The mindset motivation and method you need to smash your goals
At Vincita, we’re obsessed with high performance—and what better way to kick off 2025 than with the ultimate goal-setting guide on mindset shifts, motivation hacks, and methods to achieve your biggest goals? Whether you’re ready to level up professionally, personally, or both, this blog is your starting point.
Here are the books, podcasts, and proven strategies that will help you own 2025, all personally reviewed by Vincita’s founder, Caroline Kay.
The Productivity Powerhouse – My Favourite Book of All Time
If there’s one book you need to read this year, it’s The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. Hands down, my favourite productivity book. Why? Because it simplifies success. It’s all about those daily choices that stack up to extraordinary results.
The writing is a joy, the storytelling is addictive, and each chapter feels like gasoline on a fire. Seriously, this book will light you up. It’s been a game-changer for me and for every single client I’ve recommended it to.
One Pro Tip: Don’t rush it. Just 15 minutes of reading a day will completely shift how you approach your goals.
Oh, and trust me—you’ll become a productivity machine by the time you’re done.
The Mindset Shifter – A Love-Hate Relationship with Atomic Habits
Now, let’s talk about Atomic Habits by James Clear. I’ll be honest: I didn’t love it. The tone felt a bit too analytical and masculine for my taste. That said, the mindset shifts it offers are undeniable. I stuck with it to the end, and here’s why you should too:
Top Takeaway: Instead of focusing on what you want to do, focus on who you want to become.
For example, rather than saying, “I want to lose weight,” I reframed my goal in 2024 to become a runner. This simple shift changed everything. Suddenly, every decision—from what I grabbed from the fridge to how I spent my mornings—aligned with the identity of “a runner.”
The result? Not only did I hit my goal, but I surpassed it, dropping 7lbs more than I planned. Plus, I felt fitter and sexier than I did in my 20s. Double win!
The Podcast Gem: Mel Robbins on Goal Setting That Sticks
If books aren’t your thing (no judgment here), podcasts are an excellent alternative. This year, I dived deep into goal-setting episodes, and Mel Robbins’ podcast stood out.
Her episode on why we fail at goals (spoiler: it’s not because you’re lazy) completely changed my approach. The culprit? Perfectionism.
Mel’s Advice:
To combat perfectionism, take the pressure off and make your goals super general.
For example, instead of trying to do SMART goals such as, “I want to double my income by March,” try, “I want to grow my income this year.” Once the pressure lifts, you’ll feel freer to get clear on what really matters to you and setting goals becomes much easier.
The Vincita Goal-Setting Framework: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to smash your 2025 goals? Here’s the method that works:
Step 1: Dream Big
Grab a notebook (or the Notes app on your phone) and write down 5 things you really want this year. No limits. No judgment. Just let your imagination run wild.
Step 2: Find Your Why
For each goal, answer these three questions:
- Why is this important to you?
- Why do you want this change?
- Why now?
Don’t overthink it. Let your answers flow.
Step 3: Define the ‘Will’ and the ‘Way’
Now, break your goals into actionable steps:
- What are 3 big actions you’ll take to reach each goal?
- What are 3 small steps you can take today? (Now is the time to make them SMART – specific, measurable, relevant and time-bound.)
For example:
- Big Action: Pitch my dream client by March.
- Small Step Today: Research their website and draft an email template in my deep work time.
Step 4: Progress Over Perfection
The only way we truly fail is by doing nothing. If you hit your goal, celebrate! If you don’t, you’ll still learn something valuable. Focus on making progress, and you’ll be miles ahead of where you are today.
Final Thoughts
Achieving your goals doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right mindset, motivation, and method, you can create unstoppable momentum in 2025.
And remember: whether you’re reading The Slight Edge, reframing your identity with Atomic Habits, or taking Mel Robbins’ advice to ditch perfectionism, the key is to keep moving forward.
Here’s to smashing your goals, one small step at a time.
