How to Set Goals Like a Brain Scientist (So You Don’t Have to Hire Us 🤫)

Mine, Refine, Define — A Brain-Based Approach

We probably shouldn’t be telling you this… but we’re going to anyway.This is exactly how we help our clients set and achieve goals. Follow this method, and you might not need to hire us. (Spoiler: most people don’t actually follow through — that’s where coaching makes the difference.)

If you want to take action on your career and wellness, here’s how to use your brain’s natural wiring to set goals and actually achieve them.

Step 1: Mine for Your Goals (The Easy Part)

The first thing we tell our clients? Mine your goals. This is the easy part, where you get to dream big without any judgment.

Sit back and write down all the things you want in your life. Career, wellness, personal aspirations — whatever comes to mind. Don’t censor yourself. Whether it’s landing a job, launching a business, or getting healthier, get it all down on paper (or your Notes app).

Examples: Career Goals:

• Land a summer internship at a top company

• Secure a full-time job with a salary over $70K

• Improve networking skills (so it doesn’t feel cringe)

• Stop procrastinating on job applications

• Figure out what I actually want to do

• Negotiate a better salary at my first job

• Get promoted in the next year

  
  

Wellness Goals (Because Success ≠ Burnout):

• Actually get 7+ hours of sleep (not 4)

• Go to the gym without hating it

• Set boundaries so work doesn’t take over my life

• Stop living off caffeine and Uber Eats

• Reduce stress and actually feel good in my daily life

• Make time for hobbies that aren’t “productive”

  
  

Write down at least 10–15 goals — a mix of career and wellness. After all, what’s the point of crushing your career if you’re miserable doing it?

Step 2: Refine Your Focus

Now, take a step back. Trying to juggle 15 goals at once will just overwhelm you. Instead, refine your list to three primary goals — two career-related and one wellness-related (yes, the wellness goal is mandatory!).

Think about what will move you forward the fastest. What feels most urgent? What, if accomplished, would make everything else easier? These are your power goals.

Examples:

If you’re in college:

✅ Land a summer internship

✅ Improve my LinkedIn and resume

✅ Actually stick to a sleep schedule

If you just graduated and are job hunting:

✅ Apply to 5 jobs a week without procrastinating

✅ Get better at interviewing

✅ Meal prep so I stop eating junk every day

If you’re already working but feeling stuck:

✅ Get promoted within the next 6 months

✅ Develop leadership skills

✅ Set work-life boundaries so I don’t burn out

Remember, your wellness goal is non-negotiable. You won’t be successful long-term if you’re stressed, exhausted, and running on fumes.

Step 3: Define Success (No Vague Goals Allowed)

Most people make the mistake of setting vague goals like “I want a job” or “I want to be healthier.” And then they wonder why they don’t make progress.

Your brain needs clear, measurable targets to work toward. Without them, you’ll just keep spinning your wheels.

Examples of Bad vs. Good Goals:

🚫 “I want to land a job.”

✅ “I want to get a full-time marketing role in NYC with a salary of $65K+ by July.”

🚫 “I want to be healthier.”

✅ “I will work out 3x a week and meal prep lunches.”

🚫 “I want better work-life balance.”

✅ “I will stop working at 7 PM and take Sundays off completely.”

See the difference? Be specific. Make it clear and measurable so you’ll know exactly when you’ve succeeded.

Step 4: Take Three Tiny Steps (This Week, Not ‘Someday’)

Here’s where many people get stuck. They think about their goals, but don’t actually take action. But not you — you’ve got this.

Now that you’ve defined your goals, break each one down into three small, actionable steps you can take this week. Keep it manageable. You don’t need to solve everything overnight — just take the first step.

Example:

Career Goal: Land a job in finance by July

1️⃣ Update resume and tailor it for finance roles

2️⃣ Apply to 5 positions on LinkedIn and company websites

3️⃣ Reach out to 2 alumni for informational interviews

Wellness Goal: Stop feeling exhausted all the time

1️⃣ Set a bedtime that allows for 7+ hours of sleep (and actually stick to it)

2️⃣ Swap out energy drinks for actual water (wild concept, I know)

3️⃣ Go outside for 10 minutes in the morning to wake up naturally

Small steps lead to big progress. Don’t overcomplicate things — just get started.

The Real Learning Happens When You DON’T Follow Through

Here’s the part no one talks about: What happens when you don’t do the things you say you’ll do? Because it will happen. You’ll procrastinate. You’ll say “I’ll start Monday” (and then not start Monday).

And that’s where the real learning happens.

This is the biggest difference between reading a blog and working with a coach.

When our clients don’t follow through, we don’t just say, “Try harder.” We ask:

• Why did you avoid applying to jobs this week?

• What’s holding you back from networking? Fear of rejection? Imposter syndrome?

• Why do you keep skipping workouts? Are you setting unrealistic expectations?

Most of the time, it’s not laziness. It’s something deeper. And that’s the work we do in coaching. We help you figure out what’s blocking you — so you can actually overcome it instead of repeating the same cycle.

So… Do You Actually Need a Coach?

Technically? No.

Will you actually follow through on all this by yourself? Maybe.

But this is the method we use in our coaching. We make sure our clients follow through, and when they don’t, we help them understand why — so they can fix the pattern instead of staying stuck.

If you can do it yourself? Awesome. Go prove us wrong.

But if you want someone to help you push past your blocks and actually change your life (without sacrificing your happiness), well… you know where to find us. 😉

Email us now!