short-term focus.

• Test new strategies: Don’t stick to one rigid system if it’s not helping. Experiment until you find a flow that works.
• Check for growth: Reflect on your wins every couple of weeks. It’s encouraging to see your progress add up.
• Stay flexible: Plans will shift. That’s normal. Adapt as you go and keep your eyes on the next step.

Key Takeaways

• Your big, shiny dream isn’t going anywhere. Short-term goals simply help you reach it in a less overwhelming way.
• Trust yourself enough to experiment. Use what resonates, and ditch what doesn’t.
• Visual cues, small lists, and quick notes can be game-changers. They support ADHD and Dyslexia by keeping tasks in sight.
• Celebrating each small victory builds confidence. Don’t shrug off the good stuff you achieve.

Feeling ready to explore the details, or just want to hear my personal stories about ADHD & Dyslexia in greater depth? Give the full episode a listen. I share more tips on how I juggle day-to-day tasks with some bigger goals still in the background. You’ll find the podcast player right at the top of this page, so get comfy and press play!