Looking for more confidence? To make more of an impact? To achieve balance? Award-winning Executive Coach Lucy Gernon is here to help…
Spring is the perfect time to dream big, set bold goals and make the changes you’ve been wishing for. But more than just setting intentions, it’s about building a sustainable plan to achieve them.
As a coach specialising in empowering women in leadership with tools to achieve their career goals without sacrificing the important things in life, I’ve developed the Believe It to Achieve It Success Model™, a proven 5-step process guaranteed to work if you follow the steps exactly.
Here’s how to use this method to make 2025 your best year yet.
1. Clarify What You Want
Most people don’t achieve their goals because they lack clarity. Start by imagining your best possible self, when everything has gone as well as it possibly could. Consider health, career, relationships, and finances. Write down exactly what success looks like in each area. Even if these dreams feel far-fetched, acknowledging them is the first step to bringing them into reality.
Tip: Complete a “Legacy Exercise” and let this inspire your goals. Ask yourself “How do I want to be remembered?” “What do I want others to say about me?” “What regrets might I have?”
2. Set SMART Goals
A Harvard business study demonstrated that 83 per cent of people don’t have goals. 14 per cent have a plan in mind and only 3 per cent have their goals written down. The study showed that the people who have their goals written down are 10 times more successful than those who don’t. SMART goals aren’t just for business. Dreams become actionable plans when they are specific, measurable,
attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Writing down your goals not only makes them clearer but also increases your chances of success. So be precise: instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” try “I want to complete a half marathon by June 2025.”
Action: For each goal, list potential obstacles and strategies to overcome them. This will help you stay proactive and resilient. This step is key and most people skip it!
3. Take Imperfect Action
Often, we wait for the perfect moment or feel paralysed by the fear of failure. In 2025, let’s banish these fears and adopt a growth mindset. Inspired, imperfect action is what creates momentum. Each step forward builds your self-belief, creating a cycle of growth and success. Remember, the opportunity you’re waiting for is usually just outside your comfort zone. So set our eyes on your intentions and keep going until you get there.
Mantra: Confidence comes from taking action, not from waiting or overthinking.
4. See It & Believe It
Visualisation is a secret weapon of the most successful people. Your brain can’t differentiate between real and imagined experiences, so when you visualise achieving your goals, your mind begins to believe it. Create a vision board with images that inspire you and practice daily affirmations to reinforce your belief in yourself.
Exercise: Spend a few minutes each day visualising your future success. Feel the emotions as if you’ve already accomplished your goals. Then feel that vision as your current reality.
5. Seek Support to Achieve It
Finally, surround yourself with people who uplift you. Accountability partners or coaches can make all the difference. Sharing your goals
with someone who can offer guidance, help with mindset and keep you accountable dramatically increases your chances of success. According to Harvard, your reference group is the most likely indicator of what you’ll achieve, so surround yourself with others who share your vision.
Reflect: Who can you reach out to for support to ensure you reach your goals?
Ready to Start?
Dreaming big is only the first step. You also need strategy, tools and focus. With my Leadership & Life Planner, you’ll have everything you need to stay on track, including a free step-by-step digital course on goal setting, featuring my Believe It to Achieve It Success Model, specifically for ambitious women leaders who want to excel at work while maintaining balance. Wishing you so much success, balance and happiness for 2025 – go chase your dreams.
Lucy Gernon is an award-winning Executive Coach specialising in empowering women in corporate leadership to lead with more confidence, impact and balance. As founder of the 3SIXTY Leaders Club, Lucy combines her corporate expertise with proven success frameworks to help women leaders reach their potential. Discover more at lucygernon.com