Stop Hustling, Start Planning: A 5-Step Goal Reset Guide

There’s a weird pressure we put on ourselves to always be “hustling.” Always grinding. Always adding more to the plate. For a while, I thought that’s what progress looked like.

But eventually, I realized I wasn’t actually moving forward—I was just moving faster… in circles.

At some point, I had to hit pause and ask:
“What am I even working toward—and is it still the right thing?”

That question led me to create a simple goal reset I come back to anytime I feel stuck, scattered, or low-key overwhelmed. Here’s how I do it.

Step 1: Zoom All the Way Out

I open a blank page and ask two questions:

• What do I actually want right now?

• What season of life am I in?

This helps me stop planning like I’m some ideal version of myself with unlimited energy and zero distractions. Planning from where you are—not where you wish you were—is a game changer.

Step 2: Audit What’s On Your Plate

Next, I do a brain dump of everything I’m currently trying to manage:

• Projects

• Goals

• Responsibilities

• Random “shoulds” I’ve picked up from podcasts or LinkedIn

Then I go through and mark what’s truly essential, what’s optional, and what’s honestly just noise.

Spoiler: there’s always more noise than I thought.

Step 3: Define 1–3 Focus Areas

This part is simple but powerful. I choose up to 3 focus areas for the next 1–3 months. These are not tasks—they’re themes.

Examples:

• Build momentum at work

• Prioritize mental health

• Improve daily routine

These become my filters. If something doesn’t align with a focus area, I rethink it—or let it go.

Step 4: Set a Simple, Measurable Win

Once I have my focus areas, I define one clear, realistic goal for each.

For example:
Focus: Improve daily routine
Goal: Stick to a 10-minute morning reset 4x/week for the next month

The key here is realistic. Something you can actually complete and feel good about—without needing a 27-tab Notion setup.

Step 5: Build a Rhythm Around It

This is where it all ties together. I plug my new goals into my weekly rhythm (the one from my last post) and make sure there’s room to actually do the thing.

Whether it’s a Monday focus block or a Friday reset, I don’t just set goals—I schedule space to live them.

Final Thought: Hustle Isn’t the Goal—Clarity Is

If you’ve been running at full speed without really knowing why, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. This goal reset isn’t magic, but it’s helped me slow down, get clear, and move forward on purpose.

Try it. Customize it. Scrap the parts that don’t fit.

The point isn’t to be perfectly productive—it’s to make sure you’re building a life you actually want to live.