Setting Tiny Goals for Lasting Life Changes

Last Updated on August 4, 2022

What are tiny goals? Well, think of a small increment of something and then divide that in half, then in half again. We’re talking about simple, easily identifiable, achievable, small steps toward a particular goal.

Tiny goals fit into our lives by helping us clarify what we want and giving us a sense of accomplishment as we achieve them. They are a simple and undaunting system that most of us will find manageable.

They help us focus on the bite-sized pieces of the steps we need to take in our personal life to get where we want to be. Tiny goals allow for personal growth because they can easily be tailored to our individual needs.

In this blog post, we will discuss what tiny goals are, how they can benefit women of all ages, and why setting and achieving tiny goals is a powerful tool for personal growth.

And, I have a free printable for you, to help you get started on your goal-setting journey through the use of small, manageable goals. You’ll find access to that at the bottom of the post!

Tiny Goals Have a Place in Our lives

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when we think about all the things we want to accomplish.

But if we break our goals down into tiny, achievable steps, we can stay focused and make progress without getting overwhelmed.

When it comes to setting goals, it’s important to find a balance between big-picture thinking and small-scale planning. On the one hand, we need to have a clear idea of our overall objectives. But on the other hand, we need to be mindful of the day-to-day choices that will help us move closer to our goals.

By setting tiny achievable goals, we can keep our eye on the prize while taking care of the little things that matter along the way.

Definition of a Tiny Goal

A tiny goal is a really small and specific goal that you can achieve in a short amount of time. Sometimes they may be ridiculously small steps and simple tasks. But if that works for you and helps in managing simple tasks, that is all that matters.

For example, a tiny goal might be to drink one extra glass of water for the next five days, or to write 500 words of your novel every day for a week.

The point of a tiny goals system is that it’s something you can actually do, and it’s a great way to build momentum and get yourself into the habit of taking action on your bigger goals.

They’re Not Intimidating

You’re probably used to setting big goals for yourself. But what if I told you that setting tiny goals could actually help you achieve those big goals? It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true. Here’s why tiny goals are not intimidating:

1. They’re easy to take action on. When your goal is small, it’s easy to find the motivation to take action. You don’t have to invest a lot of time or effort, and you can see results quickly. This helps to keep you motivated and on track.

2. They help you build momentum. Every time you accomplish a tiny goal, you’re helping to build momentum. That momentum will carry over into other areas of your life, and before you know it, you’ll be making progress on your big goals as well.

3. They give you a sense of accomplishment. All those little accomplishments add up! And each one gives you a boost of confidence and motivation that will help you keep going.

They Help Build Healthy Habits

Many people think that in order to develop a healthy habit, they need to make a radical change.

However, research has shown that tiny goals are actually more effective in helping people stick to new habits. When it comes to developing a healthy lifestyle, small steps can make a big difference.

For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, start by adding one extra serving of fruits or vegetables to your diet each day. Or, if you want to get more exercise, commit to taking a ten-minute walk after dinner every night.

These small changes may not seem like much, but over time, they can add up to substantial improvements in your health. And the best part is that tiny goals are much easier to stick to than huge ones.

So don’t be discouraged if you can’t make major changes all at once. Remember that even the smallest steps can lead to lasting results.

They Get You Started

Many of us have experienced the discouraging feeling of looking at a large goal and not knowing where to start. This is why setting tiny goals can be such an effective strategy.

By breaking down a larger goal into manageable chunks, we can make progress without becoming overwhelmed. And as we check those tiny goals off our list, we’ll begin to build momentum, making it more likely that we’ll stick with our larger goal.

So if you’re feeling stuck, remember that even the smallest steps can get you moving in the right direction. Just set a tiny goal and take it one day at a time. And you know what will happen?

You’ll actually be doing something to work toward that larger, seemingly impossible, daunting goal.

Let’s look at an example below of someone who wants to eat healthy but seems overwhelmed with all of the changes needed in their life.

Tiny Goals to Work Toward a Healthier Lifestyle

You want to live a healthier lifestyle, but you’re not sure where to start. You don’t need to make massive changes all at once – small steps can lead to big results.

Here are five very tiny goals that will help you get on the path to a healthier you:

1. Drink one extra glass of water each day. Or, if you haven’t been drinking water regularly at all, start by drinking one glass of water. That’s it. Just one.

2. Take a brisk ten-minute walk tomorrow morning. Just do it tomorrow. That’s the goal. Cross it off the list and create the next ten-minute walk goal.

3. Cut out one sugary snack from your diet today. When you make the decision to eliminate that snack today it will feel awesome. You did it! Now, set that goal again for the next day, and the day after that.

4. Swap 10 minutes of your evening TV time for a relaxation ritual like reading or listening to relaxing music. Just ten minutes. Then add another 2 to 5 minutes to that tiny goal tomorrow.

5. Do you stay up too late out of habit? Get one more hour of sleep tonight than you usually do, by going to bed an hour earlier, or even 30 minutes earlier than normal. Once you meet that goal, set it again for the next day until you reach the goal of hours per night of sleep that you need.

How to Set Tiny Goals

So, you want to set some goals, but you’re not sure where to start? That’s totally understandable! Goal-setting can feel daunting, especially if you’re used to such big aspirations.

But one of the best ways to get started is by setting tiny goals. Why? Because tiny goals are more manageable and therefore more likely to be achieved. And once you start achieving your goals, you’ll be motivated to keep going.

So, how do you set a tiny goal? First, think about what you want to achieve. Maybe you want to save money, get in shape, or learn a new skill. Write that down.

Once you have a general idea of your goal, break it down into smaller steps that you can complete. For example, if your goal is to save money, your first step might be to decide how much money you want to save in the next 30 days.

Or if your goal is to get in shape, your first step might be to go for a walk around the block later today.

Once you have your first step, make a plan for how and when you’re going to complete it. And then get started!

Remember, even small goals can lead to big changes. So don’t be afraid to start small—you may be surprised at what you can accomplish. Once you’ve created tiny goals and see how impactful they can be, that big goal that seemed to elusive might just become more of a reality to work toward.

Examples of Tiny Goals

Small goals don’t even have to be centered around a specific topic or larger goal. They might be simple, impact just one person, and serve to make you, and them, feel good. Many times they are easily accomplishable goals. And that’s perfectly okay.

Here are a number of examples of small goals that you might decide are beautiful goals to work toward in your life over a period of weeks or months:

• smile more
• remember to say thank you
• be grateful
• practice forgiveness
• practice patience
• daily exercise
• eat veggies every day
• unplug from social media for a specified time every day
• call a loved one
• wake up 5 minutes earlier each day
• journal every day for 1 week
• walk outside for 10 minutes

It can be helpful to have a format for setting accomplishable goals, and I have something that will be perfect for you! It’s a simple worksheet, Tiny Goal Setting, that you can download, print, and start using right now!

Final Thoughts: Setting Tiny Goals for Lasting Life Changes

Setting a small goal is a great way to get started on working toward your larger aspirations. They’re more manageable and therefore more likely to be achieved, which can give you the boost of confidence you need to keep going. And by starting small and achieving those goals, you’ll be motivated to keep going. So don’t be afraid to set small goals – you may be surprised at what you can accomplish.

One final thought: be sure to celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. Achieving smaller goals is something to be proud of—so give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy your big success! You deserve it. 🙂

What are some of the tiny goals you want to set for yourself? Let us know in the comments below!