The REAL Way to Set Goals: A Road Map for Your Life

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself:

What are goals really?
Why should I have them?
What if I don’t achieve them?
Can someone else set them for me?

These are the questions I wrestled with when I began mapping out what I call my REAL Life Plan—a guide to living with purpose, clarity, and faith.

We wouldn’t set out on a road trip without some idea of where we’re headed. In the same way, we need goals as our life’s signposts. They tell us where we are and where we’re going.

Think of it like using Google Maps: the app can’t guide you until it knows your current location. The same is true in life. Before you can move forward, you have to ask yourself:

Where am I right now?

For me, the answer looked like this:

I was overwhelmed with too much “stuff”
I was dealing with physical pain
I struggled to set healthy boundaries
My relationships lacked kindness
Financial stress was draining my energy

So how do you set REAL goals when life feels so out of balance?

What Is REAL?

R.E.A.L. stands for Reflect, Engage, Act, and Learn—a process that can help you set meaningful goals and live a purpose-driven life.

Retreat, Review, Rejuvenate

First, pause. Step back from the noise. Take time to refill your bucket.
Ask yourself:

What routines are serving me?
What habits are hurting me?
What’s the version of me that’s hiding underneath the overwhelm?

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4

Reflect

Where are you right now? Be honest. Your brain is wired to keep you safe—and stuck. Fear of change is real. But when you reflect with grace and faith, you start to move forward.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” – Mark 10:45

Engage

Connect—with God, with others, with your vision. This creates momentum. You’re not meant to do this alone.

Identify: Who are you? Who do you want to be?
See Galatians 5:22–23 for a picture of Spirit-filled character.
Plan: Surrender, survey your current season, and pray over your path.
Implement: Use reminders, checklists, routines.
Effort: Real change requires real commitment.

Act

Goals won’t reach themselves. Take even the smallest steps.

Eliminate past failures from your mind.
Set emotional boundaries—negotiate your emotions, don’t let them rule you.
Stay calm, consistent, and determined.

“Finally, whatever is true… think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

Learn

Learning helps you adapt, grow, and thrive. Ask yourself:

What worked?
What didn’t?
What can I try next?

“Great is the Lord… they will tell of the power of your awesome works.” – Psalm 145:3–7

Bonus: Live With Intentionality

You are one person with a limited number of hours each day. Instead of doing more, do what matters most. Focus on:

Boundaries
Values
Results

Each day, choose one area of your life to make “perfectly imperfect.” Take a picture of your progress—not for social media, but for yourself. Save it in a digital journal. Look back and celebrate how far you’ve come.

Don’t Ignore the “L” in REAL: Limits

Lack of time
Lack of money
Lack of energy

These aren’t excuses—they’re boundaries to be respected and worked around. Get them out of your head and onto paper. Write them down. Work with them, not against them.

Your REAL Life Awaits

Setting goals isn’t about hustle or perfection—it’s about intention, direction, and trust. Let your life reflect your faith, your values, and the person God created you to be.

You’ve got this.
Let’s be REAL.