As someone deeply involved in mentoring startups, leading strategic initiatives, and working across industries, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about dreaming big—it’s about how you act on those dreams. Goals are important, but the way you set them can either empower you or hold you back.
We all want to accomplish something meaningful in life, but many of us struggle with goals that seem just out of reach. Why? Because too often, we set goals based on outcomes we can’t control. Instead, we should focus on actions we can take.
In this blog, I’ll share a practical approach to goal-setting that aligns with your efforts, drives progress, and helps you grow, no matter what stage of your career or business journey you’re on.
Why Many Goals Fail
Think about the goals you’ve set in the past. Maybe you wanted to:
- Win a prestigious award.
- Get featured in a major publication.
- Hit a revenue milestone.
- Land your dream job.
These goals sound great, don’t they? They’re ambitious and exciting. But there’s a problem: they’re outcome-based. They depend on factors outside your control—like other people’s decisions, market conditions, or even luck. When we focus only on these kinds of goals, we often feel stuck, frustrated, or like we’ve failed.
Take a moment to reflect: How many times have you worked hard but didn’t hit your goal because of something beyond your influence? It’s not your fault. The problem isn’t your effort—it’s the way the goal was set.
The Power of Action-Based Goals
Here’s a better way to set goals: focus on actions, not outcomes.
Action-based goals are within your control. They’re about what you do, not what happens as a result. For example:
- Instead of saying, “I want to raise $1M for my startup,” you could say, “I’ll pitch to 50 investors this quarter.”
- Instead of saying, “I want to get promoted to manager,” you could say, “I’ll take on a leadership project and deliver measurable results.”
- Instead of saying, “I want to lose 10 kilograms,” you could say, “I’ll exercise for 30 minutes five times a week and track my meals.”
When you focus on actions, you give yourself clear steps to follow. You know exactly what to do every day, and your success depends on your own efforts—not someone else’s decision.
How This Works in Real Life
I’ve seen the power of action-based goals firsthand in my work with startups, organizations, and my own career. Let me share a few examples:
- For Startups
Startups often set goals like “We want to be the top player in our market.” While this is inspiring, it’s vague and heavily dependent on external factors like competition and market trends. Instead, I encourage founders to break this down into actionable steps:
- “We’ll launch three new features this quarter based on customer feedback.”
- “We’ll publish one thought-leadership article each week to boost our visibility.”
- “We’ll engage with 20 potential customers to refine our product-market fit.”
By focusing on actions, startups build momentum and achieve meaningful progress, regardless of how the market shifts.
- For Career Growth
In my career as a mentor and advisor, I’ve helped professionals achieve their ambitions by setting actionable goals. For instance, instead of saying, “I want to become a VP,” I suggest focusing on steps like:
- “I’ll lead a cross-department project to demonstrate my ability to handle complex challenges.”
- “I’ll ask for feedback from my manager every quarter and implement their advice.”
- “I’ll take a course to strengthen my strategic thinking skills.”
These actions show leadership and initiative, making you a stronger candidate for the role you want.
- For Personal Development
Even in personal goals, the same principle applies. If you want to learn a new skill, don’t say, “I want to master French by next year.” Instead, set goals like:
- “I’ll practice speaking French for 30 minutes a day.”
- “I’ll listen to one French podcast every morning.”
- “I’ll complete a language app lesson every evening.”
By committing to these actions, you make steady progress toward your goal.
Steps to Set Action-Based Goals
Now that you understand the concept, here’s a step-by-step guide to setting action-based goals:
- Start with a Vision
Begin by thinking about the big picture. What do you want to achieve in the long term? Your vision can be broad and inspiring—like starting a successful business, becoming a thought leader, or improving your health.
- Identify Specific Actions
Break your vision down into smaller, actionable steps. Ask yourself: What can I do regularly to move closer to my goal? Be as specific as possible.
For example:
- Vision: Build a thriving network.
- Action: Attend two industry events per month and reach out to three new people each week.
- Focus on What You Can Control
Make sure your actions are entirely within your control. Avoid goals that depend on other people’s decisions or external circumstances. Instead, focus on what you can do.
- Set Measurable Metrics
Even though you’re focusing on actions, it’s important to track progress. Set metrics that reflect your efforts, not outcomes.
For example:
- Instead of tracking “deals closed,” track “outreach emails sent.”
- Instead of tracking “followers gained,” track “posts published.”
- Celebrate Your Progress
Every step forward is a win. Celebrate the effort you’ve put in, even if the outcome isn’t what you expected. Remember: you’re building habits and gaining experience, which will pay off in the long run.
What Happens When You Focus on Actions
When you set action-based goals, you create a sense of ownership and control. This shift has several benefits:
- Reduced Stress
You’re no longer worrying about things you can’t influence. Instead, you’re focusing on what you can do, which reduces anxiety and keeps you motivated.
- More Consistent Progress
Action-based goals give you a clear roadmap. Each small action adds up over time, leading to bigger achievements.
- Resilience Against Setbacks
When things don’t go as planned, you can adjust your actions and keep moving forward. You’re not stuck waiting for external validation or luck to work in your favor.
My Personal Approach to Goal-Setting
As someone managing multiple roles and responsibilities, I’ve found this approach to be invaluable. For instance, when I mentor startups, my focus isn’t on guaranteeing them funding or market dominance. Instead, I guide them to take actionable steps that improve their chances of success.
Similarly, in my own career, I don’t set goals like “become the best-known mentor in Southeast Asia.” Instead, I focus on:
- Writing one insightful blog post every month.
- Hosting workshops and webinars to share knowledge.
- Building meaningful relationships within the ecosystem.
These actions are within my control, and they consistently lead to new opportunities.
Take Charge of Your 2025 Goals
As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your goals and set yourself up for success. Here’s how you can get started:
- Review Your Past Goals
Look back at the goals you set this year. Which ones did you achieve? Which ones felt out of reach? Identify whether they were outcome-based or action-based.
- Reframe Your Goals
For every outcome-based goal, ask yourself: What actions can I take to move toward this outcome? Rewrite the goal to focus on those actions.
- Commit to the Process
Trust that consistent effort leads to meaningful results. Focus on the journey, and the destination will take care of itself.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, success is about showing up, taking action, and learning from the experience. When you set action-based goals, you empower yourself to make progress every day. You take control of your path, build habits that matter, and create opportunities for growth.
So, as you plan your next steps, remember: It’s not about waiting for someone else to validate your success. It’s about what you do—every single day—that moves you closer to your vision.
Author: Rashedun Nabi
