Small Shifts, Big Impact: A Gentle Approach to Goal Setting and Personal Growth

What if the "big breakthrough" you've been waiting for isn't actually the key to your growth?

For years I believed that real change had to look dramatic.

I told myself that once I overhauled my routines, re-did my entire schedule, found the "perfect" planner and gave my life a complete one-eighty, then I'd finally feel good enough, worthy enough, fulfilled, accomplished.

So I chased those big leaps.

I bought new systems.

I started over every Monday.

I pinned every single routine I found on Instagram that promised me I'd be a better, happier, healthier person if only I could commit to it.

I promised myself that this time would be different.

The truth was, none of this actually led to any true progress. It just led to burnout.

Because behind the scenes, I was flailing. I was panicking and throwing spaghetti at the wall just hoping that this time would be different and that this set of lifestyle changes would finally be the ones that would stick. I was trying to flip a switch when what I really needed was to adjust the dial.

It wasn't until I started slowing down, trusting the process and leaning into smaller shifts, tiny, doable changes, that things started to actually stick. And my life began to change.

Now just in my day to day routines, but in how I felt. How I showed up. How I moved throughout my days. I was more intentional, more aligned and felt way less pressure than I ever have before.

Why small shifts actually create big results

There's something powerful that happens when we stop trying to change everything at once. We start to feel capable again.

Psychologists call this the "compound effect" - small, consistent actions that build over time.

One glass of water.

One morning journaling session.

One boundary honored.

I see it in my planner every time I check in with my Weekly Actions. It's not about perfection. It's about movement. Even if that movement is a tiny 1% shift - it still creates momentum.

A quite possibly the most important part?

Small shifts are kind. Small shifts show us that we actually are capable of showing up for ourselves. Small shifts boost our confidence and compound until we're closer to our goals than we ever were before without even realizing it!

Small shifts work with our current season of life - not against it.

What small shifts might look like in your life

If you're not seeing a massive transformation, that doesn't mean you're not growing. Your growth happens in real life - in the details. And often, it sounds more like a whisper than a roar.

Here's what those small-but-significant shifts might actually look like in your day-to-day:

• You say "Let me get back to you." instead of committing on the spot to yet another school fundraiser, party, or volunteer gig that secretly drains you.
• You close your laptop mid-task and step outside to reset - not because you've earned a break, but because your body whispered, "Hey, I need one.".
• You open your Weekly Actions on a Sunday night and realize, "no wonder I feel off - I've been living in my Work & Learning category for three weeks straight!".
• You stop color-coding every single planner page that you're only doing for Instagram and start getting messy. Writing honest to-do's and crossing things off - because clarity is more important than aesthetics.
• You smile when you check off seemingly simple tasks like "drink a glass of water" or "text ___ back", because you're finally celebrating what actually matters - not just what looks impressive on paper.
• A missed goal doesn't derail your whole week anymore. You adjust, re-write it, and keep moving - no shame spiral in sight. No "I blew it", just a shift forward.
• You catch yourself thinking "what would feel good right now?" instead of "What should I be doing to stay productive right now?".

These moments may seem small, but they're powerful indicators of growth. They show that you're becoming more self-aware, more intentional, and more aligned with the life you're building.

Small shifts to try this week

If you're ready to feel progress without pressure, here are a few small shifts that have made a big impact in my own journey.

1. Set your intentions every morning. Before checking your phone, open your Daily Intentions Journal and set your intentions for the day - before social media or anyone else sets them for you.
2. Commit to your Weekly Reflections + Actions. Taking 15 minutes every week to reflect on my week and set my actions for the next was a game-changer in my progress and growth. In fact, if you do nothing else with our Goal-Setting System, let it be this. This simple practice helps to catch where you're thriving and where you may be stretched too thin and allows you to check-in and realign before everything starts to fall apart.
3. Celebrate one small win each day. Literally just write it down. Some days mine were as simple as "I drank water before my morning coffee". Acknowledging your wins, no matter how small, reinforces the progress and rewires your mindset.

And when you need a nudge to stay on track or feel supported, ClubMäksē is a lifeline for me - monthly coaching, community encouragement, and tools that keep my head and heart aligned with what matters most. 

It's not about doing more - it's about noticing more

You don't have to overfaul your entire life to change it.

You just need to notice where you are now - and shift it by even one degree.

What's one small shift you can make today?

Maybe it's blocking off time for a quick meditation or check-in before your next meeting.

Maybe it's jotting down just one thing you're proud of.

Maybe it's shutting down your computer at 5pm, just once this week.

Start small. Because small shifts, made consistently, become your foundation for lasting growth.

Your turn: Let's make it real

What's one small shift you're committing to this week?

Share in the comments so we can celebrate with you!

And, if you want a gentle, guided way to start building intention into your day, our Daily Intentions Journal and Evening Reflections Journal set you up with the perfect foundation to help you stay aligned - even when life gets messy.

💛 Remember: You don't need to wait for the next big thing. Start small, just begin.