Trail-Tested: 5 Steps to Achieve Your Goals

Growth doesn't always come from doing more. Sometimes, it comes from being forced to stop. This past month, a back injury sidelined my running and gave me something I rarely ever have: space. Space to rest, space to reflect on my journey, and space to boldly envision what’s next. As I sit enjoying a quiet, snowy morning at my mother and father-in-law's cabin in the North Carolina mountains, I find myself gratefully looking back on the road that brought me here and seeking discernment for the path ahead. I am feeling refreshed and ready to go wherever God leads.

What began as a season of frustration soon became a restorative one that provided tremendous clarity. With time away from training, I focused instead on healing and began planning ahead for 2026 with renewed intention—not just athletically, but professionally and personally as well. One goal rose clearly to the surface: running a Boston-qualifying marathon. For me, that means chasing a 3:05 finish, shaving 25 minutes off my current personal record in the process. Alongside that ambition is a desire to step into the next level of my career and earn a promotion at work, and, on the home front, the ever-hopeful goal of getting my three-year-old to sleep all the way through the night. Each goal is big in its own way. None will be reached by accident, shortcuts, or sheer motivation alone. They will require patience, discipline, and purpose-driven action.

What about you? Whether you’re chasing a finish line, building a new relationship, seeking a promotion, trying to lose a few pounds, or focused on becoming debt-free, success never happens by accident. The five steps below are trail-tested tools for reaching any goal. They are simple, but intentionally hard—because meaningful goals demand effort. This is the framework I use to pursue achievement with purpose, one mile, one decision, and one season at a time.

1. Slow down

Before moving toward a new goal, you have to ease off the pace. We live in a culture that celebrates constant motion—thousands of emails, texts, and smartphone alerts, packed calendars, and nonstop input. But clarity isn’t found in hurry; it’s found in the quiet moments. Scripture tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Stillness restores perspective.

With that in mind, it's time to intentionally step away from distractions. Silence your phone. Spend time alone in nature. Write. Go for a walk without headphones. On the morning of the Rim to River 100, I chose quiet before the chaos—sitting with a verse from James that centered me before a long, demanding race. That moment of calm wasn’t passive; it anchored me.

When everything is loud, it’s impossible to hear what truly matters. Turning down the noise allows your thoughts, priorities, and convictions to come back into focus. Slowing your pace helps you reset and prepares your mind and heart for what’s ahead.

2. Clarify your why

Once you have created space, start asking deeper questions.

• Why am I here?

• What drives me?

• What lessons have I learned through struggle that could serve someone else?

• Where am I being called, not just pulled?

• How do I define success?

These questions are not meant to be answered quickly. They are meant to be lived with, prayed through, and revisited as you grow.

It is also important to keep in mind that purpose is not always the same as passion. Passion can change with seasons, energy levels, or emotions. But purpose is much steadier—it's rooted in faith and expressed through discipline, growth, and service.

When I ran my first ultramarathon as a new dad, the Chopawamsic 50K, I realized something important: running wasn’t just for me anymore. It was an opportunity to model commitment and joy to my daughter and to connect deeply with others — a reminder that growth isn’t only about speed or accolades, but about the people we bring along with us.

Your purpose may stretch you. It may require effort you didn’t think you had. But when your direction is clear, it gives meaning to your effort—especially on the hard days.

3. Set clear, actionable goals

Purpose gives you direction. Goals give you structure. Vague goals lead to vague results. That’s why it's helpful to use SMART goals, which means your goals should be:

• Specific – Clearly defined, not general

• Measurable – You can track progress

• Achievable – Realistic for your current season

• Relevant – Aligned with your purpose and values

• Time‑bound – Attached to a deadline

For example:Instead of “get in shape,” aim for “run three times a week for 30 minutes by the end of the next month.”Instead of “grow financially,” aim for “save $1,000 in six months.”

Write your goals down. Putting them on paper turns abstract hopes into concrete commitments. At the Revel White Mountains Marathon, I set clear pacing and fueling goals—and even though I missed my time target by seconds, the intention behind the goal reframed the outcome. It reminded me that success isn’t measured only by the clock, but by effort, perseverance, and growth.

Scripture reminds us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). It’s not about comparison or outcomes, but about faithful obedience—consistently showing up, staying disciplined, and trusting God with each step forward.

4. Build a workable plan

A goal without a plan is just intention. Now it’s time to break your goal down into daily and weekly actions. Think small and practical:

• What habits are no longer serving you? What will you change?

• What time will you ______? (exercise, read, write, pray, etc.)

• How will you protect this time?

• When will you rest?

• How will you measure progress?

• Who or what will help keep you accountable? A spouse, friend, mentor, or coach?

• What is one small daily habit that will move you closer to your goal?
  

Also, anticipate obstacles. Fatigue, doubt, busyness, and fear will show up. Plan for them now instead of being surprised later. During the Yeti 100 miler, gear choices and preparation strategies mattered more than any single race plan — from extra headlamps to thoughtful nutrition — because anticipating every challenge helped steady my mind when conditions turned tough.

Wisdom isn’t avoiding difficulty—it’s preparing for it. As Napoleon Hill said, “The body achieves what the mind believes.” Planning matters, but belief and action make it real.

5. Execute Relentlessly

This is where everything becomes real. Planning feels safe. Action feels exposed. Once you start, there is always the possibility of failure, discomfort, and judgment—from others and from yourself. But growth only happens when you move from thinking to doing. As Tony Robbins puts it, “Knowledge isn’t power. Execution is.” Until you act, even the best intentions remain unrealized.

You will not always feel motivated. That’s entirely normal. When motivation fades, return to your purpose. Remember why you started and what you’re working toward. On the dark miles of the Rim to River 100, when every step felt heavy and my body begged for rest, I kept asking myself “What story do I want to tell?” That question — not speed or finish time — pulled me forward.

Action is where faith is tested—and strengthened. Start imperfectly. Start scared. Just start.

Final Thoughts

Progress is not about being fearless or flawless. It’s about showing up consistently, executing your plan, and taking the next step—one day, one mile, and one decision at a time. Like the sunrise, progress doesn’t rush or demand perfection; it simply arrives each morning, offering a fresh chance to start again. As we step into a new year, I wish you clarity, resilience, and the confidence to always keep moving forward. May each new sunrise remind you that growth is ongoing and possibility is renewed daily. May the year ahead bring you happiness, meaningful progress, and success in whatever goals matter most to you. Happy New Year and God Bless!