How to Decide Which Goals to Pursue (Without Losing Your Mind)

Jannene Roth
Jul 25
3 min read

If you're anything like me, you've probably had a notebook full of ideas, dreams, and to-do lists that look like the blueprint for three different lifetimes. You want to run a marathon, start a business, write a book, travel the world, declutter your house, become fluent in Italian... and maybe finally clean the junk drawer.

But with limited time, energy, and resources, how do you decide which goals are worth chasing right now?

The truth is: not all goals deserve your attention at the same time. And the sooner we accept that, the easier life becomes.

Let’s talk about how to sort through the chaos and pick the goals that matter most right now.

Step 1: Start With “Why”

Simon Sinek said it best:

“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”

This applies to your goals, too.

Ask yourself:

“Why do I want this?”

Not why you should want it, not why your best friend is doing it, not why Instagram keeps showing you reels of people living their ‘best life’ on mountaintops in Bali.

Dig for your real reason.

For example, I once set a goal to wake up at 5 a.m. every day. Why? Because successful people did it, apparently. But guess what? I hated it. I was exhausted and cranky. It didn’t align with my lifestyle or rhythms.

When I switched my goal to “protect my creative time in the evenings,” it actually worked because it served my why: having the mental space to write.

Step 2: Rank by Urgency and Impact

Picture this: You’re juggling ten balls, but only three are glass and the rest are rubber. The rubber ones bounce. The glass ones shatter.

Your time and energy are the same. Some goals can wait. Others can’t.

Here’s a quick trick:

Make a 2x2 grid:

Low Impact High Impact

Low Urgency Archive it Schedule later

High Urgency Delegate or drop Do this first

For instance, if your finances are stressing you out daily, a goal like “create a budget and pay down debt” might be high urgency and high impact. That moves to the top of your list.

“Learn to crochet plush animals” might be fun but maybe it’s not urgent. Save it for later.

Step 3: Test Drive Your Goal

Before committing fully, give it a mini try.

Want to start a YouTube channel? Record three practice videos.

Thinking of changing careers? Interview someone in that field.

Want to run a half-marathon? Try a 5K training plan for two weeks.

Step 4: Ask, “Does This Goal Align With My Season?”

Not every dream fits every season of life.

I wanted to write a novel last year, but I was knee-deep in moving, job stress, and caregiving. I had to shelve it temporarily. That didn’t mean I was giving up on it, it just wasn’t now.

Ask yourself:

Do I have the capacity for this?

Is this goal life-giving or draining?

What season am I in: building, healing, recovering, launching?

You’re not failing if you’re prioritizing based on what you can reasonably handle. You’re being wise.

Step 5: Gut Check: Does It Light You Up?

Sometimes logic isn’t the only test. Passion counts.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do that.”

– Howard Thurman

If a goal makes your stomach flutter with excitement, if it feels a little terrifying in the best way it’s probably worth exploring.

One of my favorite goals I ever pursued was launching a side business. I had zero clue what I was doing. I was scared. But the idea lit me up. It still does.

Bonus: Let Go of “Someday Goals” That Weigh You Down

It’s okay to admit that something is no longer your dream.

You don’t have to become a lawyer because your 16-year-old self said so. You don’t have to start a bakery just because you once mentioned it out loud.

Set down the “maybe someday” goals that make you feel heavy. Keep the ones that make you feel alive.

TL;DR: Quick Filters to Choose the Right Goal