Success Advice
7 Alternative Ways to Get Things Done if You Hate Goals

You‘ve heard the productivity gurus, read the time-management blogs, and heard from the motivational speakers. Everyone repeats the mantra that goals are what get you to your dreams. Goals. Goals. Goals. Yet, what if you hate goals? What if you find goals stifling and preventing you from being your most creative? What if goals feel like you’re imprisoned and de-motivates you from achieving things?
The good news is that you can still move forward without goals, no matter what all the experts and speakers tell you. Over the past several years, I’ve written more than 200 blog posts, written 5 self-published books, and have built a popular blog about starting over in love and life.
Honestly, it wasn’t goals that kept me going. It was something deeper – a strong internal drive and following my purpose. I let my purpose lead the way and took action every day in pursuit of that purpose to empower others who were going through their darkest hour.
If you hate goals, here are 7 alternative strategies to get things done and move you towards your dream:
1. Set up a daily priority list
Wake up every morning and write down 1-3 items that are a priority for you for the day. This is your to-do list and you write down the most important, high value tasks that you need to complete. What three things, if completed today, would make today a success? If one task by itself would take up a lot of time, put one task down. If you can do two or three, add them to your to do list. Each time you complete an item on the to-do list, cross it off and celebrate. Start over each day with a high priority to-do list.
“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” – Marc Anthony
2. Build up your daily habits
You don’t need goals but you can use an even more motivational tool to help you get where you’re trying to go. It’s called habits. A habit is a daily routine or activity you do to help you achieve your end result. You build up habits by starting small and doing that activity every day. You hold yourself accountable by writing it down, telling someone about it and having a small celebration if you complete your habit for the day. Turn your life goals or dreams to daily habits and you’re sure to move forward on it.
3. Work during your peak hours
You might notice over your lifetime that there are certain hours of the day that are your peak hours. Figure out when yours are and work during those hours. Your peak hours are your most efficient and productive hours. For some people, this is early in the morning while for others, it’s late at night. Find the time that is most productive for you and schedule in the tasks that need to be completed for the day.
4. Work on what you’re passionate about
More than likely, you’re procrastinating or avoiding certain tasks because you’re not passionate about them. If you don’t know what you’re passionate about, try figuring out what it is you’re not passionate about. If it’s your current job, find ways to transition out of it. If it’s particular parts of your job, look for a way to change roles so you’re working on things you enjoy and assigning things to others which you don’t enjoy. Outside of your work life, experiment with different activities to see what lights you up.
5. Do work that doesn’t feel like work
Try to work on the tasks that bring you the most amount of joy. If you’re doing something and it doesn’t feel like work, do more of that. It doesn’t have to fill your pockets, it just has to fill your soul. When you’re doing work or activities that fulfill you, you’ll start seeing how easy it is to complete the task that’s in front of you. Also, when you work with joy, you’ll see more opportunities, success and luck show up.
6. Allow inspiration to guide you
Instead of goals, try using inspiration. This has been particularly helpful to me as a writer. Use inspiration and creativity to motivate you into action. Cultivate your inspiration by putting yourself in situations that will inspire you. This could be watching movies, observing art, reading, hearing from others in your field or being in nature. Use the inspiration as it strikes you to do work that fulfills your mission in the world. Raise your inspiration level by putting yourself in inspirational situations.
7. Live the life you see for yourself
Many of us are working on a life that we want to have some day. Goals and dreams are all in the “some day” category but you don’t have to wait to get there. Live everyday like you’ve already achieved your dreams. Imagine if you’ve achieved what you’ve wanted in life. Think about how you would spend your days and what feelings you would have each day. Do those activities and cultivate those feelings. Fill your days with activities that help you feel free, abundant, kind, generous, creative, and of service. Imagine that some day is today.
“Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” — Farrah Gray
Do you use goals to help move you forward? What are some alternatives to goal setting that you use in your life? Please share in the comments below!
Did You Know
How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub
Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution. (more…)
Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
-
Research your topic at night.
-
Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
-
Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
-
A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
-
A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
Success Advice
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)
The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)
Success Advice
What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)
Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)
-
Health & Fitness4 weeks ago
The Surprising Link Between Exercise and Higher Income
-
Entrepreneurs4 weeks ago
What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
-
Change Your Mindset3 weeks ago
7 Goal-Setting Mistakes That Are Secretly Sabotaging Your Success
-
Success Advice2 weeks ago
What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)
-
Success Advice2 weeks ago
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)
-
Business1 week ago
The Entrepreneur’s Reading List That Transforms Ideas Into Empires
-
Business1 week ago
What Every Fitness Business Owner Needs To Know About Relocating Their Gym
1 Comment