In our lives, we carry the responsibility to thrive, to grow, and to take pride—even if only a little—in our achievements.

Looking back at my own journey, I’ve realized that the quality of my goal setting was… let’s say, not the finest. Emotions, self-image, and day-dreaming often influenced the clarity and realism of my goals. Many times, I simply didn’t see the whole picture and lacked the foresight to understand the future consequences of what I was aiming for.

I’m not advocating for becoming emotionless or perfectly unbiased. We couldn’t do that even if we tried. What I’m saying is: all parts of us are welcome—but with the right measure and the right weight.

In coaching, goal setting is the very first and most crucial step of the GROW model. Without a tangible, clear, and real objective, coaching simply cannot unfold. It’s the springboard—the point from which all progress begins. That’s why it deserves enough time and honest reflection to ensure the goal is right, meaningful, and attainable.

This process often brings project management to mind, yet in reality it’s far more complex. Values, perspectives, emotions, personal history—all of them influence how we set and pursue our goals.