It is great to have big goals, but when you try to take that first step, you may discover that instead of feeling excited, you are overwhelmed, exhausted, and drained. On a daily or weekly basis, it can be hard to believe you will ever get there. Once that belief gets hold of you, you may find yourself working less hard at achieving the goal, getting distracted or even giving up. So much for that goal, right?

Maybe not.

The secret to reaching that big goal is to break it down into manageable chunks and celebrate each step’s completion as you accomplish it. It’s how people write books, run marathons, make movies, compose symphonies, and start a new library program from scratch.

In his article, New Year, Strong Start: Launch 2025 With Momentum, Michael Watkins explains to a business audience how to put the Momentum Method of achieving goals in short sprints into practice. Much of his advice works well for us as we work on integrating our Mission into what we do each day and aim to see our Vision come closer to reality. His focus is planning by quarters. Given our schedules, I suggest monthly reviews.

These are some of his strategies along with some of mine:

Start by assessing your current situation and realities.

• What do you ultimately want to achieve?
• What small goal will be a step in that direction?
• When can you realistically achieve it? One week? A month?

End of month assessment

• How close did you get to your small goal?
• Have any new opportunities and/or threats surfaced during the month? What can you do to address those?
• What do you need to incorporate into your planning going forward?

Celebration

• Remember getting stars for good work in elementary school? Find a way to celebrate your achievements. You can keep a chart and make notes on what worked (very helpful for seeing on tougher months), purchase flowers, or choose another treat you enjoy.
• Make the star (or other memento) visible so you see it regularly. The reminder will leep you going.

Reflection

• What did you do well? What spurred you on?
• Where did you falter? Why?
• What have you learned from this first sprint?
• What is your next small goal.

Step by step you will work your way closer to that really big goal. Each small goal —and success—empowers you to keep going and helps you during the times when it feels too hard and you wonder why you set the goal in the first place. Because the goal is attainable, and you are getting there.

You set a goal because it matters to you. Yes, difficult times pull at our focus and big goals can feel daunting, but when you break it down, enjoy each success, you get closer and, like a true leader, inspire those around you. Short sprints can allow you to win the goal marathon.